"Only Singaporeans Need Apply"

[Northwind]

Many thanks for the above poster.

And to the poster a few above, talking about hawker center....Oh PUH-LEEZE...

I live in an hdb flat, play mahjong with hokkiens, and can do a helluva lot more than order beef ball noodles....

But that won't matter to most people - I will still get treated as though I am one of those with a big "Expat Package" like you are talking about. Does it matter that I am unemployed and flat broke? Nope, logic rarely wins over here...

To the person who said that I was incorrect about the qualifications for a PR - then you tell me how to get one please - because if you go to the Singapore Immigration website, that is exactly what they say you have to do.

[This message has been edited by Northwind (edited 26-07-2005).]

[I think]

 http://app.ica.gov.sg/serv_pr/per_res/app_for_pr.asp

The problem you have, however, is that you need to be employed - and logically why would the Singapore government want to let people hang around with no money to support themselves.

So when you DO get a job, apply for PR, and then you're sorted. Next time you're unemployed there's no problem.

[Hmmmmmmmmmmm]

"Flat broke"??

People who can't look after their finances don't make good employees.

[Monkeys]

You had a job and a desire to stay in Singapore, but you didn't have the foresight to apply for PR? Bad move, buddy, bad move.

[what?]

Again, people: the man was retrenched!!!! So above poster, leave off with "you should have used some budgeting skills". Geez, some people...

For goodness sakes, read his posts.

Northwind, I don't know anything about your field, but if I was you I would start hitting on some recruiters doors. Stress that it is urgent: something is definately better than nothing. It's really unair, but saying you're out of work always sounds worse than saying you want to leave your current job...

I have been in a similar situation and it's not fun. It's even worse when people don't think that expats will "lower" themselves to work for local contracts. To some of us, this is a great place to live and money, while necessary to exist (of course), is not our only factor of consideration.

[what?]

Monkeys, have you applied for PR? Are you a local?

You would know that to apply for PR it is generally expected that you have been here for two years, and even then there's no guarantee...

Have a good kick, there's a man down over here!

[Monkeys]

"I, for one, don't plan on up and moving"

But with no income, what will you do?

And I'm sure immigration/visa issues will force you out eventually.

Time to cut your losses, whack the cost of a plane ticket on your credit card and go back to the States where you can get a job easily and acquire some more  marketable skills than those you've got. From there, you can plan your long-term future, maybe in Singapore.

[Northwind]

Many sincere thanks to "What?" and to "I think".

On the question of being flat broke...
I made ONLY enough money to qualify for my EP on my last post...Paying for an HDB flat for 1k+per month, 300+ for groceries, 100+ for transportation, haircuts, necessities, etc. plus I was attacked, mugged and hospitalized some months ago, so I have monthly bills to pay there, bills from the USA, etc....

So you are wrong - somone who manages an extremely tight budget to get everything done and more - is a good employee... Companies like to "cut costs" these days, right?

To monkeys - "what" is correct. I was in a job, and planned on getting a PR, but you have to be here a certain length of time, and I got retrenched.

And sorry monkeys, but "What" is correct on another point - kicking a man when he is down is not a good thing, and it's not something I would do - so forgive me if I don't tuck my tail between my legs and run.

Not to mention the fact that if my skills weren't "marketable," then I don't think I would have gotten my first position here with such a large well known mnc, made big positive changes, etc....

Anyway people, we can end this. I have the answers to my questions, and the "Go Home" stuff is really getting old.

[riversandlakes]

seen that countless times on jobstreet. just apply. if you happen to hit a headhunter, it will help to make a case for you.

that sentence is as good as invisible to me...

[LoveSingapore]

The reason why many companies want only PR or Citizen is because of the hazzle of applying EP / work permit for foreigners. Most companies advertising need manpower urgently, they cannot afford to wait for EP processing, which may not be succesful, meaning must re-apply or hire other people.

[tonyl]

Just flew  into Spore for a week holiday and thought of looking for job opportunities at the same time. I hv been in the banking line for 10 yrs or so in the retail and sales/business development holding managerial positions. Qualification wise, I hv a MBA and so forth.  Would really appreciate feedbacks and tips.  Thanks and regards in advance.

[Slim Pickins]

One of the things it boils down to is that its expensive and time consuming to recruit people. So say they decide to hire you, then they have to wait 2+ weeks for the EP approval, then if your rejected its probably too late to call back candidate #2, they have to start over again and fork out more money.

If I was a boss and I knew I could get someone locally I dont think Id bother with the hassle either.

[to Hmmmm!]

Actually, although the UK does require companies to show that they are not biased against particular races or people with disabilities, giving the illusion that only black or one-legged people can get a job, those who are genuinely illegal should find it damn near impossible to work. Okay, the system anywhere is never perfect, but those people working illegally are often employed by high salaried white collar white Brits - who also do most of the whining about illegal immigrants!
The UK has many immigrants but because of negative portrayls in the press we have come to casually use the word 'illegal' for almost all, which would be incorrect.
In response to other posts - as an ang moh recently arrived I accept that some companies only employ locals, and some require you to speak Mandarin or another local language. I am living in another country and have to accept that, despite living here, I am a guest in this country.

[papas fritas]

Actually the reason that companies specify this when advertising for staff is due to the fact that each company registered in Singapore is required to pay a percentage of total salary into the CPF fund. This number is processed monthly by the MOM and they determine if you have room under this number to hire a foreigner. Therefore, a highly paid expat will force the company to either forgo hiring a small army of lower paid Malaysians, Indians, Chinese, or they offset that by hiring enough locals to balance it out. If they hire a PR to fill the position, they get the CPF contribution. When a company states that "Singaporeans and PR's need only apply" they are saying that they don't have enough room under the quota to hire a foreigner, as the MOM is already telling them they are near their limit.It's a protectionist policy, but certainly not racist.