IT consulting job offer and salary negotiation

[apollo_69]

Hi there, need a bit of advice about an offer I've just had....

The offer is SGD $7.5k/month or $90k/year + medical expenses, 15 days leave and 15 sick days per year...

I'm currently working in the UK on around £47k / $112k SGD with similar benefits and 28 days leave so this seems like a bit of a step backwards (although I fully expect the £ to fall off a cliff along with the UK economy shortly, plus the tax is higher here).

Firstly I'm just curious if anyone else has any experience negotiating their offers with consulting shops like Accenturre, and should the opportunity arise how easy is it to move to a contract position somewhere else, once I'm over there and settled with an EP pass?

Ta

M

[Twitter]

The offer sounds poor.  You accept that then you will have a problem getting more money once here.

There is no contracting scene here like the UK.  The EP is for a job, the employer applies for it.  If you move jobs it gets cancelled and then another one gets applied for when you accept the new job. 

[dumb mum]

I'd say it's too low.  What they are offering is a 'local package' but with EP.  Rents here are high (2-3K/months for a 2 bed apartment - assuming you are here on your own) or looking at 4-5K if you have family with you).  So see if you can negotiate a housing allowance.  That will increase your salary to more like what you are on in UK.

'Western' lifestyle here is expensive - booze, dining out (other than local hawker food), etc.

[_pripps]

I came here on similar conditions back in 2003, I didn't come here as an expat per se with house allowance, instead I was locally employed because I wanted to move here. I must say I don't regret that decision. After a year or so I applied for PR and then after some more time found another better paid job. It is much more difficult to do that remotely also once you have a PR it is easier to get a job as its less hassle for a company to hire you.

if you want to see something new and have nice weather, go for it - money isn't everything.

BTW at first I thought the number leave days here was a pain but you get used to it - I had 33 days annual back home but here all my spare time is like vacation.

You can also get cheaper accommodation, it depends on your willingness to commute and your expectations.

[Stunner]

I'd go for it - if only for the experience. You should be able to live on that salary - depending on your expectations . You'd have to sign up for an apartment for a year minimum but if you're prepared to stick it out for a year, you can always re-evaluate then. Of course, if you can manage to squeeze some more perks or $ out of them, every little helps

After all, the UK is only 12 hours away if it doesn't suit you

Good luck

[apollo_69]

Thanks for the quick feedback all....

Twitter - when you say there is no contracting scene do you mean for foreigners or full stop?  I've heard a PEP allows you to move more freely between jobs but not sure how hard this is to get...

I am young/free/single and willing to flatshare, so accommodation is affordable (of course my employer doesn't know that so I could argue the toss), but I agree once I accept the offer and settle it will be harder to negotiate a raise.....how realistic is it to expect housing allowance on a non-expat package though?  I'll definitely be asking for relocation assistance which they haven't mentioned yet but that's a side point really.

15 days vacation doesn't bother me too much (what are the public holidays like?) but as a consultant I'll be travelling a fair bit and working long hours away from home, so even on a local package I'd expect to be compensated for this.  Also the $90k SGD includes $300/month transport allowance which seems quite low, especially if I wanted to keep a car running?

I will probably accept the offer as the UK is totally fubared and I need to get out of here, but just want to know what level of negotiation is realistic and what my options are...

[Twitter]

As a foreigner, you have to have an EP to work.  Therefore you cannot freelance like the UK.  You would need to set up a company and then apply for an EP for yourself as an employee of that company.  Lots about here just search the archive.  Full details of PEP and all that stuff on the mom web site

Living here is expensive, cars are very expensive, eating out unless at a hawker centre is expensive, alcohol is expensive even in supermarkets.  300 a month will allow you to take the MRT and taxis but not run a car.  Public holidays are very few and far between, Boxing Day is a usual day at work for everyone, as is Christmas day for a lot of people.  IT industry works 24x7 here and the employer owns your soul, lots of hours to put in for no compensation like you would expect at home. 

