Lots of Jobs available?

[wherefore]

A quick perusal of the monster singapore website shows quite a large number of jobs in SG and given how things are, it seems unrealistic.  I have heard how tmp worldwide artificially "creates" jobs to stimulate activity and resumes to them, is this true?  And especially in HK advertises vapor jobs?
I am interested but not interested at the same time; would love to return to SG but must be sensible and on good terms.  I want to work for a global MNC not one of the bucket-shops who hire/fire at the drop of a hat but an organisation with a strategy and a purpose.  Comments?

[Vineeta]

Yes there are plenty of jobs but hardly anyone of them want foreigners. Those jobs mostly state, "Chinese only or Singapore PRs, citizens".

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[gmac]

Stating Chinese only for employment etc-Isn't that rascist? I know in Australia many Singaporeans are getting good jobs here, buying property both commercial and residential etc and shares and they call us rascist Perhaps we are just silly!

[Pugg Mahone]

I am sure in Singapore the advertising is overtly discriminatory.  They can (somehow) get away with it as the regulations (if they exist) are not enforced on discrimination.  Within SG the Chinese are discriminating against Indians and Malays and of course Expats but less so as they still view Expats as a source of knowledge and skills transfer.  But certainly in current times, the employers (and agencies) are discriminating against expats in favour of Singaporeans.  Australia is not a country which discriminates on race.  If you apply for a job, race or religion is not relevant but age, and some other things are discriminated agains but carefully and certainly not overtly.  After all employers must BE SEEN to be fair and impartial.

[Commentator]

Mahone: May I make a comment to point out the difference between discrimination and consideration.

Singapore does not discriminate based on race as you would have found out living here. But the consideration of hiring is currently based on CITIZENSHIP Status. Every country has to make a balance between the concerns of the citizens and the foreigners. So it is not a simple matter of what race you are, etc.

If a Singaporean had to go to Australia to find work, I bet the regulations and challenges to be faced are similar.

I hope this will put perspectives in place.

[amitchello]

Well commentator, I am a Singaporean and can tell you that  Singapore DOES discriminate on race. And I am 35 years old and born and bred here. They've driven it underground by disguising it with "must speak Mandarin". Give me a break!

[Indented]

I held a senior banking position some time ago in a European Bank and early in my term asked one of the local senior (Chinese) VP's why there were no Indians working in the branch?  He informed me that there was one (with a wry smile) and later an old Sikh man came around delivering the mail.  Two Malays (drivers) all the rest Chinese!  Why?
They (Chinese) are VERY discriminating and even racist if I may say so!  
I agree with earlier comments that there are some suble and some not so suble ways of discriminating in SG (mandarin speaking is one significant way!).

Ironically some time later an Indian from India (decision by HO in Europe) was appointed as Gen Mgr.  ALL the local Chinoise were really pissed!  Many even quit.

[Whisky]

Interesting how a jobs thread is turned into a discrimination thread.

So, WHERE are all the great jobs?

[amitchello]

So Commentator, what's the story, morning glory? HOw did we all get it so wrong?

[very curious]

Indented - Was very pleased to read your article. Find myself in a similar situation. Would like to pick your brains a little more on your experiences if you will allow. Please kindly contact me at swiftwrite@hotmail.com

Many thanks.

[Indented]

very curious,
You've got mail!

[mandm]

It does seem impossible initially - you need an employer to get an Employment Pass but can't get a job without some form of pass.
I'm actually going through TMP at the moment and am having some very good opportunities offered despite not having an Employment Pass. I think many companies are put off because they assume an ex-pat would require housing allowance etc but if you can be flexible on your package I would recommend contacting TMP directly and discussing with them.

[fallentalen]

Ok, so WHERE are all the senior banking and finance jobs?  Who are the most worthy/useful headhunters?

[singaporean]

hi all, i'm a singaporean & am overseas right now.  may be coming back anytime.  not trying to add any controversy, just for sake of nationalism.  but just wanted to add some comments about asking for singaporean citizenship or PR.  i've found that singapore is the one of the most open countries in accepting foreigners for jobs above the interests of citizens.  in the country (which is one of the world's biggest country) i'm in now, it's almost impossible for foreigner to get any job now.  sure, the non-discrimination slogan is still in the air, but employers say they now give the job to citizens & will employ you only if no citizen can fulfill the duty.  i'm sure many jobs in singapore can be fulfilled by singaporeans, but many companies are continuing to hire foreigners who earn money which may be earned by a singaporean in his entire lifetime.  i rather be a little more straightforward in the advertising than have someone tell me no discrimination but the truth is...

[Maestro]

singaporean, you are right to an extent. Having said that a lot of the jobs in singapore can be filled by singaporean, I know a lot of singaporean who just don't want the jobs that are available. Librarian, research scientists..... and also highly technical, highly specialized jobs in the industry.
My company is an MNC, and when we were looking for a researcher cum QC personnel for our lab it is impossible to get a qualified local (masters in science). Qualified and willing to work, sometimes shifts, on Jurong island.
Another instance, it's a little generalization but there are singaporeans who just quit the job because "they don't like it", or "don't like the boss". Quit just like that. For sensitive jobs, which require a lot of training, you don't want to recruit people like that. It's wasting an investment. I personally know two such people, not from my co but from others.

There are valid reasons why companies recruit foreigners. And it's not as you typify it, "above its own citizen's interest". You only have 2 million people here, and with the size of the industry here, like it or not you need supplemental talents. Made worse by attitudes of some!
You work in a big country, with bigger, much bigger pool talent. So the difference in treatment compared to sg.gov may be justified.
And last, I agree with you regarding the word "discrimination". It's not so much so. Or rather, if it is discrimination, it is practised everywhere. In the west, the asian feels somehow discriminated. In the neighboring country, chinese like me is blatantly discriminated, from certain jobs, from going into state universities etc. So yes, singapore is mild in that sense.
And I haven't yet known any good jobs that says openly "chinese only". Rather, it says usually "Singaporean or PRs only". Which is understandable.