Sick of seeing "Singaporeans and PRs need only apply"!

[carolinemain]

I just want to vent some frustration really. I have been living here for 3 weeks and there are loads of jobs that come up every day in my line of work - property Management, Real Estate Management of shopping centres. I've applied for 2-3 jobs per day, and heard nothing back - not even a thanks but no thanks.

Sick of reading adverts for jobs that I want to apply for then reading the last paragraph which says Singaporeans and PRs only.

Can anyone tell me why? Is it too expensive for them to get me on an Employment Pass? Or is it just too dodgy for them to give me a chance?

Is it therefore worth me applying for Permanent Residency just to overcome this annoying barrier?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

[Strong Eagle]

Because the gahmen places jobs for citizens and PR's as a priority over jobs for foreigners... just like every other country. Why import workers when there are people here who need jobs and have the skills?

[nakatago]

ditto.

and less paperwork for them companies.

[carolinemain]

A few weeks ago the government was talking about how Singaporeans should be integrating more with foreigners rather than treating them as outsiders, because we are important too. Sounds hypocritical to me.

I am only here because my husband got a job here so we packed up in the UK and came over, he started 2 months ago and I joined him 3 weeks ago after packing in a well-respected, professional job. Just feels like I am being kept out, a real "you don't belong here" feeling right now. I live in an area where there are few westerners so I get started at ALL the time for being white and blonde, getting looks like I'm an alien, AND no one is prepared to give me a chance with a job either!



OK, rant over!!! Just want a life and an income of my own and so far neither seems in sight xx

[farhan77]

Hi Caroline,

You are trying a job just from last 3 weeks only. But there are people who tried for more months but in vain. As you are a westerner or in DP, I hope there is no problem for your staying here. Keep on trying and make your resume openned for search in all job web sites and mention the availablity as "Immediate". Sure, you will get a call soon.

Good luck.

[Strong Eagle]

Are you a DP? If so, you are entitled to work on a DP with only a letter of consent, usually easy to get.

Most companies are not aware that hiring a DP is easier than an EP (minimal paperwork) and cheaper than a citizen or PR (no CPF). You need to explain it to them.

[carolinemain]

Excellent, thanks guys. No I hadn't made it clear in my applications that I am on DP. I will make sure I mention that all the time from now on.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'm sure you are not, but... if you are one of "those" blondes, you should actually try to read the rest of the papers. You might have picked up on the fact that there is an economic crunch going on and we are not out of the woods by any means. Unemployment amongst local is still very high.

Therefore, you must remember, it was your husband who was promised a job, not you. You are a trailing spouse. It would be good to remember that, before you get too bitter.

You might get lucky, but there are locals who have been out of work for nigh on two years now - with very suitable qualifications (probably better qualified than yourself) and are still looking for work. You will have to just keep trying. eventually, someone may offer you a local wage if you are willing to work on a "Letter of Consent" which is a work permit that is tied to your husbands pass (but not to his employer). It expires when his does. Do a search for letter of consent either on here or on the MOM site. Sometimes you need to educate the potential employer about LoCs as they don't even know it exists (and there are no levies either). It's something you should put in your cover letter with any submission to a potential employer.

Persistence pays off, but in the meantime, why don't you donate some of that energy that you are burning up in frustration, to some charity that could use the extra woman-power.

[ksl]

A few weeks ago the government was talking about how Singaporeans should be integrating more with foreigners rather than treating them as outsiders, because we are important too. Sounds hypocritical to me.

I am only here because my husband got a job here so we packed up in the UK and came over, he started 2 months ago and I joined him 3 weeks ago after packing in a well-respected, professional job. Just feels like I am being kept out, a real "you don't belong here" feeling right now. I live in an area where there are few westerners so I get started at ALL the time for being white and blonde, getting looks like I'm an alien, AND no one is prepared to give me a chance with a job either!



OK, rant over!!! Just want a life and an income of my own and so far neither seems in sight xx

Being an expat spouse is no bed of roses, you must be living outside the City! I'm in Kovan area, when i first came 5 years ago i never bumped into any expats, today i see a handful in the area, they must be renting HDB, you have my sympathy!

I can only suggest getting in contact with the embassy and find out where all the expat wives hangout, there are quite a few coffee mornings and other activities I believe some never find work, you are in for the long haul I'm afraid unless you kickstart something!

