Question about Expat packages

[amitg]

I may be asking this too early, but I have a few questions about the expat packages in Singapore.

I started looking for positions around the world to get some experience outside my home country. I spoke to an old manager of mine and he fwd my resume to a contact in Malaysia and in turn he sent my resume to others he knows. When I sent my resume, my manager asked if I was willing to move out of my own pocket and included that in the email (i do not mind paying my own moving expenses), but looking that there is expat package that includes apartment rentals and other necessities, would I be absolved from the expat packages because i am willing to pay for my own moving expenses? Just to let you know, if something does come up for the position in Singapore, it would be a transfer within the same company.

Also, this is may be a stupid question, but when including rental allowance, do they include that in the salary they offer or is it seperated (basically, when I review the contract, how would it be written)? I may be starting too early, but I am trying to find out if I will be able to live comfortably. I have been checking out apartment rentals, but I do not see anything less than SGD$2500 and are mostly 2+ bedrooms on this site, does anyone know where I can see 1 br apartments in Singapore for less than SGD$2500?

Thank you in advance,
Amit

[jpatokal]

When I sent my resume, my manager asked if I was willing to move out of my own pocket and included that in the email (i do not mind paying my own moving expenses), but looking that there is expat package that includes apartment rentals and other necessities, would I be absolved from the expat packages because i am willing to pay for my own moving expenses? Just to let you know, if something does come up for the position in Singapore, it would be a transfer within the same company.

Old-school expat packages are increasingly rare, and not all companies offer rental allowances anyway. I am surprised, though, that the company would not pay moving expenses for an internal transfer, since this and home leave are usually the bare minimum to qualify as an expat instead of a local hire.

I have been checking out apartment rentals, but I do not see anything less than SGD$2500 and are mostly 2+ bedrooms on this site, does anyone know where I can see 1 br apartments in Singapore for less than SGD$2500?

Studios/1BR are quite rare in Singapore, older condos generally did not have them and newer condos that do are expensive. Most people with lower budgets share. Alternatively, look into public housing (HDB), which is always cheaper.

[ching]

Might be a good idea to double-check whether they are offering you an expat package or a "local terms" package (same compensation as any other local hire in Singapore -- in other words, no expat perks!).

Usually if they ask whether you are willing to pay your own moving expenses, that is a way of asking whether you are willing to accept being hired on local terms.

I wouldn't count on an expat package unless you hear it directly from HR or from the hiring manager. Your former manager may just be exploring some "what if" questions with you so he or she knows what to tell the hiring managers if they ask.