Singapore salary report!

Wednesday, 08 June 2011

Most Singaporeans prefer to work abroad

Singaporean jobseekers have indicated that they are interested in working abroad, if given a chance to do so, according to a recent survey done by JobStreet.com. An overwhelming 85% have said that they want to work abroad if given the chance, in contrast to just 5% who expressed no interest in doing so.
When asked about their level of seriousness in working abroad, 33% said they are passively looking for such opportunities, while another 32% said they are actively seeking such opportunities. Another 29% said they are still considering the pros and cons of doing so, while only 6% said they are not serious, or not interested at all in doing so.
Of those who have expressed disinterest in working abroad, 65% cited family as the primary reason for not wanting to work abroad, while another 11% mentioned that they prefer to remain in their comfort zones. Another 6% said that there are good career prospects here, and 17% mentioned other factors.
On the other hand, of those who want to work abroad, 38% cited career growth as the main driving factor, while 24% mentioned better financial remuneration. Another 19% said that the chance to travel as the compelling factor, 5% would do so for the sake of their children’s education, and 2% would do so because they want to follow their spouses to that particular country.
When queried about which country of preference they want to work in, 23% have indicated that they prefer to work in China, Japan or Korea, as opposed to 22% who want to work in Australia. Another 14% favor America, while 9% want to make a living in Britain.
On a final note, about 56% of jobseekers surveyed said that they will look for jobs abroad through recruitment firms or headhunting agencies, while another 20% would do so through referrals. Another 16% said they would look for such jobs through newspaper or online advertisements.
About 600 managers, senior executives and executives in Singapore participated in the survey in May 2011.

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A Slowdown in Employment - Job Outlook for Singapore in Fourth Quarter 2011, 
says JobStreet.com

Singapore, 11 January, 2012 – JobStreet.com releases its Job Outlook Report for the Fourth Quarter of 2011, and finds a slowdown in employment across all industries.

The Job Outlook Index, as measured by JobStreet.com, looks at the expectations of job growth (or employment prospects) in the industries on a quarterly basis. A higher index means that the industries are creating jobs and employment, while a lower index means the reverse with lesser jobs on offer.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2011, the Job Outlook Index registered 38 points, a 22-point drop from the preceding 60 points, which reflected the general confidence level about the economy.

Job Growth or Employment Prospects: For the Fourth Quarter of 2011, 35.5% percent of respondents felt that employment prospects for the next 12 months will be slightly worse, while 27.5 percent said that it will remain the same. Only 18.5 percent were optimistic, saying that job growth will get better.

Effects of Slowdown: Respondents were negative about the effects of the slowdown on the economy, with 54 percent saying that the economy will only recover in the 2nd half of 2012. Another 17.6 percent expressed that the economy will be rather stagnant for 2012. There are also 22.8 percent said that they are uncertain about the economy and thus will hire lesser. Interestingly, 5.6% percent are positive that the economy will improve.

Hiring Activities: About 14.5 percent of employers felt more optimistic in expanding their new hire rate, while another 19.8 percent said they will maintain their present hiring rate. The bulk percentage (45.7%) said that they are hiring less for the next 12 months, taking on new employees to only fill essential positions, and the remaining 20.1 percent said that they will not be hiring in the near future.

Top 10 Specializations Employers Seek
4Q 2011	3Q 2011	All Industries
1	1	Marketing & Business Development
2	4	Sales & Marketing (Corporate/Wholesale/Merchandising/Retail)
3	3	Customer Service
4	2	Computer & IT (Software)
5	5	Sales & Marketing (Engineering/Technical/IT)
6	8	Engineering (Mechanical)
7	7	Engineering (Electrical)
8	11	General/Cost Accounting
9	6	Human Resources
10	17	Freight & Shipping

Top specializations sought: The top specialization still towards Marketing & Business Development. And most of the specializations remain unchanged. Marketing & Business Development and Sales & Marketing will still be in demand for 2012, not forgetting, Customer Service as well.

Note:About 320 JobStreet.com clients, managers and senior managers across various industries in Singapore participated in this survey in December 2011.


What people are saying about Fourth Quarter 2011:

"Market doesn’t seem to be improving or companies don’t want to take people in. Companies or consultants just give the jobs board about the job they have but don’t know if they really want to take in people.”
(Industry: Finance)

"The labour supply in construction industry remains very tight in local PM, Site Engineers, SQS, Coordinators, etc. There is no shortage of foreign applicants but the demand for senior level positions are not there for the foreigners.”
(Industry: Construction)

"Seriously nothing moving much, everything is freezed"
(Industry: Computers and information technology)

"Headcount at best remains the same."
(Industry: Trade - Retail, wholesale and general)

"In general, the situation is improving but still has a way to go, to reach pre-financial crisis levels, if that. However, in the low to mid income range in Singapore, salaries are still much lower than they should be, versus cost of living which is increasing."
(Industry: Finance)


79% will consider a Career Switch in Singapore
Singapore, 10 January, 2012: Only 55% of Singaporeans said 2012’s employment market is suitable for a job change, according to a recent survey conducted by JobStreet.com. 79% of Singaporeans will consider a career switch.

Only 39% are still confident to secure a job, 47% are uncertain but willing to continue their job search and the rest are not confident and believe it will take a longer duration. When we asked the duration needed to secure a job, 36% said it will take about 3 – 5 months, another 33% said the duration may extend to 6 months and above.

On the other hand, the top three pulling factors for a job change are the Salary package offered by potential employers, the financial stability of the organization, Career advancement within the organization.

On a final note, when we queried about methods Singaporean jobseekers use to find jobs, 87% of jobseekers surveyed said that they will look for jobs through Job portals, while another 52% would do so through referrals and Newspapers. Another 39% said they would look for jobs through head hunters.

About 2800 managers, senior executives and executives in Singapore participated in the survey in December 2011.