
Brush off the resume and put on your best smile, the boss will see you now.
It’s a hugely busy market here in Singapore, so all the more reason to stay one step ahead of the pack. Here’s some things you need to keep in mind when finding a job in Singapore.
Visa
First things first, non-residents must hold a valid work pass to be employed in Singapore, but what type do you need? Find out all about permits and passes here then take the government’s self-assessment test to see what you qualify for.
CV 101
All jobs start with one of these, but how can you make yours stand out? You only get one chance to be fished out of the pile, so make yours shine. Talk to people who have been working here for a while to get a better feel for your points of difference and USP in this job market.
Education and skills: Keep it relevant. HR won’t want to know about a 7th grade swim certificate, but if you captained a dive club, they might. In Singapore it’s not unusual for HR to ask for transcripts of your university degrees so be prepared to dig them out of storage.
Interests: Yes, you can include these to give a sense of your personality, but don’t put people off by going too far. Taken ceroc classes? That’s pretty cool. Qualified pole dancer? Not so much.
References: It is very important to have two recent referees and, if possible, from organisations or brands you’ve worked on that are known globally or in the region. Employers or HR will more than likely get in touch, so make sure they’re good ones and always get permission before you include a name and contact details. Ask someone else to proof read your CV before sending it off. And remember to tailor it for each role.
Cover letter
A cover letter is such a great opportunity and yet so much can go wrong! Misspellings, pally chit-chat, generic descriptions. Learn how to sell yourself and stand out from the crowd – in a good way. Use a standard typeface and do NOT insert a smiley face. Let the content do the talking. To whom are you writing? Find out, and spell the name correctly. (To whom it may concern doesn’t cut it in the era of LinkedIn). Don’t repeat your resume – this letter tells the employer WHY you have applied for the role, HOW it suits you and WHAT you can offer. Keep it relevant – any previous experience is useful to know as long as it fits the subject matter.
Still lost for words on both letters and resumes? It’s all outlined here.
Agencies
Not everyone likes the idea of using a middleman to look for work but a good head hunter can shed new light on your resume and should have a sense of the opportunities and dynamics of a marketplace that you aren’t yet familiar with. And this can be very valuable.
Career Compass – This one’s supposed to be for students, to help them work out where they might be best placed, but no harm giving it a whirl yourself for just the same reasons.
Contact Singapore – Major job portal allowing both citizens and foreigners to search for available vacancies.
CRCE – The Career Resource Centre for Expats (part of the American Association) helps those from overseas look for the perfect role, and it’s not just for newbies. If you already have a role but want to move on, they can help brush up the resume and redirect your career.
MOM – Make sure your decisions are legal and accurate by checking everything you do against those in the know.
Singapore Workforce Development Agency – Another one-stop-shop pledging to help workers advance in their careers, and offering everything from resume advice to further training.
Skills in Demand – There’s nothing quite like someone who’s done their homework. Place yourself right where you’re needed by checking out the Strategic and Skills-in-Demand List, a specially drawn up collection of occupations that are considered key to Singapore’s economic growth.
STJobs – Sign up to this site and you can keep up with the latest roles, register for the annual career fair and even upload your resume to speed up the application process once you’ve found a role.
Be sure to check the Arrival Lounge Job Board and also Careers at Honeycombers!
The interview
Here’s a tip. Allow plenty of time to get to your interview if you’re relying on a taxi, in case the weather doesn’t hold. And getting yourself in a lather trying to locate the building in the heat of the day doesn’t make for a cool, calm and collected candidate. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Read up all you can on the company and take a peek on LinkedIn to see who you’re meeting. You don’t need to stalk their house, just a bit of background info will do so you know who you’re dealing with. Be polite, especially if you’re going for a local role as the process can be quite formal and traditional. If you are invited to talk about your new life in Singapore, then by all means do, but keep it upbeat and positive!