Quick thoughts on a potential move

[TomS.]

Hi guys. Just to introduce myself I'm Tom, 20 years old and live in London at present.

I moved here about 2 years ago and have worked in the shipping industry for about a year. Yesterday I sent an employer a covering letter and CV by post for a vacancy they have. Today I had communication with the man in charge who started to question me about whether I would consider a move to their Singapore office. I get the feeling that he will start to tap me up for that.

Of course nothing is definite and I do not want to waste your time, but I would just like to hear any thoughts about my situation. I would like to experience Singapore at some point in my life and am certainly not afraid to move abroad.

My question really is would this be a good move / something to seriously consider if offered at such a young age / early point in my career? I don't expect a huge salary or luxury lifestyle. But I would like to take my girlfriend (slightly older, EU citizen, and yes she is willing to move abroad!) and have read that I would need at least SGD 3 K pm.

Can anyone see any real disadvantages to starting a proper career over in Singapore, or would it be better to establish myself in London first?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[the lynx]

Hi guys. Just to introduce myself I'm Tom, 20 years old and live in London at present.

I moved here about 2 years ago and have worked in the shipping industry for about a year. Yesterday I sent an employer a covering letter and CV by post for a vacancy they have. Today I had communication with the man in charge who started to question me about whether I would consider a move to their Singapore office. I get the feeling that he will start to tap me up for that.

Of course nothing is definite and I do not want to waste your time, but I would just like to hear any thoughts about my situation. I would like to experience Singapore at some point in my life and am certainly not afraid to move abroad.

My question really is would this be a good move / something to seriously consider if offered at such a young age / early point in my career? I don't expect a huge salary or luxury lifestyle. But I would like to take my girlfriend (slightly older, EU citizen, and yes she is willing to move abroad!) and have read that I would need at least SGD 3 K pm.

Can anyone see any real disadvantages to starting a proper career over in Singapore, or would it be better to establish myself in London first?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Well I always advocate working abroad at young age for exposure and experience. But most importantly, what is in the package that they are offering you there?

You need to weigh in those to consider if your move would be a waste of time. Plus you're considering to bring your girlfriend, which is actually another big factor to work on.

First, does your prospect in Singapore able to provide you training or skills that you can use for the betterment of your career ahead? You didn't mention what kind of work you do in shipping industry so I have no idea what to advice.

Second, to follow-up with the first question, are you eligible for work pass issued by Ministry of Manpower (MOM)? They can choose to approve or reject your visa based on few criteria (qualifications, job scope, skills). You can use the self-assessment tool to find out. http://sat.mom.gov.sg/satservlet

Third, what is in your package? How much are they paying you and what are your benefits? Very important here.

Fourth, will your girlfriend be working in Singapore too? If she is, good. She can try to get her own work pass on her own merit. If not, she cannot follow you on dependent pass because you're not married to her (not if you're earning a lot). And I doubt your company is willing to sponsor her on long-term social visit pass (LTSVP) for you.

Come back here with more info and we can try to advise the best we can.

[x9200]

It would be better to establish yourself in London first.
Firstly, 3k is close to the bottom, you can live on this in a shared accommodation but depending on your current life style you may struggle, especially with two people on board.
Secondly, it is not that easy to bring your GF over here and have her to stay with you even on the long term social visit pass (LTVP) - search this one out it was covered earlier in dozens of threads and details.
Lastly, you have a very limited work experience so chances of you getting a work pass are also rather limited.

If you think seriously of coming to Singapore:
1. Stay where you are for a few more years, develop your career if possible etc.
2. Start living with your GF together, pay together utility bills, have some shared bank account - you will need this later as a proof of cohabitation to allow your GF to get the LTVP. Of course you can get married too

[offshoreoildude]

Don't listen to the nay sayers. You'll survive, albeit on the bones of your arse - but you'll learn so much more than you can believe. I worked overseas at 23 and it shaped and made my life.

[the lynx]

Don't listen to the nay sayers. You'll survive, albeit on the bones of your arse - but you'll learn so much more than you can believe. I worked overseas at 23 and it shaped and made my life.

Since when we said anything nay up there? We're just giving objective advices. I was asking questions he ought to ask himself first, considering that it is a big move and it involves two persons instead of one.

[x9200]

Don't listen to the nay sayers. You'll survive, albeit on the bones of your arse - but you'll learn so much more than you can believe. I worked overseas at 23 and it shaped and made my life.

Cutting your arm and leg with a knife would probably do just the same (you'll learn so much more than you can believe) but IMHO it would not necessarily be an optimal career route. Besides, he's 20 you were 23 and this is just the time he needs to boost his chances.

[offshoreoildude]

Don't listen to the nay sayers. You'll survive, albeit on the bones of your arse - but you'll learn so much more than you can believe. I worked overseas at 23 and it shaped and made my life.

Since when we said anything nay up there? We're just giving objective advices. I was asking questions he ought to ask himself first, considering that it is a big move and it involves two persons instead of one.

Read my post - did I say 'naysayers up there?' - no - I implied naysayers in general.

[TomS.]

Well firstly thank you all for taking the time to answer.

I,too, think that it would be better to stay in London for a few years. I will aim for this when I next speak to him and let him know that I would move to Singapore, but I'd rather stay here for a year or two first. I know that Singapore would open up a lot of opportunities and would benefit my career masssively.

I guess what I am worried about is whether the company is just trying to move staff to the Far East to save money and employ people on the cheap.
That could just be a complete misconception by myself, however.

FYI it is shipbroking that I am involved in.

Will update you all with the situation once it is clearer.

[offshoreoildude]

Well firstly thank you all for taking the time to answer.

I,too, think that it would be better to stay in London for a few years. I will aim for this when I next speak to him and let him know that I would move to Singapore, but I'd rather stay here for a year or two first. I know that Singapore would open up a lot of opportunities and would benefit my career masssively.

I guess what I am worried about is whether the company is just trying to move staff to the Far East to save money and employ people on the cheap.
That could just be a complete misconception by myself, however.

FYI it is shipbroking that I am involved in.

Will update you all with the situation once it is clearer.

There's quite a few young pommies in Shipbroking out here.

[celticrooster]

I'd stay where you are...the market is a bit funny at the moment and SG is an expensive place to gain experience in......