Singapore Expats

way too eager...

Discuss about getting a well paid job or career advancement. Ask about salaries, expat packages, CPF & taxes for expatriate.
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Journeyman86
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way too eager...

Post by Journeyman86 » Wed, 12 Oct 2011 5:39 pm

Hi,

I recently arrived from London to work for a marketing agency.

At the time I was really determined to come to Singapore and a company offered me a good role at S$4k a month. At the time I thought this was ok and i'd read on a couple of sites that it should be enough. I'm 25 so at my age I wasn't expecting an incredible package.

However I've since come to realise that my skills are worth more here, and actually 4k is not really enough and I really regret not negotiating. I was just excited about the opportunity..


Anyway, another company actually wants to speak to me regarding another role and they have been made aware of my salary concerns. So far all I know is that I need a salary increase in order to make this worth my while. I've only been hear a month so changing jobs will look bad and I don't really want to but salary may dicatate I have no choice.

At this juncture I have two options:

1. Speak to my boss and ask for a raise... (this i've been thinking about and I don't know how it will go down)
2. Take another job... (will look bad on my CV but the salary could persuade me. It could get a little complicated with the MOM however...)

Does anyone have experience in changing jobs and will the MOM issue another e-pass given that a change in jobs looks erratic.

Thanks

Amit

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Post by ausinsg » Wed, 12 Oct 2011 6:12 pm

If your skills are worth more than you realised here, then you should be on track to prove this to your company. If you are way ahead of your KPIs and have proven to your company that you can deliver more than is asked of you, go speak to your manager by all means.

Companies like a chance to retain top talent rather than losing it.

However bear in mind a couple of things. Firstly did your moving here inconvenience them at all? Did they have to wait for you to serve notice in the UK or pay to help you relocate? You need to be fair to them if they held the position for you or helped you get on your feet here.

Also remember you are likely to still be on your probation period, so if you come across as calculative or ungrateful, they could just terminate your position. That works if you want to get another job, but you have to leave the country in two weeks time, so you may not have time for the new visa to be issued.

Just try to keep in mind what is fair for all concerned.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:52 pm

ausinsg wrote:If your skills are worth more than you realised here, then you should be on track to prove this to your company. If you are way ahead of your KPIs and have proven to your company that you can deliver more than is asked of you, go speak to your manager by all means.

Companies like a chance to retain top talent rather than losing it.

However bear in mind a couple of things. Firstly did your moving here inconvenience them at all? Did they have to wait for you to serve notice in the UK or pay to help you relocate? You need to be fair to them if they held the position for you or helped you get on your feet here.

Also remember you are likely to still be on your probation period, so if you come across as calculative or ungrateful, they could just terminate your position. That works if you want to get another job, but you have to leave the country in two weeks time, so you may not have time for the new visa to be issued.

Just try to keep in mind what is fair for all concerned.
Actually, upon cancellation of an EP the employee will be issued a 30 day social visit pass, not two weeks.

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... ation.aspx
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by ecureilx » Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:30 am

sundaymorningstaple wrote: Actually, upon cancellation of an EP the employee will be issued a 30 day social visit pass, not two weeks.

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... ation.aspx
Exactly :D

Only Maids, upon cancellation, get 7 days or 14 days .. if I remember correctly ...

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Post by ausinsg » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 3:16 am

sundaymorningstaple wrote:
Actually, upon cancellation of an EP the employee will be issued a 30 day social visit pass, not two weeks.
Thanks for the correction. I have been on so many different visas here I am starting to lose track! ;-)

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 6:58 am

We have the same problem, especially if one has been on the board for a long time. The gahmen constantly changing the goalposts and they rarely send out flyer letting us know (unless it's for higher CPF or FWL levies). :-(
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Re: way too eager...

Post by generalsu » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:32 am

Journeyman86 wrote:Hi,

I recently arrived from London to work for a marketing agency.

At the time I was really determined to come to Singapore and a company offered me a good role at S$4k a month. At the time I thought this was ok and i'd read on a couple of sites that it should be enough. I'm 25 so at my age I wasn't expecting an incredible package.

