Package advice- Pls help remember you were once new

[risktaker]

Hello Everyone,
Please bare with me and thank you for your support and advice in advance.

A bit about me a British Citizen with 12 years of MNC working experience, last 5years have been working in the Middle East and Africa. My previous company wanted to relocated my role to Central Africa and I didnt want to go.Like a miracle, I was offered a position in chance meeting with a director of sales of a Singapore SME(financial sector). The Director wants to know what package I want to receive. I spend last couple days reading various topics on the forum/going to MOM website and now I have 101 questions. I dont no if i be offered a local contract or semi-expat package. In my previous role with a MNC, I was eaning £76k per annum basic salary with all the expats benefits, company paid for all housing cost and bills, 4 flights home a year plus bonus and commission etc. Now I am not greedy and living comparison sites say i need at least SGD8k per month to live my London life in singapore. My question is what salary and benefits should I request for? I am currently separated in my mid 30s and decided I will just come with two suitcases. What affordable area can i live in -all i need is a gym, internet, shower and bed.

[Wd40]

Hello Everyone,
Please bare with me and thank you for your support and advice in advance.

A bit about me a British Citizen with 12 years of MNC working experience, last 5years have been working in the Middle East and Africa. My previous company wanted to relocated my role to Central Africa and I didnt want to go.Like a miracle, I was offered a position in chance meeting with a director of sales of a Singapore SME(financial sector). The Director wants to know what package I want to receive. I spend last couple days reading various topics on the forum/going to MOM website and now I have 101 questions. I dont no if i be offered a local contract or semi-expat package. In my previous role with a MNC, I was eaning £76k per annum basic salary with all the expats benefits, company paid for all housing cost and bills, 4 flights home a year plus bonus and commission etc. Now I am not greedy and living comparison sites say i need at least SGD8k per month to live my London life in singapore. My question is what salary and benefits should I request for? I am currently separated in my mid 30s and decided I will just come with two suitcases. What affordable area can i live in -all i need is a gym, internet, shower and bed.

Are you really a British-British citizen? and you say "bare" with me?
There are other parts in your post too, like the one highlighted.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I think you should bump up your basic salary by a hazardous location uplift of at least 25% do the the rampant xenophobia here and fully found accommodation in district 9 or 10 as well as International medivac/medical Insurance and a transport allowance the would at least allow you to rent a mid-sized Japanese car.

[risktaker]

I think you should bump up your basic salary by a hazardous location uplift of at least 25% do the the rampant xenophobia here and fully found accommodation in district 9 or 10 as well as International medivac/medical Insurance and a transport allowance the would at least allow you to rent a mid-sized Japanese car.

Thanks for your advice sundaymorningstaple, I dont really want to be driving but I hear you. Other than district 9/10 what areas should I consider?

[risktaker]

WD40, Lol- it like being at school again sorry English teacher. I am born and bred in London town in Brockley- South London. Would you like more details to proof my nationality??? I am dyslexic(No I am not joking) and my computer software was not on form. Did you have any advice for me or do you want to correct my grammer in all my post:D

Hello Everyone,
Please bare with me and thank you for your support and advice in advance.

A bit about me a British Citizen with 12 years of MNC working experience, last 5years have been working in the Middle East and Africa. My previous company wanted to relocated my role to Central Africa and I didnt want to go.Like a miracle, I was offered a position in chance meeting with a director of sales of a Singapore SME(financial sector). The Director wants to know what package I want to receive. I spend last couple days reading various topics on the forum/going to MOM website and now I have 101 questions. I dont no if i be offered a local contract or semi-expat package. In my previous role with a MNC, I was eaning £76k per annum basic salary with all the expats benefits, company paid for all housing cost and bills, 4 flights home a year plus bonus and commission etc. Now I am not greedy and living comparison sites say i need at least SGD8k per month to live my London life in singapore. My question is what salary and benefits should I request for? I am currently separated in my mid 30s and decided I will just come with two suitcases. What affordable area can i live in -all i need is a gym, internet, shower and bed.

