Job search in Singapore: galleys, career agencies and many interviews

My name is Andrey Vogulkin, I am a fullstack developer. Worked as a front-end developer in a startup for 3 years, as an Oracle developer in a telecom for 4 years, changed 4 countries. In this article, using the example of several cases, I will tell you how I looked for a job in one of 4 countries - in Singapore: where to look for a job, what to prepare for, what they ask in an interview when looking for a job on full-stack/front-end (React) , and I will try to describe the IT market in Singapore from the point of view of my experience.

What makes Singapore attractive for employment?

Singapore is a series of small islands united by the main one, which bears the name of the entire territorial complex. This state association is a fairly safe and free zone for doing business. Medicine, real estate and tourism are thriving in the country.

Singapore's migration policy in 2021 is based on attracting high-level professionals to the most popular and promising industries: IT technology, economics, medicine and others.

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It is quite possible to find a good vacancy in this state if you wish. If you are lucky enough to sign a contract with a Singapore employer, then obtaining a residence permit will be much easier and more affordable. In addition, high salaries and social security are quite attractive for representatives of labor migration.

Emigration through investment and work to the Republic of Singapore

Business immigration can solve many problems for those who are ready to work or have the financial ability to start a business abroad and eventually move to Singapore for permanent residence.

There are several types of emigration through work:

• positive work experience of a foreign citizen in the country;
• registration of your own company;
• purchase of a ready-made business;
• investments in the country's economy of at least S$5,000,000 ($3,675,390).

All this gives you the right to apply for a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Singapore after two years. It should be remembered that dual citizenship is prohibited in the country.

The advantages of working in Singapore are:

· English-speaking region;

· Absolute safety;

· Social security;

· Developed economic sphere;

· High salaries;

· Good conditions for investors and businessmen.

The country is developing quite dynamically and actively supports advanced technologies, but other sectors of human activity are also supported at the proper level.

Types of permits for work in Singapore:

• A work visa to Singapore is opened for highly qualified specialists if they have a higher education diploma and work experience in the same field of activity. The salary of such employees is at least $3,600 monthly. Job openings in this industry may include managers, senior managers, and entrepreneurs starting their own businesses in Singapore;
• People with work experience and average qualifications. The salary in this segment is at least $2,200. Employees can find jobs in construction, services and entertainment. It is also not uncommon for people with such qualifications to be employed as domestic staff;
• Trainees and students. In this case, Ukrainians are provided with internship or temporary employment. The average contract term is six months. The salary level is at least $3,000, but there are exceptions. It all depends on the specifics of the job, knowledge and other aspects that are discussed directly with the potential employer.

In addition to the above work permits, there are other grounds for work. These are relatives of migrant workers. These include husbands, children, parents. Foreign students who are officially studying in Singapore can work. The first work permit is issued to those wishing to do so for 1 year with the possibility of extension. Some vacancies have quotas. Working as a programmer and doctor is highly paid.

Jobs in Singapore for specialists from CIS countries

In 2021, vacancies in the service sector and large Singaporean enterprises remain at the peak of popularity. These are various shopping centers, salons, restaurants, construction sites, work in ports and on ships.

Candidates with good education and work experience receive advantages in accepting a particular vacancy. In this case, work in Singapore for Russians and citizens of CIS countries is offered at a higher wage rate.

Positive criteria are also:

• having an academic degree;
• previous successful work experience in one of the Singapore companies;
• presence of positive characteristics and letters of recommendation.

Those who do not have such advantages should be prepared for the lowest paying jobs. But these may be vacancies that do not require good knowledge of English, temporary or seasonal work in Singapore for Kazakhstanis and other citizens of the CIS.

Recruitment agency specialists recommend that you carefully consider offers for foreign specialists who do not have a good level of knowledge of English - very often fraudulent schemes are hidden under the guise of tempting offers.

Never agree to a job without the appropriate visa and employment contract - only in this case will it be safe to work in Singapore without knowing the language.
Special mention should be made about vacancies in the service sector. Your advantage over other applicants will be:

• attractive appearance (not to be confused with vulgarity and excessive brightness);
• the ability to present oneself;
• grooming;
• having a sense of style and knowledge of the basic norms of international etiquette;
• Foreign language skills;
• PC proficiency at the level of a confident user, touch typing skills.

How to find a job without intermediaries for Russian vacancies 2021 without knowledge of the language

To find a job in Singapore, you can use several methods: on specialized Internet sites, through agencies or on your own. Each of these options has its own advantages.

See also: Do ​​Russians need a visa to Cyprus in 2021?

Independent search

Of course, you can look for work in Singapore through social networks or specialized forums at any time. True, such announcements appear quite rarely, because this country is very small both in terms of population and size. There are many times fewer Russian-speaking citizens here than in China, India or even neighboring Indonesia.

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Finding a job in Singapore: reviews from foreigners

Immigration to Singapore is almost always preceded by a job search. This is an important component of organizing the move, without which immigration itself simply loses its meaning. But how to find a job in Singapore while remaining in Moscow or any other city?

