Work or Play?

[lucida]

Hi, I recently moved to Singapore with my spouse and I've been looking for part-time or contract work. However, I've found that gaining part-time or contract work here is quite difficult to come by. Has anyone else had a similar experience? How have you found the employment market for spouses to fnd temp work here? Cheers

[Saint]

I'm no expert on the subject, but I'm guessing you are a DP? If that's the case, what I've heard/read is that a lot of companies don't actually realise that DPs are legally able to work in Singapore and the process is very simple, just need a LOC from the MOM?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Saint, you're spot on.

We've hired dependent pass holder quite often as not only are the affordable normally, they DO NOT HAVE TO QUALIFY for an Employment Pass. All they need is to have the potential employer to apply for the letter of consent and the employer doesn't even have to pay any levies either.

[lucida]

thanks for your posts and helpful info.

yes, i am on a dp.

my experiences so far is that there aren't many opportunities for part-time or contract work, or even full-time work on a contract basis. i get the impression that employers here tend to offer positions on a permanent full-time basis.

as a trailing spouse, i know how long i am going to be here for. i've spoken to a few employers and they don't seem to like the fact that i am only here for a period of time.

i just wonder if i am the only one who is facing these challenges. i am finding thats it not as easy as people back home said it would be. i was told that it would be easy for me to find work here because everyone speaks English but i am finding the opposite to be true.

[sierra2469alpha]

Hi all - any other experiences regarding the OP's post? Cheers, C & P

[ropa15]

to Lucida, we share the same sentiments.But let us remain to be hopeful

[lucida]

hi ropa15

thanks yes i am remaining hopeful but the challenges i face in terms of employability are very real. let me know if you have any useful tips etc.

[mrsfingers]

Hi, I've been here for nearly a year and the job market here came as a shock. There isn't much part time or contract work out there at all....although contract work is gaining in popularity.

As a DP holder you can set up a business and work on a freelance basis. It's a route many women I know have gone down, be it in tutoring, writing, photography or whatever.

The other thing you can do which really helps is networking. If you can join one of the many women's associations out here (PrimeTime, AWA etc) you will find many other women who have been through the same thing and may be able to point you in the direction of some work.

One final thought; if I was going for a job interview I wouldn't make a big deal out of the fact that I'm leaving Singapore on X date. Do you definitely know that for a fact anyway as loads of people I know thought that and years later they're still here!

[miniva]

I have been living in Singapore since April 2007 on a DP and already received a few job offers from MNC's. Of course, it hasn't been so easy to find a job as a foreigner. Especially recruitment firms never give a chance. Because they are not aware that DP holders are authorized to work in Singapore so they simply disregard your application even you are %100 qualified for the position. My first employer didn't apply for an EP and I worked with LOC ( approval from MOM took only 3 days). My second employer applied for an EP and I got it in a week.
Maybe I was lucky or I am good at marketing myself but I know that finding a full-time job in Singapore for an expat wife is not impossible.

[agnis]

mrsfingers says "As a DP holder you can set up a business and work on a freelance basis".

This is exactly what I want to do, but scrolling through the MOM website, it seems clear that I need to assure them of a fixed monthly income above $1800 in order to be approved.

Do you know how I go about getting an S Pass to start up my own freelance business in Singapore?

[staryalley]

Agnis, you will likely need to find yourself a job that pays $1,800 up in order for your employer to apply an 'S' pass for you. You will be in possession of the 'S' pass so long as you are employed or could 'upgrade' to an EP if your salary hit $2,500.

[EHAB]

that's too sad , should submit your cv every day in every single daily newspaper

ciaoz

[agnis]

If anyone else is looking for the answer of how to set up yourself as a business to work freelance in Singapore, I have finally found out how to do it. You need to apply for an EntrePass.

[MurrayD]

I found this post interesting, because I have been seeking possible employment for my wife.
I am close to being offered a teaching job in Singapore, but I want to keep my house in Western Australia, so to pay off the mortgage, my wife and I both need to work.
Rebecca currently earns AUD$56,000 here as a Project Officer working for the Water Corporation in Occupational Safety and Health. She is extremely bright and a very talented person, who, despite not completing her university degree (She had completed six units but left uni for the workplace so we could earn the kind of money we needed to pay for our wedding) impressed her employer from day one.
If I take this job, and we really would love to move to Singapore, I am concerned that:
1. If she finds work, she'll be paid what people get here to work in McDonalds.
2. Most employers won't understand that you don't need to complete university studies to be an awesome employee. You can't underestimate the value of on-the-job training.
3. There is a distinct chance we won't even be able to find her anything because almost every job site we go to says they are only employing Singaporeans!

Ideally, Bec wouldn't mind taking a break from OSH and doing something else, but we at least need her to earn about S$2500.

I would hate for us not to be able to go to this wonderful country because women don't get the kind of salaries they deserve.

Anyone else like to share their thoughts on this?