Are you really a British-British citizen? and you say "bare" with me?
There are other parts in your post too, like the one highlighted.

[JR8]

Hello Everyone,
Please bare with me and thank you for your support and advice in advance.

A bit about me a British Citizen with 12 years of MNC working experience, last 5years have been working in the Middle East and Africa. My previous company wanted to relocated my role to Central Africa and I didnt want to go.Like a miracle, I was offered a position in chance meeting with a director of sales of a Singapore SME(financial sector). The Director wants to know what package I want to receive. I spend last couple days reading various topics on the forum/going to MOM website and now I have 101 questions. I dont no if i be offered a local contract or semi-expat package. In my previous role with a MNC, I was eaning £76k per annum basic salary with all the expats benefits, company paid for all housing cost and bills, 4 flights home a year plus bonus and commission etc. Now I am not greedy and living comparison sites say i need at least SGD8k per month to live my London life in singapore. My question is what salary and benefits should I request for? I am currently separated in my mid 30s and decided I will just come with two suitcases. What affordable area can i live in -all i need is a gym, internet, shower and bed.

Brockley...lol. When I was starting out (commodities), our secretary Tina was from Brockley. She was a U2 groupie, and her claim to fame was never having met any of the band but having got bedded by their tour-manager on the crew-bus. Classy - not!

Anyway I digress hugely.

Forget cost of living adjustment city-to city > in other words do not take a cut of ANY kind just because you imagine SG might be cheaper.

London salary. Then add 50% to make you move.

Then rent

+ Home leave once a year (J class flights)

+ relo allowance (US$10k+? (I got US$7k each way and that was 15-20 years ago) new electronics etc as required at destination)

+ freight to and fro

and so on.

pro-tip: use international relo's as a way to ratchet up the pay-scale. But be careful not to take the P as on your 'way back home', if you're too $$$ you're on a short stick.

[sundaymorningstaple]

As to what other areas to live in, it would depend on your likes / dislikes when not working. Are you a clubber or an outdoor type of person. East Coast is good for the outdoor type. Holland Village & surrounds are good as it's bohemian in nature but yuppie class as well. If you are working in the financial district and you don't need a car, the MRT rail system will let you live a lot further out and you can get to city centre in 40 minutes maximum (not counting feeder services if you are not close enough to walk to the stations.

Try using http://gothere.sg/maps , Google Maps, http://www.onemap.sg/index.html , http://www.smrt.com.sg/ , http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/index.aspx?s=jp

They will give you an idea of time/distances/fares, etc.

[risktaker]

JR8, Lol go Tina my kinda girl hehe. My claim to fame is Kate Bush lived on my road and was once my babysitter. Alot of famous people come from Brockley Ian Wright(England footballer) went to my school. Matthew Kelly was a teacher at my school. All the big stars of music such Bowie, Abba, Blur etc have all grace Brockley. Ok enough about my hometown you make me also digress, back to the matter in hand.

I relocated about 3 years ago and told myself I will never do that again. I will only move with two suitcases. This company is not a MNC but rather a SME that been in business in Singapore for 10yrs so I dont know if they have the huge budgets.

So JR8 what will be the Brockley of Singapore? I would rather save my money and send money back to UK to clear my mortgage than live in district 9/10. I don't have to live a big expat life. In my mind I would like 30 days leave(I know the average leave in SG is 10-20 days), three fares a year home and forgo the freight cost. I would love a housing allowance also.

Brockley...lol. When I was starting out (commodities), our secretary Tina was from Brockley. She was a U2 groupie, and her claim to fame was never having met any of the band but having got bedded by their tour-manager on the crew-bus. Classy - not!

Anyway I digress hugely.

Forget cost of living adjustment city-to city > in other words do not take a cut of ANY kind just because you imagine SG might be cheaper.

London salary. Then add 50% to make you move.

