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Waiting out recession?

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winger7
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Waiting out recession?

Post by winger7 » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 2:59 pm

Hey guys,

I know this might seem like a shallow question but I have given myself faith and time to wait out this recession, as I am currently still working in HK. Is it too early to say, or would next summer be a considerably better time for foreigners to look for jobs from abroad?

Another question I have is how useful is it to be able to speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin fluently in Singapore, in terms of a better chance of being hired? I am able to speak all three.

Many thanks.

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 3:54 pm

Provided you also have a salable skillset, much better than a lot. Of course, your mandarin won't be understood by the majority of Chinese here as they speak & write a Simplified version of Mandarin. And your English has to be modified into Singlish or the locals won't understand that either! :P
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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littlegreenman
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Post by littlegreenman » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 3:55 pm

The job market in Singapore is still not too stable. Things are only starting to stabilise, so it is a bit early in my opinion. Far more important in my opinion though is the government's stance on immigration. Even though the economy is picking up, it seems still not as easy as it used to be to get an employment pass these days as employers can not proof the need to hire a foreigner, ie. there are plenty of locals who can do the job.

Speaking Mandarin is a big plus. You can get along perfectly well with English only but speaking Mandarin is a plus and being able to speak Cantonese as well. Then again most locals can speak Mandarin at a certain level. It can't hurt, that is for sure.

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Post by winger7 » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 4:00 pm

haha SMS I guess my accent isn't quite there yet. I can read and write Simplified Chinese, as well as traditional. I hope there hasn't been anything too wrong with my English grammar so far.

Anyway, it might be a little too early, you are right littlegreenman. But would it be right to say that things can only get better from now on since things are stabilizing? I will be looking into jobs over there seriously come January, it's a long shot but given a bit of luck I will be able to move as soon as July comes.

What industries would one benefit the most with good Mandarin and Cantonese? I've worked at as a receptionist at a hotel for one year, and now working in HKU as a project coordinator, will have 2 years of experience combined come next summer.

Thanks. :)

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Post by Nath21 » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 4:36 pm

Be aware Singaporeans favour Liverpool over Manchester United if your going to move here. If you were a true Manchester United fan that should put you off coming here. :P

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Post by winger7 » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 4:38 pm

Nath21 wrote:Be aware Singaporeans favour Liverpool over Manchester United if your going to move here. If you were a true Manchester United fan that should put you off coming here. :P
hahaha...dont worry, i will keep my united shirt in my suitcase at immgration :D

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Post by littlegreenman » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 4:50 pm

The thing that has always been most important is your education. Job experience almost doesn't count for anything in Singapore. It is about your cert all the way. Bachelor degree is the minimum these days for foreigners, master desirable. I wouldn't say there are any sectors where you can benefit from your Chinese skills specifically unless you work in construction or media which has a Chinese outfit.

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Post by winger7 » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 5:32 pm

Ah, I certinaly did not realize how education counts above experience in Singapore. I do have a Bachelor's degree by the way. Anyway thanks for the feedback, will try my luck when the time is right :)

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Saint
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Post by Saint » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 5:39 pm

I would kind of agree and disagree, there does become a point when experience over takes the desire for qualification. I've only got an A'level in music but I'm here working!!

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Post by winger7 » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 5:42 pm

Very well said Saint! I guess it all depends... but it might be a barrier being a foreigner and not residing in the country no?

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Post by durain » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 6:19 pm

IMHO, if you want to work in singapore, keep searching and sending out those CVs. there's no right or wrong time to apply for a job. if you are the right person for the job, then you are in luck.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 6:47 pm

Saint, we much alike in that respect. I've only got a High School Diploma but like you, heaps of experience in my fields.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by ksl » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 6:57 pm

winger7 wrote:Very well said Saint! I guess it all depends... but it might be a barrier being a foreigner and not residing in the country no?
Hey winger7 do you have a driving licence?

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Post by littlegreenman » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 7:56 pm

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Saint, we much alike in that respect. I've only got a High School Diploma but like you, heaps of experience in my fields.
I still dare to say you can't compare yourselves to the OP as you got your PR though marriage (same as me). Based on the information given by the OP he is not a PR and would need an EP. That is a totally different ball game altogether then if you ask me. I am not saying it is impossible to get an EP without formal qualifications but not that easy for sure either, unless he is a P1.

In any way there is nothing wrong with applying for jobs. Just don't quit your job in Hong Kong and plan on moving to Singapore with the family like some other posters we had today.

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:04 pm

Actually, you could have a very valid point. The whole point as a matter of fact. :wink: However, in my case I had been on an EP for a number of years before I applied for PR. And in those days it was like it is now but even during the "neverending boom times" before the financial meltdown of '97. Matter of fact everybody was surprised I was even able to get an EP without a degree. Today, due to the economy, even those with qualifications are finding it hard at the moment. And getting PR is even harder as it's because everybody is filing for PR or PEP to try to give themselves a cushion when the fall comes. MOM & ICA have quite a backlog from what I've been told.

But it still not as bad as the backlog in the US which is somewhere around 8 years at the moment. :o
Last edited by sundaymorningstaple on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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