Please ... won't take 2 seconds of your time

[IC]

I posted a topic early last week but haven't got any response till now so I thought I'll try again but will keep it brief this time. Was wondering if DP holders generally have difficulties in getting good jobs as I've noticed that many job postings exclude applications from non PRs and foreigners. Thanks in advance (keeping my fingers crossed that some kind souls will reply this time).  

[Paul N]

As a DP holder you may work on a "Letter of Consent" as long as you earn an amount below the stated threshhold (someone help me with a $ figure.)  Many employers don't like employing DP's because they know that the DP holder is not going to be a long-term employees as they are at the mercy of the EP holders job.  Don't give up.  There are lots of positions out there that look specifically for DP holders as they are either short-term projects, or they are positons that don't require a ton of training.  Keep looking, especially places like the American Association of Singapore's website.  They have a section devoted to jobs such as these.

[rose]

The American Association runs a Career Resource Centre for Expatriates (CRCE).  It currently costs $90 for the year, $40 to join the American Association and $50 for access to the centre.  They have job opportunities emailed to you and put together a resource package to help you in your job search.  If you are a Dependant Pass holder you would only need to get a Letter of Consent from the Government, as far as I know there is no $ amount limit to how much you can earn.  You can contact them at crce@pacific.net.sg.

Thats my 2 seconds worth.  Good luck with your job search.

[IC]

Thanks for the advice guys.  Hmm ... does sound a little daunting I have to admit. Could I perhaps hear from somebody who's a DP holder or somebody who knows a DP holder who's been successful in getting a non contractual full time job so that I can keep my chin up?    Would it help if I let the prospective employer know that I'll be staying in Singapore for at least 3 years? For your info, I'm still in NZ and will be moving at the end of next month.

[k1w1]

I'm on a DP (my wife has the EP), and have a full time open ended professional position. I was originally on an EP (when my wife got transferred here the company I was working for in NZ offered me a job here too - they didn't know about LOC's so got me an EP) but I quit that job. Now on an DP/LOC. In my experience many employers do not know what a letter of consent is, so be prepared to explain it. Yes there is a waryness of the fact that you may have to up and leave if your spouse is transferred. In general it is not that easy for foreigners to find work locally, expect to be discriminated against - try to go for organisations (ie international companies - big or small) that are less likely to do this. It does depend on your qualifications eg it would be easy if you were a teacher.
Its worth pointing out that many Singaporeans change jobs after only 1 or 2 years, so if you can claim to be here for 3 years, an employer should be happy!

By the wall I think it was some some of blunder at immigration that allowed us both to have EP's in the first place so I wouldn't count on doing that. Also, for an LOC the condition is a minimum salary ($2000pm) not a maximum and tax can be easier on a DP/LOC if you do change jobs while here.

[KimS]

IC,

You do not mention what it is you do, or what type of position you are looking for. We hire DP holders for part time positions. There is no reason why they can't work full time hours, but generally they choose not to due to other commitments.

If you want to do some part time work in a research oriented position let me know as we are usually on the look out for people.

[This message has been edited by BoardManager (edited 02-02-2001).]

[KimS]

Paul N,

OK scrap earlier message. I've just read elsewhere on the board that you will be leaving Singapore in 35 days. Very sad... you will be missed.

Any other DP husbands welcome to get in touch for part time work though.

[Paul N]

Kim S,

Thanks for the offer, but being Singapore's Hairiest Amah keeps me quite busy, as does preparing to leave (although you would never know it from the amount of postings I leave here.)

If your research happens to be in the field of Rubbish Bin Bacterial Growth, or Refrigerator Bioloical Experimentation, I am your man.  Also an expert in Overnight Diaper Quantity Containment, and Inaccurate Urinary Trajectory Telemetry.  Any of these fields fit in with your research?  I would be more than happy to e-mail you results of studies I have already completed and others that are on-going.

[Mark D]

Kim S

Can you tell me what these jobs are? My wife is bored and would be interested in a pt job. Pls e-mail direct if you prefer

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[IC]

k1w1:
Thanks for sharing your personal experience on this issue.  I hope you're happy with your current job and good luck to you.

PaulN:
All the best to you on life back in OZ (is that where you came from?).  I'm sure that your countless contributions to this board have been much appreciated by many.

KimS
Thanks for your offer but I need to find out more about those research positions before I know whether it's something that I'd be interested in.  In response to your question about myself, I am a Marketing graduate and have 3 years of sales & marketing work experience in various industries.  Currently I am working as a Business Planner in a major NZ retail chain.  However I intend to get involved in telecommunications when I'm in Singapore so I'll be looking out for positions in that field. The only experience I have in telco is a 3 month contract job in Telecom NZ working as a Telephone Sales Consultant. If you (or anybody reading this posting) have any contacts in the telco industry, I'd greatly appreciate some assistance to get my foot in the door. You can email me directly at irene.chan@mailcity.com.  Thanks!  

[Paul N]

Thanks IC, but I'm a Yank.  Going back to Potatoville, Idaho, USA.  My postings aren't countless, my profile screen says this one will be number 510.

God, I need to get a life!  

[JLS]

IC,

Another option is to start your own company.  Costs less than $100 to register and you can now do it without having an Employment Pass holder be listed as a manager of your company - all you need is a DP.

When applying for a position, you inform them that even though you would have a contact with the company, it is your company, not you as an individual that would be paid.

If you are covered by your spouse's insurance, you may be able to ask for more money as you will not need so many bebefits.

I've done this for seven years.  People assume that I am an employee as I have a business card with my employer's name ...etc.  The part about your own company is hidden below the surface and customers/colleagues will not know - only the employer's HP dept.

[LucyM]

Hi,

I also work in marketing - when I first came here I had my own EP as I got transferred with my company - when I got my second job I decided to be a DP and work on LOC for various reasons.

There is no reason why with a degree you shouldn't be able to apply for an EP once you have found a job. If you apply to international companies they shouldn'
t have a problem with this. Or get an LOC. One annoying thing is that as a DP holder I can't get my own mobile phone account - my husband had to apply for it!

One route you could consider is applying to a marketing agency - most of the big ones are very used to hiring people from abroad and most of the big ones have a telecomms account and I know lots of them are looking at the moment.

E-mail me if you like lucy_mccabe@yahoo.co.uk

[Louise Summerfield]

Kim S, could you email me, I would like some advice.  Your email wasn't visible unfortunately.
Thanks,
Louise S
Louise@asummer.freeserve.co.uk