Working Abroad Career Guide for Singapore

Country Profile

Singapore, a former British trading colony, is one of the world's most
prosperous countries. Its port is one of the busiest in the world, and
its per capita GDP is larger than those of the leading nations of
Western Europe. The country is an island situated in southeastern
Asia between Malaysia and Indonesia, measuring about 42 km by 23
km. It has a tropical climate with a relatively uniform temperature.

Singapore's population is 4.2 million and growing at a rate of 3.54
percent. Chinese people, at 76.9 percent of the population, are the
majority, followed by Malays, Indians, and other ethnic groups. The
official languages are Malay, Tamil, and English, and English is the
language of administration.

Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system of government
and an elected president. The country's business environment is
remarkably open and free of corruption, boasting stable prices and
the fifth highest per capita GDP in the world. Exports and services in
particular drive the economy, and the government invests heavily in
education and technology.

Singapore is positioning itself as the region's financial and high-tech
hub in an increasingly global future. The success of Singapore's
economy is a product of a number of factors: political and social
stability, thrift and industry, strategic location, a pro-business
government, and investment in infrastructure. Many multinational
corporations have established their regional headquarters in
Singapore and use it as a home base to tap into nearby emerging
markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand

Professional Resources
There are many international chambers of commerce in Singapore,
representing such countries as the United States, Germany, Spain,
Japan, Malaysia, and others. Foreigners should become acquainted
with Singapore's major telephone directories, such as Sing Tel Yellow
Pages. The Singapore International Chamber of Commerce is another
good resource for information on industries, markets, and
employment trends in Singapore.

Trade publications covering Singapore's business scene include
English-language publications targeted to businesspeople, and
government policy makers, such as The Business Times and
Singapore Business. Books like The Business Guide to Singapore can
be especially useful to foreign workers seeking jobs in Singapore.
Expatriates might also find networking connections through any of a
number of clubs and service organizations.

There are 84 trade unions in Singapore. These unions and other
professional organizations include the Singapore National Employers'
Federation, which promotes good industrial relations and enhances
workforce competitiveness, and the Singapore Labor Foundation,
which aims to improve the welfare of its members and the trade
union movement in general.

Job Search Resources
Search firms and online job sites are effective resources for the
foreign job seeker; many expatriates now living in Singapore say they
found their jobs by posting their resumes on the sites of search firms
or by answering job advertisements on the websites of professional
associations. Even though such Internet-related services are
growing, most Singaporeans still rely on newspaper classified ads.
Some companies and public-sector organizations, including the
Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, advertise and
conduct interviews in other countries.

There are about 1,100 licensed employment agencies in Singapore,
providing a wide range of services, including management consulting
and recruitment and placement of local and foreign workers. One of
the biggest recruiting firms in Singapore, GMP Executive Search, says
that most of its clients are American and European.

Foreign job seekers have also had luck starting their careers in
Singapore with scholarships provided by organizations such as
Singapore Airlines and the Economic Development Board. Upon
completion of their scholarship and education, these foreign students
usually earn contracts with large Singapore companies.

One of the many online job sites based in Singapore is Contact
Singapore, which is maintained by the government and includes a job
bulletin board, employers' profiles, and other information and
services.

Financial Considerations
Life in Singapore can be meager or luxurious. Salaries are
competitive, and the many benefits provided by employers make
working in Singapore quite rewarding. Workers on expatriate
compensation packages may receive such benefits as allowances for
transportation, housing, childcare, education, and entertainment.

Singapore has a two-sided health care system. The government
manages the public system, with private hospitals and general
practitioners providing a private system. The private system provides
Singaporeans with most health care services, but for more costly
care, Singaporeans turn to the public system. Employers usually pay
for or at least partially subsidize their employees' dental and medical
insurance.

Most companies in Singapore operate on a five-and-a-half-day work
week, with Saturday being the half day. The standard legal work
week is 44 hours long. Employees are entitled to a minimum of seven
days of vacation leave for the first year of service, with most
enjoying two to three weeks of leave and paid sick leave.

Personal income tax rates in Singapore are among the lowest in the
world. Foreigners working in Singapore on either a Work Permit or an
Employment Pass will be taxed, with a few exceptions. A foreigner is
regarded as a tax resident if he has lived in Singapore for at least
183 days in one calendar year or has been in Singapore for three
consecutive years.

Employment Trends
In 2000, Singapore's workforce grew by 108,487, nearly three times
its growth the year before. Over the past 20 years, employment
growth in Singapore has been broad, with major sectors such as
manufacturing, commerce, and services all recording significant
increases in number of employees. In the manufacturing industry,
electronics, chemicals, and engineering have seen the most growth;
financial and business services have also grown quickly.

Singapore relies on foreign workers primarily in two types of jobs:
low-skilled positions, and high-tech and R&D jobs for which not
enough Singaporeans are qualified. A 2001 survey found that 57
percent of Singaporean companies hire foreign workers; 21 percent
of these are in the high-tech and IT industries. The best foreign
workers in Singapore's civil service are offered citizenship, and the
only civil service areas that exclude foreigners are defense and
social, economic, and foreign policy.

