Merchandising Jobs

milesl · Post by **milesl** » Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:26 pm

Hi Everyone,

I've just been reading posts on this forum and it seems alot of people are having a similar experience to me.

1. They have tried lots of agencies with no success
2. All the adverts ask for Singaporean or PR only.
3. They don't know what else to try.

Point 3 is where I am at! I am already living in Singapore with my girlfriend. I'm from the UK and am a Merchandising professional. I've 7 years experience but have had no luck with applying for jobs.

I appreciate that Singaporeans or PR's should get jobs first but I've applied for loads of different jobs, and I've not heard anything so thought I'd try on here to see if anyone can give me some fresh insight to carry on my job search with.

Thanks.

Miles

ksl · Post by **ksl** » Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:52 pm

milesl wrote:Hi Everyone,

I've just been reading posts on this forum and it seems alot of people are having a similar experience to me.

1. They have tried lots of agencies with no success
2. All the adverts ask for Singaporean or PR only.
3. They don't know what else to try.

Point 3 is where I am at! I am already living in Singapore with my girlfriend. I'm from the UK and am a Merchandising professional. I've 7 years experience but have had no luck with applying for jobs.

I appreciate that Singaporeans or PR's should get jobs first but I've applied for loads of different jobs, and I've not heard anything so thought I'd try on here to see if anyone can give me some fresh insight to carry on my job search with.

Thanks.

Miles

What type of visa, work permit, or LTSVP are you holding

milesl · Post by **milesl** » Fri, 01 May 2009 10:17 am

Its a working holiday visa that allows me to stay for 6 months. Its quite unrestricted in terms or a minimum salary I must earn and any payments an employer would normally have to make, with say a work permit.

milesl · Post by **milesl** » Fri, 01 May 2009 10:21 am

Oh I forgot to add that if any there are potential recruiters looking at this, my intention is to stay in Singapore as long as possible by applying for other visa's in the future so please don't be put off by the initial time limit!

Thanks

Miles

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Sat, 02 May 2009 9:22 am

Sounds like you got it sussed okay. I just had a read to refresh myself on the pass. It would appear that it's not restricted in it's industry at all. Good on ya!

Fast food restaurants only pay around S$5-7/hr.

ksl · Post by **ksl** » Sat, 02 May 2009 12:02 pm

milesl wrote:Oh I forgot to add that if any there are potential recruiters looking at this, my intention is to stay in Singapore as long as possible by applying for other visa's in the future so please don't be put off by the initial time limit!

Thanks

Miles

Miles you need to post 5 times before you can use the PM button. I may be able to help you out, can we meet up. I'm in Kovan area, where are you located?

winger7 · Post by **winger7** » Sat, 02 May 2009 9:35 pm

I suppose im not in too similar of a situation...I only want to move there but am not physically there yet. From what I am hearing it sounds very very difficult and unrealistic...it must be if you are finding it difficult with 7 years of experience...i only have 1!

milesl · Post by **milesl** » Mon, 04 May 2009 11:32 am

Hi Ksi,

I am located at Bishan. I'd be very interested to meet up. I'll post another message so I can get to 5!

Miles

milesl · Post by **milesl** » Mon, 04 May 2009 11:39 am

'winger'

No idea what jobs you are looking for but with only 1 year of experience you may be best getting the working holiday visa, coming over to Singapore and literally walking into companies for interviews. For low paid jobs walk in interviews is quite common.

winger7 · Post by **winger7** » Mon, 04 May 2009 11:45 am

miles...i dont think i will be settling for a low paid job tho thats the thing, i do have university education afterall and plus if i do move there i would need to pay rent and daily expenses so...there is a bottomline for me. physically being there though, i still need to give it some thought because if a few months go by i could end up buying my return ticket to home if i dont get a job...with one and a half years work experience i have limited savings

nova74 · Post by **nova74** » Fri, 05 Jun 2009 5:11 pm

I gave up my merchandising job recently and deciding of switching field after 12+yrs. As expected, quite a few of huge sourcing/buying houses had streamlined their operation or already moved out of here (my perceptions, is a matter of time). I dont wish to be caught in downward spiral situation and by the time i get out, it wld be too late coz of age. I thot if i wld to stay on with fashion or lifestyle related field, i may have to venture to oversea mkt instead to explore new challenges with probably opportunities (maybe). Aside from US/EU counterparts, thot Hk or China should be good. If not, i better start acquire new skills/knowledge now and move on.

Although there could be limited few big international sourcing/buying house here, maybe you can try out our local companies, one such big retail player is Wing Tai. You can also try Nike or Adidas Singapore.
Which category are you in? Apparel, FW, Furniture, Bags or Accessories/Jewellery? If no vacancy, why not you check out for their retail assistant job tentatively.

But i must say most foreigner in my former companies employed are usually assistant or associate positions of the the lower salary range. I must say merchandising remuneration scale is not great here in general. (so what after slogging for BSc and MBA), limited advancement as many in the queue from the fine gen x and y, also consider the number of young hopeful fashion wannebes graduates every year joining this 'glamourous' workforce.

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