Best route to find a job in Singapore

[Kryptos]

I am currently looking for a job in Singapore. I hold a master's degree and have the relevant experience but currently live in South Africa and the costs to travel to Singapore on a hit-and-miss basis is prohibitive for me.

What is the best route to follow to apply for jobs in Singapore? I have have been visting the internet job sites and applying for jobs there and if there is a serious offer I would be willing to travel. However I want to ensure that my applications are noted and taken seriously.

Any help, suggestions and experiences would be appreciated.

[Strong Eagle]

What kind of work do you do? Makes a difference as to the approach to take.

[Kryptos]

What kind of work do you do? Makes a difference as to the approach to take.

Thanks for the reply.

I am a Senior Software Developer and specialise in RPG coding on the IBM AS/400. I also code in C#/ASP.NET and am very well versed in SQL.

My Master's degree was in Chemistry so I have that experience that I can combine with my coding skillsl. However I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science as well.

[sierra2469alpha]

Ah...RPG and the AS/400 - takes me back!!!

PL/I IMS DB/DC, CICS COBOL, DB2 - oh those were the days!

Good luck with your search! Kind regards, P

[Kryptos]

Ah...RPG and the AS/400 - takes me back!!!

PL/I IMS DB/DC, CICS COBOL, DB2 - oh those were the days!

Good luck with your search! Kind regards, P

Hey with AS/400 becoming iSeries and then i5 and with wonderful things like freeform RPG and embedded SQL in RPG it is far from the beast it was back then This week a SQL stored proc became an RPG stored proc with 75% performance increase

But on a serious note, what would the best angle be to take to find a job in this sector of the market?

[Kryptos]

I still require info on this. Any help will be really appreciated.

[Strong Eagle]

Short answer: Senior developer good. RPG bad. You've got a better chance of winning the Singapore lotto than finding an AS400 around Asia. Yes, they exist, but certainly not mainstream.

What works against you, besides experience outside of the mainstream, is that there are zillions of IT people who tend to keep wages down. What works for you is that in spite of the zillion people companies are importing specific skill sets because they are not available.

Three areas: Leading edge web technologies, security and networking, and application/industry specific experience. If you are trying to get a job on the basis of technical skills only it won't work. You'll need to demonstrate superior programming and design skills and have in depth knowledge of an industry or two.

Unless you have some industry contacts it may be a hard push to get a job directly in Singapore, not impossible, but with your skill sets and seniority you need to find a way to get around the recruitment process used to weed out the aforementioned zillions of people.

Your best bet might be to hook up with a multi-national with offices in Singapore with the specific request/demand to be posted into Singapore/Asia. I know a couple of folks that have done this... a year in the home country, then a transfer.

Otherwise, you'll need to find the names of IT managers and try to set up direct interviews. I think headhunters will be worthless. They probably cannot spell RPG and in any event, if you don't match all the boxes on their checklist you won't get an interview anyway.

Bottom line: You probably have the experience that would make you a valuable addition. The question is how to get yourself in front of the right people.

[Kryptos]

Thanks for the informative answer.

Just a bit of clarity needed on some of the points:

I have seen quite a number of AS/400 RPG positions on the Singapore job sites. A site listing anything from 1 to 10 jobs just posted in March 2008 alone. Is the occurance of the AS/400 really that low? Are you including iSeries / i5 in the equation or just companies that still use the AS/400 specifically?

When you are talking about specific skill sets being important as they are not available, are you referring to RPG?

Now another question. Currently I am earning S$5300 according to today's exchange rates as a Senior Developer in South Africa. In all honesty, what do you think are the chances that I could match or better that working in Singapore in the same industry?

And finally, I currently work in the healthcare industry and have extensive experience in the processing of medical claims. I have also worked as a technical software tester. And due to my chemistry background I have experience of the chemical industry. Would any of these increase my chances?

Thanks again for you help.

[Strong Eagle]

Thanks for the informative answer.

Just a bit of clarity needed on some of the points:

Answers inline, below.

I have seen quite a number of AS/400 RPG positions on the Singapore job sites. A site listing anything from 1 to 10 jobs just posted in March 2008 alone. Is the occurance of the AS/400 really that low? Are you including iSeries / i5 in the equation or just companies that still use the AS/400 specifically?

I based my judgment on the equipment I have seen on various contracts I have taken up. You clearly are more tuned into the AS400 market, and thus, I probably have to eat my words.

When you are talking about specific skill sets being important as they are not available, are you referring to RPG?

No, I am talking about industry or vertical specific skills and/or leading edge web and security skills. Also people who know how to set up complex server environments. Possibly RPG may be in demand, I don't know (see crow eating, above). I suspect that not many RPG knowledgable graduates are being cranked out in the era of web programming.

Now another question. Currently I am earning S$5300 according to today's exchange rates as a Senior Developer in South Africa. In all honesty, what do you think are the chances that I could match or better that working in Singapore in the same industry?

A tough question and maybe SMS will chime in as well. People with 6 to 8 years in a technical environment and with a solid set of skills can earn S$6K to 8K per month, with top specializations earning more. Generally, the MNC's appear to pay a higher wage, although that may not be true for local companies that have high technical needs. So, I'd say you are in the ballpark. S$6K is not rich living.

You can download a salary survey from

http://www.kellyglobal.net/res/content/ ... yguide.pdf

Personally, I think the numbers are a bit low, especially for expats.

And finally, I currently work in the healthcare industry and have extensive experience in the processing of medical claims. I have also worked as a technical software tester. And due to my chemistry background I have experience of the chemical industry. Would any of these increase my chances?

Healthcare is a relatively booming business in Singapore due to the growth of medical tourism. Most have programs in place for increasing automation in all aspects of hospital management. Singapore competes against Bangkok. Parkway Health and Lakeway? come to mind as large outfits. Medical records experience might be a plus. Email me privately for more info.

You might also consider the pharmceuticals business. Also consider joining CRCE (http://www.aasingapore.com). The job listings continue to grow and there is opportunity to learn and network.

Thanks again for you help.

Sure. Anytime. Might not have all the answers but I'll just make up what I don't know.

[hututu]

this is a good place

[mer84]

I know some companies who are currently looking for 2+ yrs of experience in AS/400 and COBOL/400 or RPG.If any of you are interested, let me know.

[mondayhue]

anyone have any reccomendation for home based jobs?