Confused re. career search - all advice much appreciated!

[sundaymorningstaple]

This one'll make an interesting addition to the gene pool here! NOT

[Mad Scientist]

Any one from Big four firms pls contact me

You cease to amaze me. I thought the bucket should look for the well not the opposite ?

[nakatago]

Would it hurt to do some research and apply due diligence?

Here's the big four, right here.

[chipperchris]

Hi there - I have been looking for a position in singapore as well and have come across the "asian experience" and "fluent in mandarin" criteria. I have had some differing opinions as to whether these are real criteria for the jobs, or just excuses from recruiters. Any thoughts?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Asian Experience. This one is hard to quantify but it is a real enough and valid request. Things are done differently, or while not actually differently, certain protocols need to be observed and import is given to different things that the westerner might find silly.

Mandarin only? If speaking in the Singaporean context, it their form of racism that they use to get around the Government's admonishment not to discriminate against other races. They should not use "Chinese" only, so they say Mandarin speaker required. They might not really use Mandarin at all with any of their clients, but the MD is Chinese and prefers Chinese as well. Racism is alive and well, but they think they are just being pragmatic. It's something you have to get used to, like having aunties asking you how much you make, and having to divulge all the things forbidden on lots of western CV's (like race, religion, gender, age, how many/old or are you planning on having any children, and last but not least, your photo just to make sure you're not butt ugly as well). Our reasoning, It's not something that is relevant to the positon. Their reasoning? What does it matter, you got something to hide? They don't know all that much yet about identity theft (although in the past couple of years it's starting to make it's presence felt here also).

[nakatago]

Asian Experience. This one is hard to quantify but it is a real enough and valid request. Things are done differently, or while not actually differently, certain protocols need to be observed and import is given to different things that the westerner might find silly.

Mandarin only? If speaking in the Singaporean context, it their form of racism that they use to get around the Government's admonishment not to discriminate against other races. They should not use "Chinese" only, so they say Mandarin speaker required. They might not really use Mandarin at all with any of their clients, but the MD is Chinese and prefers Chinese as well. Racism is alive and well, but they think they are just being pragmatic. It's something you have to get used to, like having aunties asking you how much you make, and having to divulge all the things forbidden on lots of western CV's (like race, religion, gender, age, how many/old or are you planning on having any children, and last but not least, your photo just to make sure you're not butt ugly as well). Our reasoning, It's not something that is relevant to the positon. Their reasoning? What does it matter, you got something to hide? They don't know all that much yet about identity theft (although in the past couple of years it's starting to make it's presence felt here also).

I'd like to see their reaction to a South Asian feller who speaks fluent Mandarin. That should show 'em!