Don't want to go

[$Pripps]

[beenthere]

I think the idea to contact an international headhunter is a good one. I am a bit angry at myself for being so hesitant, after more than twenty years with the same company, I feel somewhat reluctant to go out there and explore other opportunities. Yet, this is what I want to do.

I've been there and will offer that complacency can be very dangerous  for someone who is at your stage in a career.  Despite the relatively weak dollar and the rapidly increasing cost of living, the Singapore expat life can cause you to lose sight of those things that are important when it comes to maintaining progress in your career, including the daily politicking that happens around the HQ.

I would probably ask whether your company has specific plans for you and your career post-repatriation, or is repatriation simply a means to save money.  If it doesn't have plans to promote you or if cannot describe how it will leverage your international experience in any specific way, then your value to them may have already peaked. 

In this day in age, one has to examine very carefully the benefits of staying with one company beyond 5-10 years.

[Friday 13th]

Our time here is up as well. It is very difficult for us to return home. When you go to a new place, everything is exciting and it is the beginning of an adventure. Returning home, especially to a city that you didn't like that much to begin with, is a pain in the butt

[TheGuvnor]

Then go for it. Talk to headhunter and every contact you know and see if you can find another job. You might get something or you might not, but you certainly won't if you sit on your ass and do nothing.

You might well need to have a good think about what kind of salary you would be willing to accept to stay here. If you've been on the full expat deal then it will be hard to find the equivalent, but do you really need that much money to live here and still be happy?

That said, I've been in a similar situation for the last 6 months and after many happy years in Singapore I am back 'home' in a few weeks.  But in the words of the great Arnie. I'll be back

[Friday 13th.]

Then go for it. Talk to headhunter and every contact you know and see if you can find another job. You might get something or you might not, but you certainly won't if you sit on your ass and do nothing.

You might well need to have a good think about what kind of salary you would be willing to accept to stay here. If you've been on the full expat deal then it will be hard to find the equivalent, but do you really need that much money to live here and still be happy?

That said, I've been in a similar situation for the last 6 months and after many happy years in Singapore I am back 'home' in a few weeks.  But in the words of the great Arnie. I'll be back

Did you have any luck with headhunters?

[TheGuvnor]

Well not enough luck to get a job   That said there are jobs out there, but of course the more senior you are the few suitable roles will come up.  I also think that there is a fair degree of age discrimination going in, and as previously mentioned the assumption that as an ang moh, you will be expensive. If you are prepared to accept less money to stay here, then you need to make that clear.

As anywhere in the world there are good recruitment people here, OK ones and some pretty terrible ones, but after talking to a few you will soon find out which are which. In my view it's about getting your name out there and your CV seen by as many people as possible. I don't know what industry you are in, but there are some good websites out there. Put a CV up and you will get calls.  Maybe not for suitable roles, but at least it spreads the word a bit further

Good luck

[Friday 13th.]

Well not enough luck to get a job   That said there are jobs out there, but of course the more senior you are the few suitable roles will come up.  I also think that there is a fair degree of age discrimination going in, and as previously mentioned the assumption that as an ang moh, you will be expensive. If you are prepared to accept less money to stay here, then you need to make that clear.

As anywhere in the world there are good recruitment people here, OK ones and some pretty terrible ones, but after talking to a few you will soon find out which are which. In my view it's about getting your name out there and your CV seen by as many people as possible. I don't know what industry you are in, but there are some good websites out there. Put a CV up and you will get calls.  Maybe not for suitable roles, but at least it spreads the word a bit further

Good luck

I will do that, darn procrastination.

I wish you the best as well for your future.

[oBAMA]

You are most probably a WASP.From your point of view, life is to be taken and enjoyed as it is your god given right. I hope you life fails miserably and that along the way, you may learn the lessions of humility,graciousness and compassion towards your fellow less fortunate human beings. 

[Globalization]

Again, thanks to everyone who replied.

My sense of adventure is such that I jumped on every expat posting my current employer had offered in the last 15 years. We loved Europe and we enjoyed Mexico. Wether Singapore is boring or not depends on your point of view. For my wife and I, we loved being here. Nevertheless, I would take a position in Australia or anywhere else in the world, just the fact that our expat/global lifestyle comes to an end is what we are struggling with.

HQ are in the US and it no longer feels like home.

I think the idea to contact an international headhunter is a good one. I am a bit angry at myself for being so hesitant, after more than twenty years with the same company, I feel somewhat reluctant to go out there and explore other opportunities. Yet, this is what I want to do.

Have you told your Current Company that you don't want to return to US?  And what are you returning to?  Is it a promotion back in the US?   If it's not - i.e. if they just want to retain you at your same level without the Expat price tag and replace you with a 'Local' in Singapore - then you have nothing to lose but to get headhunted here NOW.

Or, if they are replacing you with someone else on a 'Local' package, couldn't you ask to be localized here?  Or are you one of those living in a huge house worth $15000 a month and cannot bear the idea of putting your kids into public school because their fees at the US International School will no longer be covered?

The pain of localization as companies Globalize themselves....there is another thread on this too. 

If you are the type that I describe, (and I assume you are, having worked for a USA Company for 20 years) then I think it would be quite tough for you to find a similarly well paid Expat deal at your senior level in a rush.  What's your time frame??

[To Obama wanna be]

You are most probably a WASP.From your point of view, life is to be taken and enjoyed as it is your god given right. I hope you life fails miserably and that along the way, you may learn the lessions of humility,graciousness and compassion towards your fellow less fortunate human beings. 

Please return to your void deck.

[mmm ....]

To oBama

Think about it ... " humility,graciousness and compassion " and you have shown this how?

[Democrats]

Republicans abroad are just another name for losers in the American economy and failures of american society. A classic example of white trash abroad. Failed at home and havig a equally if not more emotionally dysfuctional existence overseas.

[Love it!]

"Failed at home <by getting promoted to a coveted overseas management position> and havig a equally if not more emotionally dysfuctional existence overseas <in the top 5% of the Singapore income bracket>."

Yes, makes perfect sense.