Singapore job application protocol

[Gsav]

Hello.

I was hoping someone could advise me on the protocol for job applications in Singapore.

I am relocating in September with my partner, who has been offered a job over there. I have been applying for jobs whilst still in the UK, but receiving no response despite applying for jobs with lower salary or requiring less experience than I currently have.

Is this because I am still in the UK? Also, I am not sure whether my CV is correct, is there generally a different format used there than in the UK? I have tried doing some research on this but can't find anything. Am I missing something that is standard for job applications there but not here?

Also, is it better to apply for a 'looking for work' permit, or a long-term social visit pass in regards to finding employment?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I am getting slightly nerveous about the move, which is not helped by the distinct lack of response from employers!

Thanks,

Gabrielle

[sundaymorningstaple]

Don't make the move over here, expecting that, as a trailing spouse, you will be able to find work. It's possible, yes, but at the moment it is rather difficult as there is a backlash against foreign talent by the local population and as there will be an election within the 6 to 7 months, the gahmen are listening to the ground and it is making it difficult for any foreigner to obtain a job. Please ensure, for your family's sake, that you all can survive on the single income and your potential bordom and frustration. Otherwise, you stay here may well not be pleasurable. Forewarned is forearmed.

sms

[Gsav]

Thanks for your response. I am aware of the difficulties and certainly don't expect it to be a given that I will get a job, I was just looking for advice on how best to go about it to ensure that I have the greatest chance possible. Obviously if I am missing out something pertinent to the application process because I am unaware of it, then this will make the process even more difficult.

Also, I was more hoping that I would secure employment on my own merits, rather than because I am simply in the country. I have undertaken a vast amount of research on the current situation re: employment for foreigners, and am not going into it with my eyes closed. But to go there and not even try would seem somewhat foolish.

[singaporeflyer]

Hello.

Also, is it better to apply for a 'looking for work' permit, or a long-term social visit pass in regards to finding employment?

Hi,
Whatever SMS said is perfect (he has 17+ years of experience in SG) , but as you so eager to find employment here are the options but none of them can guarantee you a job unless

1. You are in an industry that is of great demand here
2. You have good working experience in the industry
3. You have a Good Degree
and Most importantly
4. Your New employer is able to justify to the MOM why they need you for that position


Passes that you can look at

1. If you are married and coming with your spouse, your spouse can request his employer to apply for an Dependent Pass for you. You can reside here on your Dependant Pass with your spouse. When you find a job here your employer can apply for a Letter of Consent from the MOM and you can work being on an DP itself

2. You can land here find a job and then apply for an Employment Pass/S Pass through your employer

3. If you are working abroad and if your current Salary is > 7000 SGD then you can apply for an Personalised Employment Pass. (This salary should be no more than six months from the time of the application.)

For types of employment passes you can refer the below link

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx


You can also try to apply for an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) that allows foreigners to search for a job in SG.

But even if you get an EPEC, there is no guarantee that you can secure an Long Term Social Visit pass that will allow you to stay here to search for a job.

You have not said anything about your past job,education and years of experience.

All these were not said to de-motivate you.. Thanks

[louisloo]

First of all, do not be unduly worried about the non response from Singapore companies. It is only natural that since you are applying from UK and your presence is not in Singapore, employers will find it hard to grant an interview with you, even if they wish to. Most of employers looking for staff are normally on a quite urgent basis. The posts need to be filled as soon as possible. So you can understand that it is no point for you to apply for jobs from another country.

As long as you have the proper qualifications and experience for the job, and you are realistic enough, you should be able to land a job within a relatively short period of time. There are jobs everywhere.

The format of job resumes should be the same as yours in the UK afterall, Singapore inherits its education system from the British.

The election? it is a non event...most of us will not have to chance to vote as it is a walkover in most part of the state.

Since your partner is coming over for his job, just enjoy your trip here and find your job when you are here.

Hopes this helps.

[Gsav]

Thank you Louisloo. Obviously I wish to be realistic, but as I mentioned in my previous response, there is no point being defeatist. If I am coming over with my partner anyway then, like you said, I may as well enjoy the time and try for a job when there. There is no point thinking "it's difficult so I won't bother". That attitude didn't get me the professional career I am in today.

I greatly appreciate your positive attitude towards a difficult situation, and for advising me on the questions I asked

[sundaymorningstaple]

First of all, do not be unduly worried about the non response from Singapore companies. It is only natural that since you are applying from UK and your presence is not in Singapore, employers will find it hard to grant an interview with you, even if they wish to. Most of employers looking for staff are normally on a quite urgent basis. The posts need to be filled as soon as possible. So you can understand that it is no point for you to apply for jobs from another country.