According to the Ministry of Manpower, 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs
will be created every year of the 21st century. Biotechnology and
R&D will be particularly important, and the increase in the number of
multinational corporations investing in Singapore will create a demand
for experienced international workers. There are also good
opportunities for foreign workers in health care and manufacturing
logistics, as well as at American media companies that have
Singapore offices.

Resume/CV's
A typical resume for a job application in Singapore begins with
personal details-your name, address, contact numbers, e-mail
address, gender, citizenship, and age.

Then, if you are new to the job market, list your education
credentials in reverse-chronological order. (If you are a professional
with years of experience, education follows your employment
history.) List all schools attended, starting with your high school.
Give their names, location, the years you attended each, your major
or special focus, and diplomas or degrees. Also include honors you
received, and relevant work-related specialized training, internships,
and extracurricular activities.

Begin your employment history with your most recent position
(commonly referred to as "reverse-chronological" order). List the
names and locations of companies for which you worked, and your
title and responsibilities with each. Include special achievements, and
describe your contributions to your department and the firm. Explain
any gaps in employment. If you have limited experience, list part-time
and temporary jobs.

At the end of your resume, you should mention any special skills or
qualifications (e.g., knowledge of computer programs, of GAAP or
GAP, and foreign language fluency), and include the names and
contact information of at least two references.

Information Technology
In the last fifteen years, Singapore has invested heavily to develop a
pro-IT environment, which has made the country a good place for
adopting and deploying new IT products and services. Foreign IT
workers are in high demand and represent about 15 percent of the IT
workforce in Singapore. The Infocomm Development Authority of
Singapore says that growth in IT manpower will average 10 percent
over the next two years; this growth translates into a need for
10,000 new IT workers each year.

Computer programmers in Singapore earn an average of $71,579
U.S., and systems analysts average $76,624 U.S. The majority of
Infocomm workers have at least a bachelor's degree; 14 percent hold
a master's or a Ph.D. But because the industry is changing so
quickly, people who have acquired skills through other means can
enter the job market as well. Microsoft, Oracle, Sun, and other
companies have independent certification programs in Singapore.

In addition to the Infocomm Development Authority, there are other
professional organizations for the IT industry, as well as periodicals,
books, and websites aimed at IT professionals. Newscom Pte Ltd.
publishes several magazines focusing on regional IT issues.

Interviewing Advice
Before the interview, develop your strategy. Mentally review your
qualifications and good points; make up questions and practice
answering them. Dress appropriately. Because of Singapore's high
humidity, it is acceptable for men to wear a long-sleeved shirt and
tie for the interview, and for women to wear cool and modest
professional attire. Finally, get a map if you are unfamiliar with the
area, and start early. Punctuality is important.

Since Singapore is a hub for financial services, with many
multi-national companies, expect your interview to be in English.
Many of the younger generation are educated abroad, and speak the
language fluently. It is customary in Singapore to shake hands before
the meeting begins. Women extend their hands first when shaking
hands with a man. When you present your business card, do so with
both hands, as with any other papers.

Singapore is multicultural, as are some of its social conventions.
Avoid staring, and making direct eye contact. Also make it a point to
be respectful of age.

Engineering
Singapore's engineering industry is made up of more than 2,000
companies employing 145,560 workers. It is comprised of three main
categories: precision engineering, process engineering, and transport
engineering. Key engineering occupations include automation
engineer, software engineer, automotive engineer, aerospace
engineer, shipbuilding and offshore engineer, marine engineer, and
naval architect.

Software engineers average $87,449 U.S. a year; engineering
managers make around $118,513 U.S. To work in engineering in
Singapore, you'll probably need at least an undergraduate degree. To
register as a professional engineer, you'll also need some
post-graduate engineering experience. Depending on your level of
experience, you may also be required to take an examination.

Organizations and trade associations for engineers in Singapore
include the Institution of Engineers Singapore, which maintains close
links with other engineering organizations throughout the world,
among others. There are several engineering-related publications,
including The Institute of Engineers Directory, which includes listings
of companies and individual members, arranged alphabetically
according to discipline.


Work Permits
Citizens of Western Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand,
Japan, Hong Kong, or the ASEAN do not normally need a visa for a
short visit to Singapore. Foreigners must hold a Professional Visit
Pass if they are taking a short-term professional assignment in
Singapore. Instances in which a Professional Visit Pass might be
appropriate include conducting or participating in conferences,
seminars, workshops, or gatherings of a racial, communal, religious,
cause-related, or political nature; covering an event or writing a
story as a journalist, reporter, or accompanying crew member; giving
a talk as a religious worker; or performing as an artist at a nightclub,
pub, lounge, or other entertainment venue.

If a foreigner wishes to live and work in Singapore on a more
long-term basis, he must obtain a work permit or Employment Pass
through his prospective employer. Employment Passes carry an
annual fee of $30 S per year and take about six weeks to process.
All foreigners should contact the Singaporean diplomatic mission in
their home countries before coming to Singapore on business.

