EPEC Holder + Met Salary & Educational Reqs = EP Rejected?

[AAPL]

Hi All,

Currently a bit frustrated right now as my EP has been denied eventhough it seems that I have met all the criteria for getting an EP.

Details:
EPEC Holder with a 1yr LTVP
Salary: Above the Q1 EP Pass minimum of $3k
Degree: Recognised degrees from a local university (NUS/NTU/SMU) and also a top 5 university (H/Y/P/Oxbridge)
Role: Business Development Associate
Relevant Experience In this Industry: 0
Other Experience/Internships: ~1 year
Age: 23

After being a student in Singapore, I held an EP with an MNC (in a different industry than the one I am currently offered) for 6 months before I got an opportunity to pursue further studies with my dream school.

It seems that they might have penalised me for not having enough experience in this new industry but surely they cannot be expecting years of experience especially if its from a 23yr old candidate? Or that I decided to switch industries? Or that I left my previous job to pursue further studies?

So far the company's been pretty supportive but it seems they need to fill that position pretty quickly and I'm not sure if they're willing to submit an appeal which will take at least 4 weeks before an outcome is known. Though I have emailed HR suggesting if they could work on an appeal.

Just wanted to seek some advice from anyone who knows/were previously in a similar situation as me.

Thanks,
AAPL

[sundaymorningstaple]

Why should they give an inexperienced kids an EP without any experience? You think having a degree is the be-all and end-all and everybody should roll out the red carpet for you? If you are not a citizen or a PR then maybe you should take your degree and go home and use it there. Here, you need qualifications AND experience. The free rides because of going to school here are a thing of the past. Something you will only read about in history books. An EP is a privilege, not a right. The requirements are minimum "for consideration". It's not a guarantee.

[the lynx]

This may or may not relate highly to your EP chance but which nationality are you? And you said you studied in Singapore before, how long and what course?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Appeal? Don't bother. Unless you have some relevant experience that you neglected to submit in your initial application or relevant Certificates you forgot to include, it's a total waste of time.

Lynx, I believe he may well be Chinese but unsure if PRC or Malaysian/Indonesian, but without experience he's peeing into the wind.

[olivia242]

I couldn't agree more with the above. My advice to you is to get some relevant experience and then try again in a few years time then you actually have something to offer the country.

In granting an EP, they are thinking about the contribution that you can make, amongst other things, to the country, including its economy. If you research on Singapore you will realise that it is trying to attract talent to sustain its grown and remain competitive in the region. If all it wanted to do was grow the population then you'd be fine but it doesn't. Singapore must operate tight controls for political and economic reasons. Just reading the newspaper regularly would allow you to draw this basic conclusion for yourself.

What can you prove to the authorities that you can contribute? Nothing. Fancy degrees do not demonstrate anything other than an ability to study and an EP is not a graduation gift from the MOE. There is no substitute for real experience in proving your value.

Our replies may be harsh but it is better that you have an accurate picture so that you don't waste time in flogging a dead horse.

[the lynx]

I can only put it simply with this sentence.

In the current economic strength and security in Singapore, MOM (and also ICA) can afford to choose whoever they want to approve/grant.

Think supply and demand.

[zzm9980]

Off-topic and Out of curiosity, is your forum name the stock ticker for the company you applied for, or used to work for?

[AAPL]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the comments and I appreciate the honesty of those thoughts.

Why should they give an inexperienced kids an EP without any experience? You think having a degree is the be-all and end-all and everybody should roll out the red carpet for you?.

Not at all. I'm a strong believer that nobody owes you a living and you have to go out there and make yours. Why should they give an inexperienced kids an EP without any experience? No reason at all. But I came to the conclusion that in the past, I've graduated with no experience, found a job, and was granted an EP so I thought this time round it would be the same again.

Appeal? Don't bother. Unless you have some relevant experience that you neglected to submit in your initial application or relevant Certificates you forgot to include, it's a total waste of time.

- The only relevant experience i can think of that relates directly to this position is my high school part time job with a small company (now defunct) which i held for about 4 years but did not include it in the official EP application as I only got paid hourly.

- The other certificates which I didn't include were the EPEC itself which clearly states at the bottom of it, that says "NB: Please attach a copy of this certificate when applying for an employment pass". Silly me.

Off-topic and Out of curiosity, is your forum name the stock ticker for the company you applied for, or used to work for?

-Nope, I'm just a great fan of the stock thats all.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Then I think I'd possibly attach it if it is still valid. (I believe it's good for 12 months?) As that is pretty relevant. At least under the old framework. Give it a try.

[JR8]

- The other certificates which I didn't include were the EPEC itself which clearly states at the bottom of it, that says "NB: Please attach a copy of this certificate when applying for an employment pass". Silly me.

[sundaymorningstaple]

- The other certificates which I didn't include were the EPEC itself which clearly states at the bottom of it, that says "NB: Please attach a copy of this certificate when applying for an employment pass". Silly me.

AAPL, you have a masters right?

[AAPL]

- The other certificates which I didn't include were the EPEC itself which clearly states at the bottom of it, that says "NB: Please attach a copy of this certificate when applying for an employment pass". Silly me.

AAPL, you have a masters right?

Yep. That's right.

[JR8]

From a prestigious university?

[AAPL]

From a prestigious university?

Well, I think the term 'prestigious university' means many different things to many people. There are some really great business/engineering/law programs that don't get enough attention in the media or mainstream public but are truly valued by employers within that industry and its graduates highly sought after.. So prestigious or not is a very subjective term.

That being said, I do hold degrees from a local university (NUS/NTU/SMU) and also a top 5 university (according to the link below)

http://www.topuniversities.com/universi ... kings/2011

[JR8]

Right I see.