Experience in European finance -> job in Asian finance?

[Flashman]

Hello,

If somebody (like me) has 14 years of investment banking experience in Europe (stock analysis & bond fund management), how would this be considered for a job in Singapore... ie. with no Asian experience?

I would concede that I have no experience in the Asian stock/bond markets and therefore am wary about the possibilities of finding a job in Singapore.

My specs:
- 37 years old
- speak English (mother tongue), Finnish, Swedish, learning Mandarin
- am considering proposing to my investment bank here in Finland to start a new fund to invest in Asia (our local competitors have such funds) that I could manage, which would help get some Asian capital markets experience
- aim would be to move to Singapore in a few years, when my Mandarin is better
- CFA almost complete

How would you gauge my chances of finding a finance job in Singapore at that time?

Thanks in advance for any and all helpful comments/advice! (I hope to contribute also to this forum in the future, not just ask questions )

[BillyB]

With the way the markets are at the moment, 2 years is long-term! it's impossible to answer. Does anyone really know what the markets are going to do in the next 2 months never mind the next 2 years.

Jobs on the buy-side are very lean in SG. You might have more luck in HK, so drop Mandarin and learn Cantonese instead, or even better - learn both!

If you were looking at the sell-side, then you'll find there tends to be more positions in the research space but, again, most of the action happens in HK.

Try calling H.R at funds and banks, and also try the local recruiters to see what their views are on the ground. Although do take what some of them say with a pinch of salt as most of the front office recruiters here are morons. www.efinancialcareers.com.sg is also a good starting point.

If you are serious about Asia, a 2 week networking/reccy trip would stand you in good measure to see if you like it and to build up your network.

All the best!

[Flashman]

With the way the markets are at the moment, 2 years is long-term! it's impossible to answer. Does anyone really know what the markets are going to do in the next 2 months never mind the next 2 years.

Jobs on the buy-side are very lean in SG. You might have more luck in HK, so drop Mandarin and learn Cantonese instead, or even better - learn both!

If you were looking at the sell-side, then you'll find there tends to be more positions in the research space but, again, most of the action happens in HK.

Try calling H.R at funds and banks, and also try the local recruiters to see what their views are on the ground. Although do take what some of them say with a pinch of salt as most of the front office recruiters here are morons. www.efinancialcareers.com.sg is also a good starting point.

If you are serious about Asia, a 2 week networking/reccy trip would stand you in good measure to see if you like it and to build up your network.

All the best!

Thanks very much!
I do have a preference for the buy-side, to be honest, so interesting to hear your comment that it is lean in SG.

I did ponder learning Cantonese, but it's a big gamble to take it over Mandarin, considering Mandarin is the language of 1.3bn+ people, while Cantonese is spoken "only" by some 30-40m.

While Hong Kong is nice, and would be the place for me if I can't find something in Singapore, my #1 dream place to live is Singapore.

Thanks again!