Trailing Spouse hoping to secure employment?

[brisvegas1]

My Husband is on an Employment Pass here in Singapore and I joined him 4 weeks ago.  Since arriving I had discovered the challenges of finding work here are a little difficult with my work history.  I have a HR Diploma and work history mostly in Administration/Secretary Support which, from what I understand, are not the high demand jobs here.  Further, I do not speak Mandarin.
I am thinking this may be a good opportunity to complete a degree or take on some volunteer work?
I would appreciate any advice given so that I may get onto a more productive path.  As you may be aware, applying for jobs everyday can get a little tiring when I could be doing something more productive.

[Furthering education]

I would say is a very good idea while you have the opportunity.

As you say the type of jobs you are looking at often require Mandarin and I know at our place and many others you require a degree too such is the environment of competition for these jobs - jobs which are being cut too - we have 1 admin now where 3 years ago there were 4/5.

There are a number of educational establishments to choose from and many will offer degree's from overseas like UK, Australia and the USA which are the equivalent of the degree given out by the institution there so you will get worldwide recognition.

Go for it rather than being frustrated chasing a job you will not get nor probably like when you get it - you have the time, motivation and opportunity to further your education now.

You will also meet a whole new circle of people

[brisvegas1]

Thank you for the reply, it just reaffirms what I am already thinking.
It is a relief to get a straight answer, now I understand why I don't get any response or phone calls from agencies! 
Have a great weekend.

[disagree]

I disagree

I am from a HR background and this and an admin background will serve you well in some areas. You may want to take a trip to the Womens Association in the American Club to see what leads they have there for employment. With your background you should try and be a bit flexible as to what you want to do and look at things like, Recruitment Consultant, working for a removal firm or any kind of position that requires client facing and plate spinning which a lot of expat women generally tend to be good at.

I have a HR background and I was never out of work here or in HK, except for now by choice to look after my kids.

[good luck]

My Husband is on an Employment Pass here in Singapore and I joined him 4 weeks ago.  Since arriving I had discovered the challenges of finding work here are a little difficult with my work history.  I have a HR Diploma and work history mostly in Administration/Secretary Support which, from what I understand, are not the high demand jobs here.  Further, I do not speak Mandarin.
I am thinking this may be a good opportunity to complete a degree or take on some volunteer work?
I would appreciate any advice given so that I may get onto a more productive path.  As you may be aware, applying for jobs everyday can get a little tiring when I could be doing something more productive.

You dont have a degree, cant speak Mandarin, cant speak Malay...only English. It will be difficult for you.

Best to go to employment agencies, and take it from there.

[forget local cos]

As per nic, language issue and they probably have no idea what a letter of consent is, can't be bothered with it or applying for EP for you.

MNCs different, almost solely English speaking as work language (including clients) and they know the regulations and are used to dealing with them.

Caveat, large local companies (eg DBS) different but culture is still "strange" or will be for you.

[Rose_25]

Hi,
I am an architect with 3 years work experience in my industry,currently on a dp.
I am facing the same problem too .I did apply to plenty of jobs but no response:(.
This makes me also think of taking up some advanced design course  or volunteer work to be better informed. Any idea people?
Many thanks

[another trailing spouse]

My advice to pp and 'trailing spouses' is to do proper research (ie what jobs are out there/skill sets in demand /do a lot of networking (including chamber business events) and know your USP/unique selling point (a lot of people don't know their strengths, value add).
Job websites include monster, jobsdb, efinancialcareers, linkedin or recruiter websites that post their openings as well.

Quite frankly (and coming from HR myself) 4 weeks is not a long time and most of my peers (even the highly qualified spouses) look for the right opportunity for a longer period (several months). 

Singapore is a highly competitive market where there are a lot of good people (local, asian and global talent) thus those who invest in all above activities will be more successful than those waiting for things to happen.   

I also understand the frustration of not hearing back from companies etc - that is the reason why I highly recommend to network and find people in similar situations/people who will help you. Also, some of the chambers have fantastic career services - without wanting to promote too much check out CRCE - they run a series of great, low cost workshops on career development etc.

Lastly, keep your motivation & positive energy! (even at times when frustration hits)
best of luck

[where r u]

Hi,
I am an architect with 3 years work experience in my industry,currently on a dp.
I am facing the same problem too .I did apply to plenty of jobs but no response:(.
This makes me also think of taking up some advanced design course  or volunteer work to be better informed. Any idea people?
Many thanks

Hi are you currently in Singapore? What nationality are you and which country did you get your experience from? Degree or no degree?

I work as a project engineer and liase with architects on a regular basis.

[Cxxx]

My Husband is on an Employment Pass here in Singapore and I joined him 4 weeks ago.  Since arriving I had discovered the challenges of finding work here are a little difficult with my work history.  I have a HR Diploma and work history mostly in Administration/Secretary Support which, from what I understand, are not the high demand jobs here.  Further, I do not speak Mandarin.
I am thinking this may be a good opportunity to complete a degree or take on some volunteer work?
I would appreciate any advice given so that I may get onto a more productive path.  As you may be aware, applying for jobs everyday can get a little tiring when I could be doing something more productive.

I was in the same position when we first moved to Singapore, I have no degree and 10 years work experience in property sales and management in the UK (plus not married so on a LTSV)
I spent six months applying for jobs, in that time I got virtually no response from any hirers, eventually had an interview with a recruitment consultancy and got the job, ep came throughout with no problem. 

I would agree with the other poster that 4 weeks is no time at all, I also think that mnc's are your best bet as they will be familiar with the whole process.

During my six month 'career break' I volunteered at the riding for the disabled which I really enjoyed and got to meet lots of people in similar situations,if you google volunteer Singapore there are lots of opportunities to keep you busy while you look for work.