Headhunters and Singapore - my experience

[wannamove]

I know there are a lot of posts discussing headhunters in Singapore. I thought I will throw in my experience.

A little bit of background - I am an engineer with 10+ yrs experience.

I got in touch with some headhunters online and the results were neutral. They will answer your calls and then promise to look and then silence.
It was not the best situation to be in. I booked my tickets to Singapore for a job hunt - I passed the information to the recuriters and landed in their offices. My first 3 days in Singapore I visited all the recruiters I had on my list. A personal meeting helps - got a couple of interviews and then ended up with a job.

I would highly recommend visiting Singapore and talking to recruiters. Phone calls and emails did not seem really effective in my case.

[YankStuckinSuiss]

Thanks for the info...that's what i suspected.

How long from the time you got to Singapore did you get a job offer? After you got the offer, how long did it take to secure your paperwork/work permit, etc?

[wannamove]

Thanks for the info...that's what i suspected.

How long from the time you got to Singapore did you get a job offer? After you got the offer, how long did it take to secure your paperwork/work permit, etc?

I was in Singapore for a total of 15 days. I had 2 offers before I left Singapore. Another one came a week after I returned to US.

I had asked for 8 weeks before starting. So my paperwork and stuff happened over the course of 8 works and I still felt rushed.

I am boarding my flight to Singapore tomorrow

Good luck

[sundaymorningstaple]

YankinSwiss,

wannamove is one of the more fortunate ones. While a few of the regulars here are very optimistic, I really don't thing it would be wise for anybody in the current situation here, to feel that this is the normal course of events here. This forum is full of wreckage of those with similar lengths of experience and high qualifications who too 6 months or even longer to secure a position here. Yank would need to prepare himself for the worst case scenario on a job prospecting junket out here, to be fair.

[BillyB]

Horses for courses. I guess it depends on your attitude to risk and how much you want to work in Singapore.

We (the regulars) probably take this place for granted having been here some time, so we can't really relate to that eagerness for changing jobs, working in another Country. or just wanting to get out of your current environment.

But the OP is a good example of what can happen during a short trip here. It's dependent on a number of factors of course - skillset, industry, demand, seeing the right people - but I'd take a chance and try your luck.

Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all huh!!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Agreed. But just make sure you have the wherewithal necessary for the stretch should it come to that. Like the old AMEX commercial, "Don't leave home without it"

[YankStuckinSuiss]

SMS:

I appreciate the sober warning.

Since i make a considerable salary in Switzerland, should I just apply for a PEP...I'm making well over $8,000 USD or Singapore Dollars here a month. Bear in mind I also have the EPEC coming in the mail now...not sure if that would conflict.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually, you can flip a coin. But, even with the EPEC, it doesn't mean you can get the job as the employer has to jump through some hoops as well. (Shouldn't be a problem in reality, but the possibility is there and a lot HAVE been rejected due to the employer not being able to qualify).

However, if you qualify for the PEP and get the AIP for that, then the job search is up to you provided you can find a job that will earn at least 48K/year SGD. The drawback to this is that the PEP is only good for 1 time and you only have 6 months to find a job. It's good for 5 years and after that you would have to either try to obtain PR or go on an EP (P1 more than likely).

Basically, either way is good but each have their drawbacks as well.

You buys your ticket and you takes your chances!

sms