Expat Advice

[JBoogie]

Hi,

I'm currently a web developer, who has found work in Singapore.
I just wanted to get some advice and opinions. I'm currently living in Australia and have been offered a position in a Media Company. I've been offered $3500 during probation period, and $3800 thereafter.

I'm not too sure if this is low for an expat or if i should keep looking?
I've also heard entitlements for Lodging and travel, is this standard for most jobs?

Thanks in advance guys

[the lynx]

Hi,

I'm currently a web developer, who has found work in Singapore.
I just wanted to get some advice and opinions. I'm currently living in Australia and have been offered a position in a Media Company. I've been offered $3500 during probation period, and $3800 thereafter.

I'm not too sure if this is low for an expat or if i should keep looking?
I've also heard entitlements for Lodging and travel, is this standard for most jobs?

Thanks in advance guys

You, my friend, have been offered a local package, not expat package. Just curious, are you a recent graduate or a long-timer in your industry?

[JBoogie]

Thanks for your reply,
I graduated last year, but have been working full time as a dev for around 2 years..


Should i be looking around more? or use this to get my foot in the door, then scout for more jobs?

[nakatago]

Looks marginally acceptable, a tad bit on the low side though. High for a local package. If the company, however, will provide lodging and travel allowances, might be ok and not bad for several years experience (depending on type of lodging of course).

Some things to consider:

* how much are you making in Australia?
* income tax in Singapore is really low
* how much are your living expenses a month?
* rent is s#!+ expensive in Singapore, much more than Sydney

Most definitely not a long time prospect unless you really fall in love in Singapore.

[offshoreoildude]

Hi,

I'm currently a web developer, who has found work in Singapore.
I just wanted to get some advice and opinions. I'm currently living in Australia and have been offered a position in a Media Company. I've been offered $3500 during probation period, and $3800 thereafter.

I'm not too sure if this is low for an expat or if i should keep looking?
I've also heard entitlements for Lodging and travel, is this standard for most jobs?

Thanks in advance guys

Ouch. Rent will wipe out all of that unless you share and even then you're out almost $1500 before you start.

[nakatago]

Hi,

I'm currently a web developer, who has found work in Singapore.
I just wanted to get some advice and opinions. I'm currently living in Australia and have been offered a position in a Media Company. I've been offered $3500 during probation period, and $3800 thereafter.

I'm not too sure if this is low for an expat or if i should keep looking?
I've also heard entitlements for Lodging and travel, is this standard for most jobs?

Thanks in advance guys

Ouch. Rent will wipe out all of that unless you share and even then you're out almost $1500 before you start.

He needs to definitely share. However, he also needs to clarify if the lodging and travel he heard about is from his would-be company or just something he heard about other companies through the grapevine.

[JBoogie]

I'm not too sure what the market is like, but 'Web developers" seem to be undercut by locals ie salaries based around 2000-2500 a month...

Do you think this would be a good start getting my foot in the door? I guess im thinking if i get there and stay for a year i can network and find more opportunities ?

[nakatago]

Do you think this would be a good start getting my foot in the door? I guess im thinking if i get there and stay for a year i can network and find more opportunities ?

That will be tough since you'll be competing against cheaper labor unless you're a rockstar developer. But this is Asia; it's almost always about the money. Moreover, the country's policies are gradually getting rid of foreign workers in favor of local 'talent'--such as those locals who are going for 2500-2800 a month. Safe to say, your foot won't stay in for a long time.

[v4jr4]

Do you think this would be a good start getting my foot in the door? I guess im thinking if i get there and stay for a year i can network and find more opportunities ?

That will be tough since you'll be competing against cheaper labor unless you're a rockstar developer. But this is Asia; it's almost always about the money. Moreover, the country's policies are gradually getting rid of foreign workers in favor of local 'talent'--such as those locals who are going for 2500-2800 a month. Safe to say, your foot won't stay in for a long time.

Assuming OP is around 25, I guess EP is not on the list. Perhaps OP still can manage to get SP.

[JBoogie]

Do you think this would be a good start getting my foot in the door? I guess im thinking if i get there and stay for a year i can network and find more opportunities ?

That will be tough since you'll be competing against cheaper labor unless you're a rockstar developer. But this is Asia; it's almost always about the money. Moreover, the country's policies are gradually getting rid of foreign workers in favor of local 'talent'--such as those locals who are going for 2500-2800 a month. Safe to say, your foot won't stay in for a long time.

Assuming OP is around 25, I guess EP is not on the list. Perhaps OP still can manage to get SP.

Hi could you please kindly elaborate why EP is not on the list?


