Singapore Expats

Looking for work in Singapore

Discuss about getting a well paid job or career advancement. Ask about salaries, expat packages, CPF & taxes for expatriate.
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alufolie
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Looking for work in Singapore

Post by alufolie » Wed, 29 May 2013 6:42 pm

Hello all, :wave:
My husband and I are relocating from Sydney to Singapore this year. He leaves in 4 weeks and is transferring with the bank he currently works for, where as I'll be resigning from my job in 8 weeks to join him.
I'm currently stressing about looking for a job in Singapore. I've been applying for work that I'm qualified for, however ether I receive no response or 90% of most jobs that are in my job sector mostly note that Singaporean / PR need only apply (I will only hold a spouse visa)
Also the condo that the company is moving us into is in an area called Katong & I'm told it is one of the worse areas for public transport to get around. Where are there areas I should be looking for work if we live around that area.
*tryingnotostress* & Thank You in Advance, Amelia. :)

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JR8
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Post by JR8 » Wed, 29 May 2013 7:34 pm

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Just to kick off...

Do you *need* to work, or want to work?

I.e. would it matter if you left any job-hunting until you're in-country?

In what general area if your career/expertise?

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 29 May 2013 8:25 pm

And probably the next most important question is "Was your spouse' accepting the position based on the codicil that you would also be able to work? Because if it was, you may well have a problem. Not necessarily, but it's happened to a lot in the past couple of years.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

alufolie
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Post by alufolie » Wed, 29 May 2013 8:40 pm

Hello, thank you for the responses. :)
I work in the broadcast industry. I work for an Australian broadcaster as a project engineer. I would like to continue working in Singapore - but I've just read on another forum I might not even be able work on a dependant visa?

I do need to work eventually. I did think about not going altogether as it might be too difficult for me to secure work, but we have a 2 year old daughter and I'm not sure how I'd go about living without my husband. (and my little one would miss him greatly!!)

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 29 May 2013 9:50 pm

The worst mistake a couple can make, when one spouse has been offered an opportunity (regardless of which country) overseas, is to assume that the partner will be able to find work. You never take up an assignment based on that. The only way to think about it is "can we make it on a single income alone" if you have to think about it, then the answer is no.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by Wd40 » Wed, 29 May 2013 10:35 pm

Agree. But then, from the OPs posts it appears to me like the hubby's company is forcing him to move rather than a voluntary move and may be he doesnt have too many other options. The fact that he is working for bank, makes it no surprise at all.

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Post by katbh » Wed, 29 May 2013 10:38 pm

Katong is a great area and very accessible. Great restaurants and close to the beach. Not a Sydney Beach, but being from Sydney you will at least appreciate the air.
If you were to equate it with a Sydney suburb - maybe Balmain or Newtown but with high end condos and heritage character.
You can work but you will need to apply for permission to do so. DO NOT WORK unless you do.
If you have tertiary qualifications, it is easier - if you do not it is almost impossible. If you can, get an employment pass. If not you can seek approval to work in a specific job but it is dependent on the GOVT.
I do not know how familiar you are the moment with Singapore but there is a labour shortage. GOVT unwilling to issue Employment passes to people but as you are a spouse of someone with an employment pass and therefore already here, you may be luckier.
Take some time out when you get here to.
I am from your neck of the woods both here and there so PM me if you need help
katbh

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Post by alufolie » Fri, 31 May 2013 9:41 am

WD40 is on the money. Its definitely not a move where we decided to go and the perception was that I’d get a job. It’s more that I have to follow hubby, as the bank he works for in Australia is making a presence in Singapore market. I *want* to work because I love it and really the amount of money I'd earn there isn't a issue. I could earn $1500 a month or $4000 a month - I just don’t want to be unemployed for 3 years (he's on a contract) then come back to Sydney.
I’m not tertiary qualified either apart from a TAFE diploma so I think it would be impossible to get any job there. Anyway I've been thinking about it for the last few days and I'm too scared to give up what I have now to face not being employed at all and instead schedule regular holidays for the next few years until hubby comes home. Thanks All, A.

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Post by katbh » Fri, 31 May 2013 10:14 am

You can always keep your options open. Keep trying for a job here. Get a dependent pass, even if you do not intend to live here. It is a step in the right direction and will make your entry to Singapore and doing things in Singapore a lot easier. If you do find a job here, somewhere down the line, it would be good to have the DP set up ready. You can do all this from Sydney and schedule holidays/trips to see your husband at the same time as you attend interviews etc. Long distance is very hard - especially for three years.
katbh

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Post by Wd40 » Fri, 31 May 2013 10:25 am

Another alternative is let your hubby go to Singapore and meantime continue looking for opportunities in Sydney and come back when he gets one.

I think he has higher chances of getting a job in Sydney than you getting one in Singapore.

So you both keep looking for opportunities in either places and after sometime you will know which place is best for the two of you.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 31 May 2013 10:57 am

alulfolie,

It's going to be a rough three years. While getting the Dependent's pass is a step in the right direction, things that were assured easy-peasy 12 months ago, we find have and are being tightened up. The Letter of Consent option of working here used to be a shoe-in with only the application letter sent by the employer and an almost automatic approval. Recently, we have been seeing a lot of rejections even for the Letter of Consent (without the job being in the "restricted" industries). It would seem that it is now getting harder to take up a position unless there is experience or credentials (tertiary). Unfortunately, the anecdotal evidence as of yet only points to a tightening up and not automatic approvals, but we still have not been able to pinpoint the criteria changes. Sadly, without tertiary qualifications, you are unlikely to get an Employment Pass in your own right unless you are qualified for a P1 (top tier) EP. I wish you well.

sms
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by katbh » Fri, 31 May 2013 11:44 am

Have you thought of doing contract work for Australian Companies. You can work remotely from Singapore and instead of going on holidays to Singapore, you could go on work trips to Australia.
Yes as Sundaymorningstaple said, things are very tight here when trying to get a work pass. This is the reason for the labour shortage.
So although you may find a job, getting the employment pass is hard.
But there is no harm in trying. Get the dependant pass - which is usually not a problem if your spouse is earning a good wage. And this way you can keep your options open.
The other thing is that you must be legally married. Singapore does not recognise defacto relationships.
katbh

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