This is not true at all. All the things that are deemed illegal to classify a jobseeker by in western countries is a MUST HAVE by Singapore employers. This is so that they can discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age and general looks. Discrimination is alive and well here and there are no laws to actually prevent it. Only admonitions that "you shouldn't do it" which employers just ignore. (no Fines - remember this is a FINE city). So, unless the OP has included all that stuff, the HR manager/executive wont look past the first half of page of the CV if (s)he gets that far.

As long as you have the proper qualifications and experience for the job, and you are realistic enough, you should be able to land a job within a relatively short period of time. There are jobs everywhere.

You are optimistic, I'll say that. Yeah, there are jobs, but MOM is not giving them up very easily to foreigner at the moment.

The format of job resumes should be the same as yours in the UK afterall, Singapore inherits its education system from the British.

Then why do the British speak English and Singaporeans speak Singlish?

The election? it is a non event...most of us will not have to chance to vote as it is a walkover in most part of the state.

Since your partner is coming over for his job, just enjoy your trip here and find your job when you are here.

Hopes this helps.

[x9200]

First of all, do not be unduly worried about the non response from Singapore companies. It is only natural that since you are applying from UK and your presence is not in Singapore, employers will find it hard to grant an interview with you, even if they wish to.

Nothing to do with this. This is about service and conduct quality - typically only a fraction of companies (mainly of the public sector) bothers to respond to the emails. The proper and often the only way to arrange something is via direct personal contact.

[Mad Scientist]

The election? it is a non event...most of us will not have to chance to vote as it is a walkover in most part of the state.

Either you have been sleepwalking while you are living in SG or put on a deaf ears and not feel the rumbling on the ground. Have you care to read the local papers to see and understand the disgruntle comments on the locals here ?If you are a local, you must been paid handsomely for your work or replying on behalf of the Gahmen?Hmmmmm???
Your post is damned confusing and misleading. You are pasting that everything is rosy and picturesque in SG at this moment. What you are doing is making OP jump the bandwagon and come here based on your posting which OP will be hugely disappointed based on the current political climate. Go to the search button and read all those rejections for EP and you will understand what I meant

[louisloo]

[quote="sundaymorningstaple"]
This is not true at all. All the things that are deemed illegal to classify a jobseeker by in western countries is a MUST HAVE by Singapore employers. This is so that they can discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age and general looks. Discrimination is alive and well here and there are no laws to actually prevent it. Only admonitions that "you shouldn't do it" which employers just ignore. (no Fines - remember this is a FINE city). So, unless the OP has included all that stuff, the HR manager/executive wont look past the first half of page of the CV if (s)he gets that far.
You are correct..there are discrimination everywhere and in every culture where there are people of different nationalities lived together..that's part of life..you cannot escape it anywhere.
But the fact remains if the OP is not in the country, no employer is going to make the extra effort to grant her the interview.

You are optimistic, I'll say that. Yeah, there are jobs, but MOM is not giving them up very easily to foreigner at the moment.
Yes it is a bit tight to get jobs, but not impossible though depending on the merits of the OP.

Then why do the British speak English and Singaporeans speak Singlish?
They speak Singlish on a casual basis, not when they are on official business.

[louisloo]

Either you have been sleepwalking while you are living in SG or put on a deaf ears and not feel the rumbling on the ground. Have you care to read the local papers to see and understand the disgruntle comments on the locals here ?If you are a local, you must been paid handsomely for your work or replying on behalf of the Gahmen?Hmmmmm???

I am confused..I can't see what has this got to do with the OP wanting to know why her applications has no response and if her way of writing has to do with the disgruntle comments of other people.
I dont work for the garmenh. Just trying to answer someone who wants straight answers.
Is there a need for personal criticism?

Your post is damned confusing and misleading. You are pasting that everything is rosy and picturesque in SG at this moment. What you are doing is making OP jump the bandwagon and come here based on your posting which OP will be hugely disappointed based on the current political climate. Go to the search button and read all those rejections for EP and you will understand what I meant

Can you read the 2nd line..OP is already on the bandwagon..with or without the job, she is coming over.

[missis]

OP, there's a difference between being defeatist and realistic.
I expected to find a job very easily here, being led to believe that it would be a simple. I didn't expect a career, at the very least part-time job or something administrative. Those jobs are mostly advertised as wanting "Singaporean or PR only" - even though it is a straight-forward procedure to employ a DP holder.

[JayCee]

Then why do the British speak English and Singaporeans speak Singlish?
They speak Singlish on a casual basis, not when they are on official business.

Oh really? You might want to tell that to all the Credit card companies that call me up constantly (Citibank being the worst offender) trying to get me to sign up for things, I can never understand what the hell they are saying! Or does that not count as 'official business'?

[louisloo]

Do they count as Singaporean?

[JayCee]

Do they count as Singaporean?

They are Singaporean and speaking Singlish, so what else would they count as