Chance for a Hongkie researcher/lab technician to get a job

[meaningless]

Hello all,

my background:
1. Five years of research experience in life science sector, working in renowned university (under globally reputed professor, if this is relevant)

2. multiple scientific publications in international, peer reviewed journals

3. MSc from University ranking 20-30 in THE (BSc from a much lower ranking University tho)

4. tri-lingual, Canto, Eng and Mandarin

5. under 30, yellow hongkie female

6. paid at S$2500 now in HK - yes, i am underpaid.

I am trying to secure a job in order to relocate to singapore, hopefully leading to a PR. IDC for the citizenship.

Situation:
I am now in HK, working, and looking for jobs in sg via job website and linkedin. so far no response except local jobs (as in HK). I would like your 2 cents on this matter:

a) what kind of jobs should i look for in order to maximize the chance? I mean I can change my job nature a bit and work for another several years before i move to singapore. the available options is to be market research analyst/medical writing/medical device sales in pharmaceutical industry. I would like to ask if SG got this kind of jobs and what is the labor supply situation?

b) as in last round i didn't even get an interview for my PhD application to NUS, i think that is due to my 3rd honor of my BSc and my MSc didn't help. should i re-apply in the coming round in both NUS and NTU or should i just give up and instead find a research job in SG? which way is easier?

c) what should i do to improve my qualification to better prepare for hunting jobs in SG?

d) I am using linkedin to join groups, connecting with recruitment agent who specialized in my field and in SG. i reach out to them proactively by sending out my CV. is this appropriate? and how to better utilize linkedin?

thanks,
mls

[JR8]

b) as in last round i didn't even get an interview for my PhD application to NUS, i think that is due to my 3rd honor of my BSc and my MSc didn't help. should i re-apply in the coming round in both NUS and NTU or should i just give up and instead find a research job in SG? which way is easier?

Just some thoughts:-

- When you say '3rd honor', do you mean your BSc was 3rd class (in which case it would not be rated an 'Honours' degree, but rather a 'Pass' (just)).
- If so, why have you battled on against the tide to try and do a PhD!?

- Where did you do your BSc?
-Where did you do your MSc?

[meaningless]

b) as in last round i didn't even get an interview for my PhD application to NUS, i think that is due to my 3rd honor of my BSc and my MSc didn't help. should i re-apply in the coming round in both NUS and NTU or should i just give up and instead find a research job in SG? which way is easier?

Just some thoughts:-

- When you say '3rd honor', do you mean your BSc was 3rd class (in which case it would not be rated an 'Honours' degree, but rather a 'Pass' (just)).
- If so, why have you battled on against the tide to try and do a PhD!?

- Where did you do your BSc?
-Where did you do your MSc?

- i am not sure with SG education, but in the last NUS application, if not ignored, they have pull down manual to distinguish between 3rd class and just a pass. (and MSc can waive the honor requirement, at least stated in the admission website)

- i do both my BSc and MSc in HK, Uni ranking as OP stated.

digress:
- re: battle against the tide: TBH even people with 4.0 and dean list for 8 times in a row on dean list are fighting against the tide to get a PhD, if you treat rejection as one. of course GPA counts for >90% for an acceptance in most of the case, especially in SEA region, there are numerous cases of sub 3.0 to get a place in graduate schools. i am not saying i will be the one, and i am not arguing anything, but to get a phd is my life goal. i will keep trying until i can't anymore. this is the answer. and therefore leads to my question, should i just give up (at the moment) and look for a research job (to enhance my CV and try again)? i dunno how SG research people view a candidate like myself.

[AngMoG]

Quite frankly, if your MSc is only 3rd class, then PhD is probably not for you - especially in Singapore. PhD here is very heavy on the lectures/exams side, and (in case of NTU) will require you to keep at least a 'C' average (which will make your prof remand you), better to have a 'B' average. Obviously, you are not able to do that, so I am not sure why you are trying. A dream is nice to have, but sometimes it is better to be realistic.

If you like research (and are good at it), I strongly suggest looking for jobs in research - there are some life science opportunities in Singapore. Most likely, those are opportunities you need to seek out and apply directly for - i.e., check which research institutes and life science companies have set up shop here, go to their websites. For those, your research working experience will count as a decent qualification. For recruiters, try to find those that are specialized in either life sciences or research; I don't think there will be many. But truth be told, if you are not SC or PR, and are not Director/C-level, most recruiters will just ignore you.

[meaningless]

Quite frankly, if your MSc is only 3rd class, then PhD is probably not for you - especially in Singapore. PhD here is very heavy on the lectures/exams side, and (in case of NTU) will require you to keep at least a 'C' average (which will make your prof remand you), better to have a 'B' average. Obviously, you are not able to do that, so I am not sure why you are trying. A dream is nice to have, but sometimes it is better to be realistic.

If you like research (and are good at it), I strongly suggest looking for jobs in research - there are some life science opportunities in Singapore. Most likely, those are opportunities you need to seek out and apply directly for - i.e., check which research institutes and life science companies have set up shop here, go to their websites. For those, your research working experience will count as a decent qualification. For recruiters, try to find those that are specialized in either life sciences or research; I don't think there will be many. But truth be told, if you are not SC or PR, and are not Director/C-level, most recruiters will just ignore you.

sorry for the confusion, it is my BSc as in 3rd class, my MSc is not 3rd class honor. but thank you for your opinion. so long story short, i should just keep trying email prof. myself but not going to the recruiters.