Immigration to Singapore usually starts with finding a job

To solve the problem, various methods are used, ranging from personal acquaintances to sending requests to the mailing addresses of companies. However, the Internet search method is considered popular. There are many Singapore websites where job information is available:

• www.jobculture.com;
• www.michaelpage.com.sg;
• www.jobstreet.com.sg;
• www.contactsingapore.org.sg;
• www.robertwalters.com.sg;
• www.monster.com.sg.

According to many immigrants who have already found their place in Singapore, the bulk of all job seekers find jobs through personal acquaintances and searching for vacancies online. There are almost no people who first came to the country and only then started looking for work. This is obvious because Singapore's immigration policy, like other developed countries, is selective and aimed at attracting highly qualified specialists. However, employment at the low-skill level by Singapore businesses is also in demand .

Video: an overview of Singapore

…I am 39 years old. I have now been offered to consider a vacancy in Singapore in the IT field. In principle, I was interested in the vacancy, I have a lot of experience in IT, I speak more or less English (approximately upper-intermediate). They offer about 7,000 USD per month + the entire relocation package + an Employment pass + Aetna Foundation health insurance package...

Konstantin

https://forum.russiansingapore.com/index.php/topic,162. msg4081.html#msg4081

...on the Internet you can only find jobs for beginners, with low salaries. Of course, if you work for 5–10 years and manage to build a career, your salary will be higher, but there are no guarantees here. Asian society has its own concepts of how to build a career...

Lee

https://www.nashdom.sg/index.php?topic=11618.msg89183#msg89183

Employment in Singapore becomes possible through the social network LinkedIn or similar resources. Such portals collect various information in the form of news, offers, vacancies, etc. Of course, recruiting agencies, labor exchanges, and job fairs can play a role:

• Achieve Career Consultant Pte Ltd;
• ER Employment Agency Pte Ltd;
• Business Edge Personnel Services Pte Ltd;
• Jim Hunter Pte Ltd;
• Jayamaids.

Singapore's job market offers many jobs, but competition is fierce

According to information from various sources, the most in-demand professions in Singapore are:

• accountant,
• corporate financier,
• sales manager,
• advertising specialist,
• chemical engineer,
• mining engineer,
• doctors of different specializations,
• pharmacists,
• petrochemists.

Table: the most common vacancies in 2021

...In Singapore, in my profession, everything works like clockwork, I know for sure that I am changing the world for the better and bringing my knowledge; in Russia, processes do not always work at the same level. But, at the same time, I would take such a step if there was a real opportunity to do something important and necessary...

Anna

https://yaturistka.ru/blog/the_asian_temptation/990.html

Average and minimum wage

Sometimes you can find very highly paid vacancies. For example, working as a plastic surgeon (from 25,000 SGD) or as a foreign exchange dealer and broker (from 15,000 SGD). Meanwhile, there is no officially established minimum wage in Singapore . However, there are low-skilled jobs that are paid at the rate of 700 - 1000 SGD per month.

…There is a minimum salary for which a single expat can come and live in a room or apartment on his own at his own expense. This is $2000 per month. With this salary they rent a room and eat at the food court. To bring a family, the salary must be $4,000 per month. With this salary you can already rent an apartment...

nikros

https://forum.awd.ru/viewtopic.php?p=3450871#p3450871

Salary rates in 2021

• Popular and accessible positions for Russian citizens allow them to qualify for the following salary level: programmer, lawyer, financier or engineer - from 5 to 10 thousand Singapore dollars per month, which in US dollars is approximately 3,700 - 7,500;
• qualified doctors, top managers - over 7,500 thousand dollars, depending on qualifications and work experience;
• specialists in the field of aviation, insurance, clerks in large companies - $3,700 per month or more;
• secretary, sales managers, customer service – about 2 thousand dollars;
• service and entertainment employees: sales consultants, hostesses, bartenders, fitness instructors and others - from $1,600 and above;
• blue-collar jobs, including cleaning staff, household staff and others – from $500 per month or more.

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Thus, overall wages in Singapore are quite high, but, as in other Asian countries, the difference between prestigious occupations requiring high-level qualifications and unskilled occupations in the service or manual sectors remains significant. When studying the labor market, you need to take this aspect into account and analyze your own chances of getting a decent job.

Popular vacancies for foreign professionals in Singapore

Consistently popular offers for citizens of the CIS and vacancies in Singapore for Russians in 2021 - in the field of IT, medical services, teaching, management (there is a great demand for experienced middle and senior managers).

Singapore is one of the centers of medical tourism - residents of Europe, the USA, and post-Soviet countries come here for treatment. That is why good certified doctors and nurses are in demand here.

In the high-tech industry, engineers, programmers and experienced managers are in demand.

If you cannot boast of having a higher education, you will find work in Singapore in a hotel, restaurant or in one of the many entertainment centers. Vacancies for maids, cooks, waiters and bartenders and reception specialists are an excellent opportunity to make good money.

One of the directions of state policy is the desire to attract qualified specialists to the country. That is why foreigners with experience and knowledge of the language are often offered work in Singapore in banks, hospitals, and large enterprises.