Accounting & Finance
Singapore's foreign exchange market is the fourth largest in the
world, after London, New York, and Tokyo. The financial industry
employs 104,584 workers. Key activities in this sector include trade
financing, foreign exchange, loan syndication, underwriting, securities
trading, and financial advisory services, among others. Employment
growth in finance and accounting is expected to be around 4 percent
over the next two years. Accountants in Singapore earn an average
salary of $59,744 U.S. and financial analysts average $78,784 U.S.

Management-level positions usually require a four-year degree. The
Public Accountants Board regulates Singapore's accountancy
industry and checks irregularities in the professional conduct and
practices of its members. Other professional organizations for the
finance industry include the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which
maintains a website offering information on careers and scholarships.
There are books, websites, and magazines related to the accounting
and finance industries that cover business events, financial industry
issues, governmental financial policies, and more.

Cultural Advice
Western business practices are fairly common in Singapore, but in
general, businesses are run much like families. Deference is given to
the group and to authority, and relationships are more important
than the company. Women are respected in Singapore business and
make up about a third of the nation's workforce.

Singaporean men wear coats and ties only at formal functions, but
women do tend to dress a little more formally than in other countries.
The prevalent Muslim and Hindu beliefs in Singapore require that
women cover their arms, backs, and knees.

In business meetings, address your colleagues by title and last name,
keeping in mind that many Asian names follow the reverse order of
Western ones. Present your business cards to everyone present at a
meeting, especially if you have an impressive title. Print them in
English on one side and Chinese on the other, preferably in gold ink.

Most employers give their workers a bonus during the Chinese New
Year. Often, this is the equivalent of one month's salary.

Prior to a meeting, it is customary to engage in social banter. During
conversation, be enthusiastic, but try not to interrupt. Politeness is
the single most important attribute in developing any kind of
relationship in Singapore. Speak in low, modest tones and avoid
standing with arms akimbo, which indicates aggression to many
Singaporeans. Avoid gestures of any kind, as many may be
considered offensive.


Sales & Marketing
Singapore's economy is shifting from an industrial base to a
knowledge base. To this end, the country needs workers who are
highly agile and comfortable working with new knowledge and
technologies. The government is currently focusing on four
industries: electronics, chemicals, engineering, and bio-medical
sciences. Sales and marketing professionals can find excellent
opportunities in these areas.

Singapore's position as a strategic and operational business hub in
Asia and as a launching pad for many consumer and industrial
products and services means that companies doing business there
must be exceptionally effective when it comes to marketing. There is
a growing need for marketing professionals who can develop
strategies in this environment.

Managers in sales and marketing usually must hold a bachelor's or
master's degree. The Asian-Pacific Marketing Federation represents
more than 25,000 marketing professionals in the region. The
Singapore International Chamber of Commerce is another good
resource for information on industries, markets, and employment
trends in Singapore. Foreigners seeking work in the sales and
marketing industries should also check out some of Singapore's
periodicals, websites, and books that cover these sectors.


General Business
Singapore's economic blueprint for the next century, titled Industry
21, calls for the creation of 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs each year. Of
these, 15,000 will be in manufacturing, 5,000 to 10,000 in exportable
services. Industries that have a particularly strong need for workers
include electronics, chemicals, biomedical sciences, engineering, and
information technology. Management consultants will find many
opportunities in these sectors; they earn an average of $81,882 U.S.
each year.

Singapore's view of education is similar to those of other westernized
global economies. Professional managers usually hold undergraduate
or graduate degrees. The Institution of Management Consultants:
Singapore sponsors a certification program for management
consultants in Singapore.

Business-related publications and other resources in Singapore
include PetroMin, an Asian magazine devoted to the oil and gas
industry. Technobiz Ventures is a website that provides a directory
of Singapore companies that have web presences.


This is only a small part what's available in the 75+ information packed pages of the Going Global Career Guide for Singapore:


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Country Career Guides Table of Contents

I. COUNTRY PROFILE

II. JOB-SEARCH RESOURCES
1.Online Job Sites
2.Government-Sponsored Employment Offices
3.Job Fairs/Career Events
4.Staffing Agencies/Temporary Help Firms
5.Newspapers that Publish Job Advertisements
6.Other Resources

III. EMPLOYMENT TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

General Trends
Information Technology
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Engineering
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Accounting and Finance
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Sales and Marketing
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
General Business
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources

IV. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
1.Business Organizations/Trade Councils
2.Chambers of Commerce
3.Telephone Directories
4.Publications
5.Other Resources

VI. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ( Cost of living, salaries, health insurance, taxes, vacation/leave, benefits, etc)

VII. WORK PERMITS/VISAS

VIII. JOB APPLICATION GUIDELINES
1.Cover Letter Guidelines and Sample
2.Resume/CV Guidelines and Samples

IX. INTERVIEWING ADVICE

X. CULTURAL ADVICE

XI. COUNTRY RESOURCE BOOKS

-Ref: goingrobal
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