How Employable am I?

[wing.c]

Hi all,

First time poster, I am a Software Engineer currently working in US looking for Software related position in Singapore. I have about 6 years of experience in both Software QA and Development and a Master in Software Engineer.I have been applying to job postings online, but they seem to ended up in the Internet application abyss.

It seems one of my downfall is me not being physically in Singapore for the first in person interview. What are some of the ways to go over this hurdle?

One of the things I have done is changing my phone number and address to Singapore.

Do you have any other advices?

much Thanks,

W

[richie303]

It seems one of my downfall is me not being physically in Singapore for the first in person interview. What are some of the ways to go over this hurdle?

If you desperately want to come over to Singapore, then come over for a trip and arrange some interviews for the same time.

Bear in mind that the market for this kind of person is resourced heavily from some more local countries so you may not find the wage you want.

Just my thought, I am sure SMS will also advise

Richie

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually Richie, you just about said it all.

wing.c,

You will be competing with Filipinos, Indians & Mainline Chinese for that type of position and with the exception of Indians who may have worked in the US or UK for a period of time, all will work for considerably less than you will as their cost of living in their home countries is considerably less than yours.

However, don't let that stop you from taking a holiday and shooting over here for a month or so and try getting some interviews just to satisfy yourself and who knows, you may well get lucky as well.

sms

[nakatago]

You will be competing with Filipinos, Indians & Mainline Chinese for that type of position and with the exception of Indians who may have worked in the US or UK for a period of time, all will work for considerably less than you will s

[sundaymorningstaple]

How many times have you made reference to that fact as well! When you get to be my age, you get just as stuffed!

[nakatago]

How many times have you made reference to that fact as well! When you get to be my age, you get just as stuffed!

So, if I stick around long enough to be your age, things will get relatively worse? Feck it.

Truth be told, I am doing something about it but these things take time.

[wing.c]

First off, thank you for the advice!

For the time being it's hard to take leave due to my obligation to my current job. (and the lack of leave)

I see that skype/web conference will be one of my option as well. How open are Singapore employers in terms of that?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Dependent on the employer. Some are more open to it than others. I know it's used reasonably often in the IT sector and in the larger MNC's but with regard to local SME's not too sure.

[nakatago]

First off, thank you for the advice!

For the time being it's hard to take leave due to my obligation to my current job. (and the lack of leave)

I see that skype/web conference will be one of my option as well. How open are Singapore employers in terms of that?

I can sympathize with the inability to take a leave of absence.

Put it this way: if they bother to contact you abroad, they're probably interested. At least you'll have some way to sort out which companies will probably hire you.

[richie303]

I employ IT infrastructure engineers/architects etc, I have no real need for software engineering as I deal mainly with Infrastructure personally.

However, thinking from my perspective and having worked for only MNC's I don't like doing telephone interviews for engineer roles, I have a team of locals and I don't have the appetite to fight for a larger budget to get someone from overseas, it differs for Architects and more skilled people.

I think you may find it difficult, not sure about the SMEs though. MNCs are ok with skype etc for more senior roles I think.

Don't stop trying though.

[FaeLLe]

Hi all,

First time poster, I am a Software Engineer currently working in US looking for Software related position in Singapore. I have about 6 years of experience in both Software QA and Development and a Master in Software Engineer.I have been applying to job postings online, but they seem to ended up in the Internet application abyss.

It seems one of my downfall is me not being physically in Singapore for the first in person interview. What are some of the ways to go over this hurdle?
W

One of the things i have learnt is that it is all about how you position yourself.

You need to demonstrate some value creator differentiation.
Have put in some recommendations below which are difficult to have at a s/w developer level but always upsell yourself if you believe that you have
the capabilities and are ready to perform at the next level.

Something I always advise others on and a culture encouraged in my circles is to, "Get thrown in and swim or drown".......

Some recommendations are,
- Domain skills
- Business Operator capabilities
- Client handling skills
- Self operator

Attempt to quantify yourself and highlight them.

Eg.

"Developed a Visual C++ package for XYZ Supply Chain"
vs.
"Developed a Visual C++ package for use in supply chain of XYZ to provide inventory coordination capabilities across 65 business units with interfaces to over 500 vendors"