I'm an old male Brit semi retired though we have our own business. I have a feasible idea in property business which may interest you, as your own business, but you would be starting from scratch!

[Million]

Hi there,

I am a US citizen (not currently PR or DP, though going to apply soon for PR), and I asked the same question to a recruiter friend a few weeks ago.

She replied "Just apply anyway." Apparently, companies do that to prevent a lot of unqualified workers from India/Malaysia/etc. from applying. I think what she meant to say was unskilled labor in general.

She said with my years working as a professional in the US, I should just go for it anyway.

That said, I've been job searching extensively for the past 3-4 weeks and I've gotten 2 call backs and from that 1 interview. I botched the very first call back I had b/c I thought it was going to be a phone interview and was put off when he wanted me to come in the next day (my mistake).

Good luck!

[gravida]

Apparently, companies do that to prevent a lot of unqualified workers from India/Malaysia/etc. from applying.

Yeah, as if this would stop anyone here, especially the 'unskilled' workers
Reading comprehension does not exist among average Singaporeans, I am so sorry to put it black on white... Reading with comprehension and drawing conclusion - well, it seems to be a skill that may be required only for a professional level applicants. I've been looking for an employee for one and a half years before finally the miracle had happened. Up till today (despite the fact that job posts are expired for over 6 months) I am receiving resumes from people who have nothing to do with the offered job and I really mean NOTHING. It's like I've been looking for a cook and I've have been getting applications from mechanics and hairdressers.

Anyway, there IS a reason why people are asking for PRs and Singaporeans only. As people above mentioned, it is not easy to get EP these days, not mentioning the overall economical situation. Three weeks of looking for a job is nothing, even if there would be economical boom. And who is looking at you as if you are a ghost? Come on, not in Singapore. Try to go and visit other countries around

[Zeenit]

A few weeks ago the government was talking about how Singaporeans should be integrating more with foreigners rather than treating them as outsiders, because we are important too. Sounds hypocritical to me.

I am only here because my husband got a job here so we packed up in the UK and came over, he started 2 months ago and I joined him 3 weeks ago after packing in a well-respected, professional job. Just feels like I am being kept out, a real "you don't belong here" feeling right now. I live in an area where there are few westerners so I get started at ALL the time for being white and blonde, getting looks like I'm an alien, AND no one is prepared to give me a chance with a job either!



OK, rant over!!! Just want a life and an income of my own and so far neither seems in sight xx

Welcome to the real world. We came one year ago and I also had a well paid job in the UK. And like you I choice to come with my husband. i was not forced to come and he did not threaten me if I did not come.
I am not normally this harsh but some of the building labours live,work and far from their family. they will give everything to have their family with them, living decently and not working in dangerous conditions.

My rant is over..

[xtasy010]

I've been looking for a cook and I've have been getting applications from mechanics and hairdressers

May be they are mechanics and hairdressers who know how to cook

[gravida]

I've been looking for a cook and I've have been getting applications from mechanics and hairdressers

May be they are mechanics and hairdressers who know how to cook

Possible, but then, why they do not mention it? "Hi, I am a very good clown with 6 years of experience. I have been working in variety of setting including preschools, shopping malls events, birthday parties etc. I am currently entertaining children in one of the best hotels in town while their parents are enjoying their dinner. I have seen you are looking for a website designer. I am looking forward for your quick reply"

Anyway, when it comes to qualified workers, who need to have certificates/degrees to do the work, applying randomly just to 'try a luck' is not the best solution.

Going back to the lady who started the topic... I am not too sure, but just looking around, it seems that there are thousands of property agents, managers and other people involved in the business. I am afraid you will need lots of very strong arguments in your hand (like lots of experience, additional qualification) to 'beat' the locals. The point is - you are 'cheaper' for the company (i. e., no CPF payments), and theoretically it suppose to be easier to obtain LOC for you than to apply for an EP, however I am not sure if in the current situation with economy there aren't some restrictions with getting LOC for DP? However, if I were in your shoes I would keep trying and would apply for the positions that state "Singaporeans/PRs only" (as long as your qualification meet requirements ) and I would add a line with information that getting LOC for DP holder is reasonably easy (on the other hand I can't believe there is a company where management/HR people do not know it by themselves).

[sundaymorningstaple]

The last two locally owned SMEs that I worked for (including my curent employer) did not know about LoC's until I told them about it. It took a PR (me) to teach them! You would be surprised at the quality ( NOT! ) of HR practitioners here.