Dismayed With Singapore Salaries

[zzm9980]

Nak, that looks like pita with salad inside...

Now THIS is a real American burger:

from: http://eater.com/archives/2010/04/20/cl ... aurant.php

Except for the small size, I've been happy enough with burgers I've had in Singapore. Botak Jones, the Handburger, etc... And even the size is good enough to fill you up. It just dismays me the price vs how much more you get in the US.

[nakatago]

Nak, that looks like pita with salad inside...

Trust me, it's a proper hamburger bun--a massive one. It ain't no flatbread. I've had one before--tried the place and while waiting for my food, I was wondering why it was more expensive than usual. Then I saw the burger.

But yeah, the prices here are disheartening. For a decent, ground cow sandwich, we have to pay "casual dining" prices.

[Mi Amigo]

We should probably splt this off into a separate thread, otherwise breakfastforthebestfood may not get any further help with his main query.

[pengembara]

I can concur with some of the information already posted. Having recently negotiated a relocation to Singapore I had to accept about a 30-35% reduction in salary compared to what I was earning previously in western Europe. But it is all relative: after comparing to what others are getting in Singapore it actually is not bad and the overall cost of living, and tax rates, are generally lower than in the industrialized countries. Compared to other Asian countries in the region (e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand) Singapore salaries are actually very good.

[zzm9980]

Compared to other Asian countries in the region (e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand) Singapore salaries are actually very good.

Cost of living is also lower in those places though! I could maintain my current standard of living for about $3k a month in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. The people are friendlier and girls cuter too.

[ecureilx]

Compared to other Asian countries in the region (e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand) Singapore salaries are actually very good.

Cost of living is also lower in those places though! I could maintain my current standard of living for about $3k a month in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. The people are friendlier and girls cuter too.

3k S$ ? I could add KUL, when I was working up there, it used to cost about less than that, don't wanna comment about the cute girls though

[zzm9980]

Yeah $3k SGD. And i specifically said "my" standards as the middle class probably does do on less than a third in those cities

[TFNG]

You might want to look at the Singapore American Chamber of Commerce website http://www.amcham.org.sg/ for a list of American companies doing business in Singapore. (I noticed there is an Aerospace & Defense Committee. This would be my job search starting point. ) Once you identified companies in SG, use your network to try and find the names of people you can contact.

Searching for a job is SG (Asia actually) is vastly different that in the US. Unless you are extremely lucky, the onus is on you to get out there and find lead, make contacts, and get interviews. BIG HINT: forget using headhunter/recruitment agencies. They are a complete waste of time. Also, I have had the most success with cold calling people/HR. Emails, especially in SG, are rarely answered. BEST ADVICE: Invite people for coffee, or lunch. The more you get someone to invest their time in you, the higher chance you get an interview, name of hiring manager, or a lead on an open position.

NOTE: To find a job in SG you really need to be in SG. Too many headaches for the company to consider someone who is not on island given the current global economic climate.

I would be glad to answer any other questions you might have, PM with your questions.

TFNG

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually, don't PM the above poster with your questions. Keep them on the open board where all may benefit. That what we do on this board.

[ecureilx]

BEST ADVICE: Invite people for coffee, or lunch. The more you get someone to invest their time in you, the higher chance you get an interview, name of hiring manager, or a lead on an open position....

Invite HR people of potential employers out for coffee or lunch ?? haha .. you are kidding ..

Let me know when or how that happens ??

[nutnut]

I had a not bad burger at TGI Friday's in I12 Katong, you choose the burger then make it ultimate....

It looks like the one at the top of the menu here.



Not actually a bad burger! cooked nicely, not too overdone and it's fairly good (does cost $31 for an ultimate Cheesy Cheese and Bacon Burger though )

[the lynx]

I had a not bad burger at TGI Friday's in I12 Katong, you choose the burger then make it ultimate....

It looks like the one at the top of the menu here.

(Burger heaven image)

Not actually a bad burger! cooked nicely, not too overdone and it's fairly good (does cost $31 for an ultimate Cheesy Cheese and Bacon Burger though )

[zzm9980]

$31? holy crap. TGI Fridays was such crap back in the states. For $31 I could get that burger and probably two pitchers of margaritas there!

[YankStuckinSuiss]

BEST ADVICE: Invite people for coffee, or lunch. The more you get someone to invest their time in you, the higher chance you get an interview, name of hiring manager, or a lead on an open position....

Invite HR people of potential employers out for coffee or lunch ?? haha .. you are kidding ..

Let me know when or how that happens ??

haha...

Nah I guess he is saying...find out who knows these people and invite them and use your "guanxi" to get to the hiring manager or HR people. That is a long process of bar hopping, and asking around...not easy. Link In may help, but only so much. I guess after some time here you can do this, but it takes time, and that means you have been in Singapore with no job for how long at that point? You better have significant savings to blow...

[TFNG]

BEST ADVICE: Invite people for coffee, or lunch. The more you get someone to invest their time in you, the higher chance you get an interview, name of hiring manager, or a lead on an open position....

Invite HR people of potential employers out for coffee or lunch ?? haha .. you are kidding ..

Let me know when or how that happens ??

Ecureilx,

Last week, Thursday, 11:00, Tanjong Pagar.

To be fair, I didn't meet the HR person for coffee.

I had an interview.

The interviewer was the person I would replace; they will leave the firm next week and so far, I have been the only applicant they have interviewed.

Not bad since I had only contacted the company 5 days earlier.

I had a meeting scheduled with another HR person with another firm for last Thursday also. She rescheduled it because she decided I did not need to meet with her; I should meet directly with the hiring manager. I was told to expect an email on Monday with the date and time for early next week.

Now my only concern is that there could be a conflict with a third company I contacted and that I am waiting to hear from about an interview for early next week.

My approach is based upon human nature. By calling and offering something (coffee/lunch), human nature is to try and reciprocate. Additionally, as you imply, busy people don't want to meet someone they don't know. Because of these conflicting issues, I usually am given the opportunity to pitch myself right there on the phone for the position and if they think I am a match for the position, I am able to email my resume/CV directly to the person I am speaking with.

The outcome of my approach is I am now not a name on a resume/CV in a stack of resumes/CVs, but am a name to a person. An additional benefit is I usually get a return email which includes the person’s email signature. This email signature usually contains their direct phone number (if not, call the company’s main switchboard). I always politely ask if it would be ok to give them a call in a couple of days to follow up. They always say yes.

I have no guarantee that any of these contacts will end in employment. But I can say that having three job possibilities after two weeks of looking is not luck. It is hard work, adapting to the situation, and believing in yourself because nothing in life is free.

Now, how I got the HR staff's names in the first place, that is for another rant.

TFNG