IT scene in the UK is bouyant, several of my friends are moving jobs for better salaries right now.

[to Apollo]

I think it would be prudent to negotiate for a better salary. It's not worth taking a cut. Yes the tax is lower, but that shouldn't be factored into the equation. The salary should be market related and paid based on your skills and experience. If they're recruiting you from abroad, try pushing a bit harder.

Agree with PP comments about the UK IT scene, it is fairly good at present and anyone with decent skills should have no problem securing a good job.

Singapore is not cheap, even with the lower tax rate.

As a PP said, if you're looking at buying a car, budget at least $1000 a month (that'll be for a small entry level Korean / Japanese model).

Taxi's and public transport should be sufficient and the $300 allowance will cover it.

Going for a night out will set you back a fair bit of cash, depending on how much and how often you like to drink. Average beer prices are about $10 to $15, some good deals can be had during "happy hours" though.

Western food and western supermarkets are quite expensive, but if you're okay with hawker centre food everyday (some people can stomach it), you should be able to get by on $20 a day for 2 meals and drinks.

As others have said, it can be an awesome experience, provided that you have enough time and cash to enjoy it.

[_pripps]

The fundamental problem here is that IT jobs are not regarded as high qualified jobs, at least if you work for a firm that doesn't have software as their main bread and butter. In general IT jobs here are not paid very well - just look at some of the job listings - even if you have a lot of experience. So negotiating for higher salary may be tough if you don't possess some unique talent that none of the thousand or so cheap IT workers from India and the Philippines can't do.

[go for it]

It's a perfectly acceptable offer.

Firstly, on that salary, you will have a much higher take home salary than your UK salary. For the last tax year, you would have paid about 5% tax (slightly lower than normal because of a one-off tax rebate).

Also, the cost of living is MUCH cheaper than in the UK if you're single, don't have kids, and don't run a car (you won't need to with a $300 transport allowance).

You could try pushing for more - but don't forget, it's an employer's market right now. You don't want to p1ss them off.

I'd take the offer.....you'll have a great time, save lots of money, and have something interesting on your CV.

[apollo_69]

Well I went back to them and they've upped the offer to account for higher rent and relocation costs, so I've accepted

I worked out including sign on bonus and end of year bonus the total first year salary is around $110k SGD, and with ~10% tax vs 30% in the UK, and a falling £ my take home pay will actually go up.  I checked and I won't need a car for work so will find a place near an MRT....I don't drink much either and will hopefully find good organic produce at the local markets, I am 80-90% raw food vegan so won't be having to fork out $$$ to get a weetabix fix lol...

15 days holiday is a bitch but I can live with that for the opportunity and experience.....thanks for all the advice, here we come Singapore

[organic]

There is plenty of local produce at the markets but probably not organic.  Much of the food is imported into Singapore. You could get organic but at a price. 

Other than that, you are young, single and gung-ho and would have a good time in Singapore

[singin09]

Good for you Apollo, good luck with your relocation to Singapore.

I'm quite suprised and impressed that this thread has stayed relatively free from the usual bashing and negativity that is often seen on this forum.

Keep up the good work people. 

[stirling]

<and a falling £ my take home pay will actually go up>

What falling £ ? 

£ to Sing $ has been strengthening month on month not falling.

[apollo_69]

Thanks singin!

Stirling - GBP is screwed in the mid to long term because of the heavy borrowing and bad fiscal deficits.  Historically £ has been strong because of north sea oil, also was heavily used as a carry trade against lower interest currencies e.g. yen, and we used to have a manufacturing base once which meant actual productivity. 

Now GDP is way too reliant on financial services and the harsh reality is that this recession hasn't even begun, the knock on effect will tip the UK banks and economy over the edge and along with it the £ as BOE are forced to keep printing. Central banks holding of £ has been falling steadily and its days as a global reserve currency are numbered further weakening its position. The recent £ strength is just a short term countertrend imo, along with the "recovery" in global equity markets, and it's nearly over imo.  I think I have this move timed to perfection, time will tell...