Then rent

+ Home leave once a year (J class flights)

+ relo allowance (US$10k+? (I got US$7k each way and that was 15-20 years ago) new electronics etc as required at destination)

+ freight to and fro

and so on.

pro-tip: use international relo's as a way to ratchet up the pay-scale. But be careful not to take the P as on your 'way back home', if you're too $$$ you're on a short stick.[/quote]

[JR8]

So JR8 what will be the Brockley of Singapore?

Hahaha good question!


When I'm in-country (ie in Singapore) I try and rent around Toa Payoh: central, new town (all facilities are planned), transport hub, shops etc.

But each to their own eh.

Good luck to you.

[risktaker]

OK, will have look at Toa Payoh: central, new town thanks

[BillyB]

JR8, Lol go Tina my kinda girl hehe. My claim to fame is Kate Bush lived on my road and was once my babysitter. Alot of famous people come from Brockley Ian Wright(England footballer) went to my school. Matthew Kelly was a teacher at my school. All the big stars of music such Bowie, Abba, Blur etc have all grace Brockley. Ok enough about my hometown you make me also digress, back to the matter in hand.

I relocated about 3 years ago and told myself I will never do that again. I will only move with two suitcases. This company is not a MNC but rather a SME that been in business in Singapore for 10yrs so I dont know if they have the huge budgets.

So JR8 what will be the Brockley of Singapore? I would rather save my money and send money back to UK to clear my mortgage than live in district 9/10. I don't have to live a big expat life. In my mind I would like 30 days leave(I know the average leave in SG is 10-20 days), three fares a year home and forgo the freight cost. I would love a housing allowance also.

Brockley...lol. When I was starting out (commodities), our secretary Tina was from Brockley. She was a U2 groupie, and her claim to fame was never having met any of the band but having got bedded by their tour-manager on the crew-bus. Classy - not!

Anyway I digress hugely.

Forget cost of living adjustment city-to city > in other words do not take a cut of ANY kind just because you imagine SG might be cheaper.

London salary. Then add 50% to make you move.

Then rent

+ Home leave once a year (J class flights)

+ relo allowance (US$10k+? (I got US$7k each way and that was 15-20 years ago) new electronics etc as required at destination)

+ freight to and fro

and so on.

pro-tip: use international relo's as a way to ratchet up the pay-scale. But be careful not to take the P as on your 'way back home', if you're too $$$ you're on a short stick.

[/quote]

Matthew Kelly? That wanker off stars in your eyes?

[risktaker]

Does anyone have any other advice?

[JR8]

Does anyone have any other advice?

Up to one month (as it plays out at the time) in a Service Apartment and on daily expenses upon arrival, until you have your home set up, and are settling in.

Otherwise I think you've got just about everything covered.

Don't push it to try and wring every possible cent out of it. Get a good package, and also leave them feeling they have a good arrangement with you too.

[risktaker]

Ok, so HR contact for the job send a first offer via email on tuesday but didnot see the email until wednesday. After reading this first offer i was lost for words and pardon my french i said is this company having a f**king laugh.

This company offer me basic salary of s$5k per month, 22days of holiday, 3days compassionate leave, CPF contribution, no mention of any housing allowance, relocation. The biggest part of the joke is that H.R contact is sumbitting my visa with this package. This got to be a joke surly?Over to you guys

[sundaymorningstaple]

Nope. No joke. SME's can really be wankers here. Most don't have a clue and think that "IF" they can pick up an Ang Mo on the cheap, it will give them face with their clients. They honestly think they are doing you a favour as other than 10% unemployment in the US or the Euro trying to go belly-up, they really don't have a clue about the west at all. It doesn't cost them anything to try as they engage consultants on salvage rates, e.g., no solution, no compensation. They rarely will use a headhunter that requires a "retainer". So they throw out the JDs and see if they can pull somebody. New grads or those with a couple of years in hard engineering sciences are about all that they can pull though. As they are so far off the mark, I'd have to say forgeddit.