I want to work in Singapore. Unrealistic?

[nakatago]

I am new here

for me applying in Singapore has become, unrealistic
I have been applying for almost 1 year now since recession. Having been retrenched here in the Philippines. I have about 5 years experience
in Embedded/Firmware Software Engineering and Design Engineering. I am looking a job in this field but no interviews at all. What frustrating sometimes is I can really perform the job posted online. I have experience and I do this electronics and programming as a personal hobby. I guess I will take it easy for now on applying in Singapore and take a break.

I applied in some jobs in New Zealand and Australia, at least, I got some replies.

I was almost in the same situation except for the retrenchment part. I even had replies from Ireland, Japan, US, France, [a whole lot from] India, Australia and even Serbia (yes, that Serbia). I was even one-click and one credit card number away from submitting my New Zealand immigrant visa application.

It took three years* to land an offer in Singers since I started my search. So, them's the breaks. Some get a job in two weeks of staying here, some go home empty-handed. Admittedly, luck is also a factor so the regulars would tend to lean to give conservative advice.

* I was only rigorous in the search on the last year since I was only "practice job hunting" on the first two.

[carlsum1986]

Thanks for your replies.

But with a 1-year Visa granted for job search (EPEC) I would have no problem, to rent a room/flat for that time period?

How long could it take to obtain that Visa?

I know that with EPEC not in all cases, a 1 year Visa is granted!

yes you would have no problem to rent a room/flat.
it takes 4 weeks to approve.

Thanks mate!!

To follow the rules:

-I would have to live in a hostel/hotel for a month at least
-Apply for the visa with the Address of my hostel/hotel, as I can't apply from my home country
-Wait for the Visa to be approved and then go searching for a "long term accommodation".

you can apply online with ur epec for long term visit pass as this link https://ltpass.ica.gov.sg/eltsvp/main.do

[beppi]

In the past, it used to be Asians and other third-worlders who dreamt of and tried to find work in the West, only to be prevented by barriers to immigration put up by xenophobic Western governments (and societies).
It is interesting to see that, now that the economic tides have changed direction, young Westerners are trying to move to Asia - and are stopped by the same kind of barriers put up by governments here.
I am still hoping for a world where national borders count only for what they are: Imaginary lines drawn up by people and having no implications for the real world!

[quicksights]

really becoming unrealistic . . .

So, I also applied through EPEC. After a couple of days, I got an email that my application was rejected. It's very trivial how they can assess anyone through the EPEC Application system. They ask to fill up a form with a bunch of general questions such as how many years of professional experience do you have, what degree, what school etc etc. . They don't even request for your CV or resume. Its also trivial how exactly they reject applications. One thing I noticed though is that my University is not part of their selection. Maybe that's the reason.

[Mad Scientist]

really becoming unrealistic . . .

So, I also applied through EPEC. After a couple of days, I got an email that my application was rejected. It's very trivial how they can assess anyone through the EPEC Application system. They ask to fill up a form with a bunch of general questions such as how many years of professional experience do you have, what degree, what school etc etc. . They don't even request for your CV or resume. Its also trivial how exactly they reject applications. One thing I noticed though is that my University is not part of their selection. Maybe that's the reason.

Triviality is in the mind of individual.
Trivial to one who got rejected but not trivial to those that got approve. This application system is a self vetting system. If you REALLY wants to look for a job here, you have to make sure you fit the mould not the other way round. I, for one would stop complaining and try to get as much info on how I could be approve on the next attempt

[quicksights]

really becoming unrealistic . . .

So, I also applied through EPEC. After a couple of days, I got an email that my application was rejected. It's very trivial how they can assess anyone through the EPEC Application system. They ask to fill up a form with a bunch of general questions such as how many years of professional experience do you have, what degree, what school etc etc. . They don't even request for your CV or resume. Its also trivial how exactly they reject applications. One thing I noticed though is that my University is not part of their selection. Maybe that's the reason.

Triviality is in the mind of individual.
Trivial to one who got rejected but not trivial to those that got approve. This application system is a self vetting system. If you REALLY wants to look for a job here, you have to make sure you fit the mould not the other way round. I, for one would stop complaining and try to get as much info on how I could be approve on the next attempt

Yes, you are very much right. Thanks for your advice. I should think more positively. That recent assessment for me, was like judging a book by its cover. With the technical line of work I am in, the only way i can fit the mould is put me in the game and prove my skills worth. I did not graduate from a well known school or have a Phd that can impress anyone. I came from a place that was famous for the love bug virus and some other stuff. Well anyway thanks for the advice. I will just take a break.

[sundaymorningstaple]

There is a great big wide world out there. Singapore is not the the be-all and end-all. Singapore has it's own priorities and methods of assessment. They feel, unless you are eligible for a P1 Pass (>7K/mo) then you must have the qualifications that THEY require in order to get a work pass here. It's their prerogative, not yours. So rather than waste time here, look elsewhere or just get frustrated with rejections. They have their reasons which do not always look reasonable to us.

[JayCee]

In the past, it used to be Asians and other third-worlders who dreamt of and tried to find work in the West, only to be prevented by barriers to immigration put up by xenophobic Western governments (and societies).

Are you sure? How many million Asian people live in the UK, US, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand etc? They didn't all just arrive last week
There are parts of England where you would stick out like a sore thumb if you weren't Pakistani or Bangladeshi, and parts of the US where if you're not Korean you're not welcome (these are just examples before someone has a heart attack, I have nothing against Pakistanis, Bangladeshis or Koreans). Doesn't sound like the governments were very xenophobic to me, if anything they were possibly too leniant with how many they let in

[sundaymorningstaple]

The US has more Chinese than Singapore. US : 3.6 million; SG : 3.3 million.