However I've since come to realise that my skills are worth more here, and actually 4k is not really enough and I really regret not negotiating. I was just excited about the opportunity..


Anyway, another company actually wants to speak to me regarding another role and they have been made aware of my salary concerns. So far all I know is that I need a salary increase in order to make this worth my while. I've only been hear a month so changing jobs will look bad and I don't really want to but salary may dicatate I have no choice.

At this juncture I have two options:

1. Speak to my boss and ask for a raise... (this i've been thinking about and I don't know how it will go down)
2. Take another job... (will look bad on my CV but the salary could persuade me. It could get a little complicated with the MOM however...)

Does anyone have experience in changing jobs and will the MOM issue another e-pass given that a change in jobs looks erratic.

Thanks

Amit
As long as you don't do any crime or violate the laws of SG, then you can change jobs as many times as you like. Every job change is of course subject to Employment Pass approval by MOM. If you have already done your medical check and fingerprinting in the last 6 months or so, then once your EP is approved, all you have to do is collect your pass.

Speaking of your salary, if you think your skills are worth more, then why don't you go back to your own country? I am sure London has higher pay than Singapore.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:36 am

Biggest draw would be tax difference.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:37 am

Biggest draw would be tax difference.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Re: way too eager...

Post by ausinsg » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:26 pm

Journeyman86 wrote: At the time I was really determined to come to Singapore
Or a girl! ;)

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Re: way too eager...

Post by beppi » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 5:15 pm

generalsu wrote:As long as you don't do any crime or violate the laws of SG, then you can change jobs as many times as you like. Every job change is of course subject to Employment Pass approval by MOM. If you have already done your medical check and fingerprinting in the last 6 months or so, then once your EP is approved, all you have to do is collect your pass.
This is not true.
MoM doesn't publicise their criteria for EP approval, but indications are that they don't like job-hoppers. There were cases (discussed on this board, if I remember correctly) where people were rejected and their changing jobs after a short time seemed the only reasonable explanation.

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Re: way too eager...

Post by generalsu » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 7:26 pm

beppi wrote:
generalsu wrote:As long as you don't do any crime or violate the laws of SG, then you can change jobs as many times as you like. Every job change is of course subject to Employment Pass approval by MOM. If you have already done your medical check and fingerprinting in the last 6 months or so, then once your EP is approved, all you have to do is collect your pass.
This is not true.
MoM doesn't publicise their criteria for EP approval, but indications are that they don't like job-hoppers. There were cases (discussed on this board, if I remember correctly) where people were rejected and their changing jobs after a short time seemed the only reasonable explanation.
So are you saying I have to stay at a job that I don't like for the next 1 or 2 years before changing? During the interview, everyone puts on their best behavior and impression, but once you are employed, the fish may start to smell really bad, if you know what I mean. So MOM expects you to be trapped in a stink job?

Come on, things happen. Employees/employers sometime make wrong decisions and MOM should take that into account.

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Post by beppi » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 7:51 pm

I am not saying you have to, or should stay in a bad job.
First, there are many more jobs in the world than in Singapore.
Second, MoM is mostly reasonable and will allow a job change (but not more than once) if a good reason is given (same as the new employer, who will during the interview certainly ask why you want to change).
MoM doesn't usually disclose the reason for rejection - and makes a decision only after your old EP is cancelled, so you may end up with no job and have to return home.
You decide if the risk is worth the chance of a better work environment.
Last edited by beppi on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 8:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: way too eager...

Post by beppi » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 7:53 pm

generalsu wrote:Come on, things happen. Employees/employers sometime make wrong decisions and MOM should take that into account.
You won't make any friends at MoM with such a reasoning!

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Re: way too eager...

Post by ecureilx » Fri, 14 Oct 2011 8:08 pm

beppi wrote:
generalsu wrote:Come on, things happen. Employees/employers sometime make wrong decisions and MOM should take that into account.
You won't make any friends at MoM with such a reasoning!
Depends on your RANK, Sergeant ..




Coat/Hat/Umbrella ..

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