HELP! British Citizen but hold DP visa, desperately need job

[Sat&Susan]

Hi All,

I'm a British citizen, but hold a Dependant Pass visa for 3 years minimum. Been here since March 2012 and in desperate need for a job, otherwise will have to head back to the UK by the end of the year. Wife has a job here, at Changi General Hospital, but unless I get something, we'll both go back.

{Edited by Moderator}
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic1176.html

[zzm9980]

This isn't a forum for job seekers, unless you're looking for general advice related to job hunting in Singapore.

[Sat&Susan]

sorry for using the forumn for the wrong reason. I am certainly after advice.

Have been looking for the last 4-5 months, applied directly to the big banks here in SG - HSBC, Standard Chartered, DBS, RBS, Deutche, etc, etc. But have not got a single interview. Agencies also never come back to you, apart from the odd one or two.

is it doomed for foreigners here? With 14 years experience, with qualifications, woud have thought I would get at least some interviews.

As soon as HR/Agencies see a foreign application, does it just go in the bin??

[bobypf]

Dude, I've been trying for 1 year until I got it. It takes time and you must do it every day.

[v4jr4]

As soon as HR/Agencies see a foreign application, does it just go in the bin??

Welcome to the "strict competition" year. Probably it's not your skill set. There will be a lot of factors, like, for example, salary, age, and the chance for you to get your own EP.

[Sat&Susan]

if its down to competition, then I don't mind so much because I know at some point I will be the right fit for someone. What I'm worried about is that employers dismiss me because I'm not an SG citizen or PR. Then I have absolutely no chance!

Do employers take on people with a Dependent Pass visa? I've read that employers then only need to get a Letter of Consent. Not sure if this helps in any way compared to being on a visitor pass..

bobypf - how did you get a job eventually, was is through direct applications to the big banks or via agencies? were you a DP holder at the time?

thanks for the comments so far

[bobypf]

bobypf - how did you get a job eventually, was is through direct applications to the big banks or via agencies? were you a DP holder at the time?

thanks for the comments so far

First, I am not in the banking sector but I don't think there's any difference. It's the same for all.

I was here as a regular tourist so my situation was much worse than yours. The thing I wanted to say was that you just have to be very pushy and persistent. I am sure that when the right time comes, you'll get what you want. I thought it's impossible because I had tried too many times and many times I was on the verge of giving up. But then one day I was offered. And I don't even have a degree. It's super difficult, but definitely not impossible.

If you don't know people and don't have any connections here, I can only advise you to spend 2 hours every day going through all the advertisements. Write them e-mail, polish up your CV and hope for the best. The CV is very important because people here get impressed by good looking and well designed documents. As for me, I gave mine to a singaporean from RJC who made it perfect so hats down to his design skills.

[Sat&Susan]

thanks for your help bobypf. I have been looking nearly every day and have applied for lots of roles now but I will continue to persevere!

[revhappy]

Not sure if you have already done it, but in this part of the world, you upload your CV into job sites and then wait for companies to call you. You dont need to directly aproach every bank or agency out there, thats a much tougher approach.

The famous job sites are:
monster
efinancialcareers(especially for finance jobs)
jobsdb

If you have uploaded your cv in these sites and still dont get calls, then there isn't much you can do.

Cheers! and good luck!

[morenangpinay]

are you a DP of an EP holder? If you are then you need to highlight this to the employers. Some of them don't know that you only need a letter of consent.

aside from that, it is very difficult for this time for all foreigners unless you have a specific skill set which is difficult to find among the locals.

[Sat&Susan]

rechappy - I have my CV uploaded to efinancialcareers. I think its on DBjobs as well, will check and add if not. I will see if there are any other sites where I can do the same, so thanks.

morenangpinay - Yes I am a DP of an EP. My wife works for Changi general hospital. Actually that's the reason we came to SG, she was offerred a job whilst still in the UK. But I didn't realise that it would be tough for me!

[the lynx]

rechappy - I have my CV uploaded to efinancialcareers. I think its on DBjobs as well, will check and add if not. I will see if there are any other sites where I can do the same, so thanks.

morenangpinay - Yes I am a DP of an EP. My wife works for Changi general hospital. Actually that's the reason we came to SG, she was offerred a job whilst still in the UK. But I didn't realise that it would be tough for me!

Are you on LinkedIn? You should use your networks there to your advantage, although it is less direct and slower (if you do not have an account to begin with) but it is better than none.

[bluenose]

Why would any local employer take on an expat when they can get a local....who will not think outside the box, but do exactly as they are told and for 1/4 to 1/5 of the price they would need to pay you??
Sad but true....and also if your wife on EP, they know she could leave at anytime??

Reality is....salaries outside expat packages are quite poor here so dont expect a decent salary and you might be in with a shout

I have heard of others getting jobs with fairly decent salaries...but they never seem to last...

[Girl_Next_Door]

I'm working in one of the biggest global banks and recently, we have to hire two contract staff. The HR gave the job descriptions to one of the biggest recruitment firms in Singapore and a lot of CVs (mostly fresh graduates and 1-2 years working experiences) were sent over for review.

I noticed all the CVs are Singaporeans or PRs. However, none of the candidates has what we are looking for. I reached out to an ex-intern, for referrals and she introduced a few friends. In the end, we decided to go with 1 Indonesian who just graduated (not PR, only study pass or something) and another PR.

We simply told HR that we are taking these two candidates and for them to process the necessary documentations. They didn't comment or argue, and proceed to make the necessary arrangement for him to work in Singapore. The employment pass was also just approved yesterday (less than 2 weeks).

When my other colleagues heard that we got a fresh graduate who is not a resident in Singapore, they were all quite surprised. They were never been given the option to hire a foreigner (not to mention someone who is a fresh graduate).

I think in general, HR managers discouraged the hiring of foreigner, but it is not impossible. If the hiring manager wants you, especially in a big organization, the HR managers really can't do anything except processing the necesssary documentation.

I am not sure which field you are in, but do note that most of the major banks offers contract positions currently. It is really difficult to get approval/head counts for permanent positions. But for contract positions, its a lot easier. For you, I would recommend for you to reach out directly to hiring manager, probably via Linkedin for referrals. You should also consider contract positions, if that was not what you are looking for, previously.

Hope you find this useful!

[Sat&Susan]

My wife has a 3 year EP so we were looking to stay at least 3 years. She was actually encourage to come here as Singapore have a shortage of qualified physiotherapists and she has experience in the UK NHS. So if I don't get a job then they loose her as well by the end of the year.

Bluenose - you mentioned that someone on an EP could leave. But in any company you have turnover of staff, people come and go.

Girl-next-door, thanks for you advice. I am actually happy to work as a contractor or temp staff. I have even told agencies I am happy to accept a lower salary. I'm completely flexible, just want to be working! I'm actually in the banking sector, have worked for asset management companies, private Swiss bank, and Fund of Hedge Fund.

I understand the need to give jobs to local people, but if my partner has been given a 3 year EP pass in an area that SG has a demand, they can't expect me to sit at home for 3 years, maybe there should be some flexibilty of the rules in this situation.