need advice on salary structures

[enjaybee]

I am a professional in the audio visual industry and have just had a very good interview with a pro audio manufacturing firm in Singapore. However, they have asked me to get back to them with details about the kind of salary and benefits that I am expecting for my work. The position is that of the worldwide sales and marketing manager, and I will have to report to the board of directors. I have 11 years experience in this field. I was wondering if  a package of about S$60 / 70K per annum plus allowance for accomodation, etc. would be good enough. What are the other things that I should ask for ? This my first time at working overseas and I will be moving with my wife and my 2 year old son, if at all. Also, what kind of taxes will I have to pay ? Any other things that I should be aware of ? any help will be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays !!!!!

[abc]

i should think you ought to be asking for a lot more than that

[marcus2u]

It all depends on your job nature. It will be hard on you with 3 dependent for just 60K per year.
You probably need to tell me more about your job nature.

yaptl@yahoo.com

[enjaybee]

Well, the job will have me setting up the entire marketing and sales side for the company, right from setting price lists, demonstrating the product at trade shows, setting up worldwide distributor channels to giving ideas about new products that could be developed. It is a new company and I would be part of the core managment team. What in your opinions would be a good package ?

Thanks.

[EWK]

Don't under-sell yourself!! Is the company a local company or an MNC? Are they hiring you as an expat from overseas? If so, you should negotiate for things like housing, a car (these are VERY expensive over here), a maid (but that's up to you having read some other stories on this bb). Once you have these things, then start talking about what you get as a base salary. Also, check if there is a joint tax agreement between Singapore and your current home country. If not, you have to pay double tax. The company should pick this up as well. If it is an MNC that already has expats, then they should already know all of this. If you are the first expat, then you could lose out on a lot of things that you should get. But as times are still a little tough, they may cut your package a lot...

[Paul N]

How much are they paying for rent?
What do you make currently in your home currency?
Do you expect to have a car?
Will you want to AC your home full-time?

The Singapore dollar is worth about US$.60.  Would you want to move from the middle of nowhere, where you can rent an entire 4-bedroom house for 800/month, to New York City where a studio apartment would likely cost in excess of 1500/month?  All on a salary equivalent to US$36000/year.  It would be financial suicide.

3 bedroom semi-detached house   $3000
1.6 litre Ford four-door sedan +$1600
Utility bill for W/S/T and AC  +$ 800
Food bill for "normal" Ang Moh
family of four                 +$ 600+

Right there you have bills of =S$72000 and you haven't even paid taxes yet.  If the company doesn't tax equalize, you will be paying close to %40 of it in tax if you are a US citizen.

If the norm for your job is to be paid less than $US36000/year, this may be a step up in salary for you, but I have a sneaking suspicion you may end up very disappointed. You may get here and find out that Westerners normally spend significantly more for a "normal" western lifestyle than a local spends for a "normal" Singaporean lifestyle.

If it were me, the only way I would even touch an expat posting is if it were at least as financially advantageous as what I were making currently, or maybe slightly lower if I just wanted the experience of living overseas.  I would guess that what they are offering up front is significantly low given what you describe as a pretty high-level position.

[This message has been edited by Paul N (edited 01-01-2001).]

[Jaye]

I think you need to sit down and discuss in detail about salary , car and housing allowance.Singapore is expensive place to live and  S$3000 will get you a very small place of 2 bedrooms . S$5000 is more reasonable. The company needs to pay your utilities bill, child education and your family heath insurance also. If they don't give you a car, make sure that you get some transportation allowance around s$1500 up.

Good luck
Jaye