Official employment in Singapore

To legally work on a permanent basis, you will need a visa. After finding a suitable vacancy, you need to conclude a contract with the employer. There is no point in working without a contract and being an illegal immigrant in Singapore. Illegal work is poorly paid, has an irregular schedule, and a person risks facing strict state legislation.

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Opening a business visa (EntrePass) in Singapore

The EntrePass visa is issued to foreign entrepreneurs who plan to conduct their business in Singapore. It must be said that the Republic is trying in every possible way to attract foreign businessmen, so obtaining a visa does not become a problem for business immigrants. Initially, EntrePass is provided for a period of one to two years, but it can be renewed an infinite number of times, subject to continued business activity.

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By the way, the EntrePass visa document is also the basis for the relatives of a businessman to move to Singapore.

To obtain this visa, you need to provide the authorities, in addition to personal data, with a business plan, a detailed description of the proposed activities of the company being opened, as well as a job description for future employees of the new company.

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Procedure for obtaining a work visa to Singapore

A visa to Singapore is always issued in certain stages.

1. The initially collected package of documents is transferred to the visa center. When submitting documents, the applicant's personal presence is not necessary. Sometimes documents can be submitted electronically on a special website of the visa center, attaching high-quality color copies.
2. It usually takes 2-4 business days for your request to be processed. The review period may be extended if necessary.
3. Then the visa is issued. However, even with an open visa, the applicant is not guaranteed entry into Singapore. The final decision depends on the border guard officer conducting passport control.

Obtaining a work visa for employment in Singapore is considered challenging due to the increased requirements.

Registration and extension of a work visa

If your goal is to stay in the country for a long time, you will need to apply for a work visa. Registration takes place online, so there is no need to go to the embassy. As a rule, the verification takes no more than a week. An application form is submitted to the visa agency and:

• medical insurance;
• concluded contract with the employer;
• copy of international passport.

It is also necessary to provide documents that will indicate previous employment and planned activities within the country:

• list of employers in the form of a resume;
• diplomas and certificates from educational institutions;
• academic degrees, if any;
• letters of recommendation;
• information about the company that provided the workplace, assigned position and salary.

It is worth noting that if a person is a graduate of a Russian university, then diplomas will have to be translated into English and the translation will have to be notarized.

According to Singapore laws, a visa can be extended for a maximum of 30 days. You will have to pay $40 for the service. Therefore, in order to continue working, you will need to register everything again in a year. After completing two years of work experience, you can apply for a residence permit.

Work by invitation in Singapore

Since 2012, Singapore authorities have strictly controlled the number of foreigners working in the state. For this reason, many applicants face unwanted problems.

Any company must obtain special permission to employ a foreigner from local authorities. After this, the foreigner can obtain an official permit to work in Singapore, apply for a visa and begin working.

To obtain a work visa when working in Singapore, you will need a standard list of documents:

• an invitation from a Singapore company, which must be issued on company letterhead with the stamp and signature of an authorized person;
• a color copy of the passport page with photograph and personal data, and the passport must remain valid for at least six months at the time of entry into Singapore and must have one blank page;
• completed questionnaire;
• color matte photograph, which must be taken on a white background and in size 3x4 centimeters;
• a certificate from the place of employment confirming legal employment;
• medical insurance policy;
• confirmation of air ticket booking or a copy thereof.

Moving to Singapore is possible only after receiving a list of required documents and obtaining a visa.

Video: Immigration to Singapore. How to open a business in Singapore

You can also find work in Singapore for Russians (vacancies) on Russian websites. To do this, when searching, you must regularly enable the “Abroad” option.

Cooperation with recruitment agencies

If a foreigner is already in Singapore on a tourist or visitor visa, he can try to find a job through an intermediary company. There are not many such agencies. We recommend contacting us via contacts on the following websites:

• yp.sg
• aeas.org.sg

For in-demand specialties, such a search can be quite successful. If the vacancy is suitable, you can re-register the legal status of a foreigner. This will allow you to obtain a work permit.

Employment Process in the Republic of Singapore

According to local legislation, a work visa must be issued strictly before starting work. Unlike some countries, in Singapore the procedure for obtaining this document may be the responsibility of the employer.

Internship in Singapore

Employers prefer to hire specialists with a certain amount of experience and a good diploma, but young people and students can also earn good money in the hotel and restaurant business. The opportunity for internship abroad is provided, which will increase the chances of further successful employment.

For Belarusians, Russians, and Ukrainians, employers often put forward the following conditions:

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§ proficiency in English at a high level, confirmed by a special test;

§ work experience in the hotel or restaurant business for at least 2 years;

§ higher education for high-paying employment and specialized secondary education for students who are still studying at universities.

Most often, employers give preference to sociable and intelligent girls with good appearance. This is very important in business.

Places in dance groups and nightclubs are open for girls. In such a job you will have to adhere to a strict regime. You should carefully study the terms of contracts and immediately check the veracity of information regarding the cost of housing, bonuses and penalties, and the legality of the establishment. The employment contract is concluded for 3-12 months, after the expiration of the term it can be extended.