Local package vs expat package

[Corbeone]

Hi

I have been approached about a role based in Singapore with a Global company but on a local package.. hence I will have to pay for all housing etc out of salary.
The headhunter advised to give them a figure for required net income..i upped my usual to cover this and inc requirements such as medical insurance/flights home etc..

Is this normal practice or should i hold out for full expat package

Thanks

[sundaymorningstaple]

Only you know what is the value of your worth and what your personal pain threshold is. What is necessary is trying to figure out what is the company's pain threshold is. Therein lies the problem. Hold out for the rapidly vanishing "expat package" might just have you sitting where you are at currently. But going local could find you hard pressed to make ends meet in a fashion to which you have been accustomed.

[ScoobyDoes]

SMS is right about considering the 'fashion' in which you are accustomed.

If you are young and single, willing to maybe run the risk of having to share an apartment till you get on your feet and accept a bit of a challenge, then the rewards can be worthwhile. Your CV suddenly says you worked in a foreign country and are willing to work. It also educates you on life outside your home country, which for me, is worth much more.

If you are older with a family then local terms will be very difficult if even you only considering school fees as a foreigner. That alone is enough to cause a headache.

In terms of a 'package' I wouldn't waste too much energy on asking for flights home. Put it in first as negotiation but use that as the first thing to negotiate off when you need to. Medical coverage from the company should be much higher up your priority and, for me, is non-negotiable.

Consider one thing: For all but senior management these days, the old-fashioned typical 'expat package' is all but assigned to the landfill.

[Corbeone]

Thank you both for your swift and helpful answers...i will see what they come back with and take it from there.

[Addadude]

The simplest way to work out your local package would be to first come up with a figure for your desired MONTHLY salary. Add your estimated MONTHLY rental. (Average rentals can be calculated from the property section of this website.) And multiply the result by 12 for your total annual 'local package'. If you've got kids, add in the school fees for the year.

Then you have a starting point. If it appears to be too expensive, even to your eyes, subtract/compromise a bit.

Even if it's not an 'expat package' it is not unusual for companies to include annual return flights home on top of your 'local package'.

Ultimately, the only guide I would advise you to consider in your calculations is that you should NEVER find yourself earning less here than at home. To my mind, even the fact that there is probably a lower tax rate here should not be a factor.

[Corbeone]

True words sir..thank you too...ball in their court so so hope to have some news soon.