Chances of finding an IT job with little experience?

[krptykcookies]

Cheers for the heads up, but assuming one does go through the contract with a fine toothed comb, make sure it's all good, do the bosses usually stick to the contracts? Or are there a lot of bosses who kind of treat contracts like a list of things that would happen in ideal circumstances, but in reality...

Much as I hate to admit it, and from my experience, the local employers are dodgy, though not all of them. There are some decent ones.

For example, in my case, I was 'promised' the perks but upon starting on the job there were 'this story and that story', like for example 'well you will have to be confirmed first then you will be entitled to them'.

This is a true account of someone I know who got employed by a local employer. He was a non-Singaporean. He had gotten a 5-figure salary upon securing his position as a sales personnel. However 6 months into his job and upon securing his first major deal for the company I heard they kicked him out. Now I don't know if it was because of his salary (too high) that they kicked him out but I do know after he was fired they took in somebody on a payscale that was less than his to look after the deal that the earlier guy had secured. The guy is still awaiting his case to be heard.

So there you go, the things that local employers can do.

[krptykcookies]

krptykcookies,

Very good observation. And spot on as well.

However, some MNC's here aren't much better because the HR departments, including the Managers therein, are often local as are usually most mid-level managers.

So, just to add my 2¢ worth, walk into any employment here in Singapore with both eyes open and in observation mode and not pie-in-the-sky mode.

sms

With the MNCs the difference is the brand name. If they have an easy (and dodgy) hiring and firing policy it will affect their name. With offices worldwide I doubt they want to be dodgy with their hiring and firing policies.

As for the locally owned employers (tho not all), their only main aim is their self interest. Once an employee ceases to be of any use anymore they will find ways and means to get rid of the employee.

[sundaymorningstaple]

With the MNCs the difference is the brand name. If they have an easy (and dodgy) hiring and firing policy it will affect their name. With offices worldwide I doubt they want to be dodgy with their hiring and firing policies.

As for the locally owned employers (tho not all), their only main aim is their self interest. Once an employee ceases to be of any use anymore they will find ways and means to get rid of the employee.

With over 14 years as a headhunter in Singapore before I took my current position, I found usually the home office of the MNC wasn't even aware of what is going on in Asia as long as the profits roll in. That's why they are here in the first place. The really don't care about reputations in Asia as they can always blame it on the local practices and that smooths it over with their stockholder (who are the only ones they care about). I'm afraid I've got to disagree with you from my years of practical experience dealing with them. (I wouldn't even take an order from an SME client out of general principles). I did however have a fair number of Regional MNC Clients though.

[krptykcookies]

With the MNCs the difference is the brand name. If they have an easy (and dodgy) hiring and firing policy it will affect their name. With offices worldwide I doubt they want to be dodgy with their hiring and firing policies.

As for the locally owned employers (tho not all), their only main aim is their self interest. Once an employee ceases to be of any use anymore they will find ways and means to get rid of the employee.

With over 14 years as a headhunter in Singapore before I took my current position, I found usually the home office of the MNC wasn't even aware of what is going on in Asia as long as the profits roll in. That's why they are here in the first place. The really don't care about reputations in Asia as they can always blame it on the local practices and that smooths it over with their stockholder (who are the only ones they care about). I'm afraid I've got to disagree with you from my years of practical experience dealing with them. (I wouldn't even take an order from an SME client out of general principles). I did however have a fair number of Regional MNC Clients though.

Ok I admit defeat. When I wrote the above, I wrote it based on experience but then again I was telling myself there could be more to this that I may not be aware of

[Strong Eagle]

With over 14 years as a headhunter in Singapore before I took my current position, I found usually the home office of the MNC wasn't even aware of what is going on in Asia as long as the profits roll in. That's why they are here in the first place. The really don't care about reputations in Asia as they can always blame it on the local practices and that smooths it over with their stockholder (who are the only ones they care about). I'm afraid I've got to disagree with you from my years of practical experience dealing with them. (I wouldn't even take an order from an SME client out of general principles). I did however have a fair number of Regional MNC Clients though.

SMS has undoubtedly more experience that I; however I add my own views based on my interaction with a number of client companies.

How you are treated by an MNC in the region depends, in large part, on the number of expat managers and the degree to which they influence the corporate culture. I am aware of an MNC where the majority of mid level managers are locals and the expat heads are relatively uninvolved. This is a tough place to work because 'enlightened' management methods and process seem to be absent.

OTOH, I am also aware of MNC's who have a lot of local mid level managers who are trained in company methods and evaluated on how well they manage and bring employees into the company culture. For the most part, employees are happy and long lasting.

[singaporemobi]

Kev,
I tink getting a job in Singapore's IT industry with almost no experience isn't easy to get. A friend of my works in one of the Singapore headhunting companies and they turned down all CV's from a lot of European's because they asked for to much.

What krptykcookies said is correct that most headhunters are looking to hire IT staffs in Malaysia and if it is for SAP such as SAP/FICO they allow only CV's from Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai's.

Connections can be helpful but of you speak any dialect of Chinese and have a fair understanding of the Chinese culture, you can surly get a job and mix well with the local companies.

With your strong Korean knowledge, you should consider looking for a job in South Korea.

[lord falkland]

Just some insight from my end and this is speaking from experience. I do know for a fact that Singapore recruiters are now going to KL (that's Kuala Lumpur for you) to recruit locals for IT jobs in Singapore.

I have also gotten to know from a Singapore-based recruiter (who recruits SAP specialists) that a lot of S'poreans are now going over to KL for SAP jobs due to the high demand and of course, pay. Apparently S'porean companies are not willing to pay well and so resulting in S'porean SAPers going across the border for better paying jobs (pay rates range from MYR15-35k a month for SAPers).

So for an honest insight, it is going to be tough from your end because they are getting experienced hires with a low pay scale. I have seen pay rates going to as low as SGD3k for a project manager role (which requires a min of 5 years experience)

do you mind giving me a few details about SAP recruiters out here since you know a few...would be of great help..thnx !