Just to put it all in perspective, I wanted to get a job in SG (which i have) so I could network and find more job opportunities say after a year?
Also I'm thinking of setting up a company, for consulting and doing extra work. I have a business plan in the process, is this possible with an EP?

I'm currently 24 (you were close!)

Thankyou kindly for everyone's advice

[nakatago]

That will be tough since you'll be competing against cheaper labor unless you're a rockstar developer. But this is Asia; it's almost always about the money. Moreover, the country's policies are gradually getting rid of foreign workers in favor of local 'talent'--such as those locals who are going for 2500-2800 a month. Safe to say, your foot won't stay in for a long time.

Assuming OP is around 25, I guess EP is not on the list. Perhaps OP still can manage to get SP.

Hi could you please kindly elaborate why EP is not on the list?


Just to put it all in perspective, I wanted to get a job in SG (which i have) so I could network and find more job opportunities say after a year?
Also I'm thinking of setting up a company, for consulting and doing extra work. I have a business plan in the process, is this possible with an EP?

I'm currently 24 (you were close!)

Thankyou kindly for everyone's advice

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx

No, you can't set up a business/moonlight/freelance on an EP/SP/QP. Please use the search function since it has been asked before.

[v4jr4]

That will be tough since you'll be competing against cheaper labor unless you're a rockstar developer. But this is Asia; it's almost always about the money. Moreover, the country's policies are gradually getting rid of foreign workers in favor of local 'talent'--such as those locals who are going for 2500-2800 a month. Safe to say, your foot won't stay in for a long time.

Assuming OP is around 25, I guess EP is not on the list. Perhaps OP still can manage to get SP.

Hi could you please kindly elaborate why EP is not on the list?


Just to put it all in perspective, I wanted to get a job in SG (which i have) so I could network and find more job opportunities say after a year?
Also I'm thinking of setting up a company, for consulting and doing extra work. I have a business plan in the process, is this possible with an EP?

I'm currently 24 (you were close!)

Thankyou kindly for everyone's advice

Perhaps you can try this: http://sat.mom.gov.sg/satservlet
While it does not guarantee the actual outcome, it's worth to try.

[offshoreoildude]

Even if it's only for a year I'd encourage you to come up. You'll be on the bones of your ass drinking in coffee shops, eating $2.50 chicken rice and living in a rented room but it's a great life experience not to be missed. Also the girls are much easier to pick up here than those obnoxious Melbourne princesses

[JBoogie]

Hey All,

I haven't been on this forum for almost a year but just wanted to give an idea of whats happened since i got here.

Since working here my first company was cheating me with my salary saying they would offer $3800 after confirmation which they never did. I could of taken it further, but there was too much of a bad taste in my mouth after this incident.

As i mentioned here i wanted to network and meet others to find better job opportunities. I ended up changing jobs within my first 6 months as I managed to find another company from freelancing. I ended up moving there for a salary of $3800 (was only an increase of $300) which has a much better working environment, and colleagues.

Through my stay here I got to meet a lot of entrepreneurs and managed to land another job opportunity this time at $6000. I applied for my new Epass and got pre approved. As i was about to quit the current company i was employed in to move to the startup, they decided to keep me. They ended up matching that same salary, with extra benefits. I decided my current company was much safer in the long term rather than moving to the startup company, which had more risk, so i decided to stay.

I also managed to register and setup my business in Singapore, and am in the midst of launching it officially next month, so looking forward to that. This whole year seems like it was all about getting setup, but now everything is starting to stabilize.

To each their own..

[PNGMK]

Hey All,

I haven't been on this forum for almost a year but just wanted to give an idea of whats happened since i got here.

Since working here my first company was cheating me with my salary saying they would offer $3800 after confirmation which they never did. I could of taken it further, but there was too much of a bad taste in my mouth after this incident.

As i mentioned here i wanted to network and meet others to find better job opportunities. I ended up changing jobs within my first 6 months as I managed to find another company from freelancing. I ended up moving there for a salary of $3800 (was only an increase of $300) which has a much better working environment, and colleagues.

Through my stay here I got to meet a lot of entrepreneurs and managed to land another job opportunity this time at $6000. I applied for my new Epass and got pre approved. As i was about to quit the current company i was employed in to move to the startup, they decided to keep me. They ended up matching that same salary, with extra benefits. I decided my current company was much safer in the long term rather than moving to the startup company, which had more risk, so i decided to stay.

I also managed to register and setup my business in Singapore, and am in the midst of launching it officially next month, so looking forward to that. This whole year seems like it was all about getting setup, but now everything is starting to stabilize.

To each their own..

Excellent!