Working at Singapore - Experiences and Tips

[yhokz101]

Kasulay ko bro, ug strict na jud an PH ug SG IO sa ing ana labi na bata bata pa nga family member ninyu. OK OK ra if mga tiguwang na.
Nagkuha ko ug Authenticated na IL sa embassy tah 42 SGD. Ako si pada tru LBC speed pouch tah 7 SGD ang bayad dawat didto less than a week(3 days). Apili ug padala ani mga mga docs para safe:
- Photocopy sa imu Pass
- Photocopy sa imu Passport
- Photocopy sa imu Credit card if imu CC an gigamit sa pagpa book
- Photocopy sa imu Marriage Cert if imu wife an mu anhi
ug
- Apili ug padala ug Ginamit na nimu nga OEC para maka save sila sa travel Tax...murag 700 nlan guro an mabayran instead sa kadu 2k+ if wala OEC. Ipakita diay nang imung ginamit na OEC sa kadtu travel tax counter para maka discount.

salamat kaau bai siodenz, sa ako man unta asawa mo ari ako mo invite. noh strict na diay jud ang IO sa cebu ug diri.. ako nalang jd e follow imo advice bro.. but one thing lang ha..kanang sa imo ingon na OEC btaw ma apply diay nya na? mga ginamit nko na OEC?

[kolz]

Taken from PSG about the "Realities of Searching for Jobs in Singapore"

Im in SG now for almost 3 weeks, kakapasok ko pa lng this week as an Electrical Supervisor sa Jurong. Been looking for a job nonstop for 1 week bago ko natanggap ang current job ko ngyn.

PLEASE DONT BE A VICTIM of agencies with registration fees kuno, almost all of them are bogus I have friends na nabiktima na din. As much as possible try to find a job on your own and not rely on agencies. Internet job postings are fair game pero mas ok ang newspaper and walk in if you have connections. Sa mga kababayan natin na non technical or F&B or customer service and admin ang hanap, na magririsk to find a job here in SG please consider it carefully before spending your hard earned money here, mostly PR or locals ang hinahanap nila, if meron mang tumatanggap ng foreigner (medyo madami padin naman) you have to compete for at least 15 other people for that position. Reality bites here.

I strongly recommend the EPEC application (pls see related threads). Hindi man ito sure way to find a job, if you have this employers will take you seriously.(note that some employers hindi nila alam ang EPEC, be very keen on explaining it to them). EPEC comes from the Ministry of Manpower and most employers consider applicants with a good book on their labor department.

Technical graduates preferably with experience have, I believe, higher chances to land a good job here in SG. No particular timeline, some less than a month some 1-2 months. And that makes a lot of difference satin kasi 60 days lng usually ang binibigay nila.

Things to remember here?:
1. Get a good room (sa central areas para hindi talo sa pamasahe)
2. Be ready to spend a lot, and spend it wisely.
3. Get a local mobile number immediately and post it with your cover letter and within your resume.
4. Always buy a newspaper even on weekdays. Saturday classified ads are good pero you have to remember hindi lang ikaw ang tumitingin dito especially on a weekend na off day ng karamihan. You will have to compete for those that don't currently have a job and those that are seeking for another job. I got my job in less than 2 weeks on a Wednesday issue of Strait times.


Lastly don't jump on the band wagon of finding an easy career here. Reality is, going here is a very big risk. Be prepared for rejections. If you are a fresh graduate I strongly recommend to build a good foundation first sa Pinas then come to SG. We have a strong sense given the outcome of the past election here MOM is and will be very strict on the renewal and application of employment passes. (madami ng nareject).

I always wanted to write here in pinoy sg, madme din ako nakuhang insights from this site, and I hope I had repaid them by writing and posting this.

Special thanks to Mr. Richard Macalintal's blog, I recommend reading it before kayo pumunta dito because its like an idiot's guide for those seeking opportunities here.

Additional Tips :

1) If you are an undergrad, most likely MOM will reject your application. I'm not generalizing, its just that - you would be competing for the job with other people who most likely might have higher credentials/qualifications than yours. So to be competitive, try getting a degree or pursue higher education when you still can or gain more experience there in Pinas.

2) IT profession is still in demand, but currently there's an oversupply of IT professions in Singapore, mostly competing Indian ITs. Again this goes back to my tip in #1, try to get as much certifications/credentials/experience when you still can.

[siopao1984]

kani ako ikatambag sa ganahan manimpad.

basaha ning blog sa ako kaila

The Singaporean Keso

[SioDenz]

Sir mag ask lang ko, ang kanang invitation letter kailangn jud na from your family/relative in SG? pwde ra friends?hehe

pwedi ra friends, dala lan photocopy sa iya mga rekwesitos

[SioDenz]

salamat kaau bai siodenz, sa ako man unta asawa mo ari ako mo invite. noh strict na diay jud ang IO sa cebu ug diri.. ako nalang jd e follow imo advice bro.. but one thing lang ha..kanang sa imo ingon na OEC btaw ma apply diay nya na? mga ginamit nko na OEC?

Yup, magamit jud, ipakita sa may counter sa kana travel tax para naay discount imu misis, basta less than 1k ra magasto sa imu misis ig anhi bro. Strick jud bro kay labi na tan aw nila pwedi manarbaho diri imu gi invite. Ayaw kalimot sa Marriage Cert para way blema. kumabati diay ni ig abot ni misis

[nielcast]

bro, 2hrs ra sa bdo nimo account, pero $5 imong nabayran nga charge sah?

$4 dollars ra bro ako nabayran... kay pag.tan.aw ako sa ilang pwesto kay naa man BDO nga logo, aw mao didto ko, pero 4 dollars raman gihapon bro... nya ingon nga 2hrs..

[nielcast]

@siopao1984 ok sept 3.

@nielcast halfday raka pag sabado dba?

wholeday ko pirmi boss oi... mon to sat. sunday ra gyud ako vacant...

[siopao1984]

Taken from PSG about the "Realities of Searching for Jobs in Singapore"



Additional Tips :

1) If you are an undergrad, most likely MOM will reject your application. I'm not generalizing, its just that - you would be competing for the job with other people who most likely might have higher credentials/qualifications than yours. So to be competitive, try getting a degree or pursue higher education when you still can or gain more experience there in Pinas.

2) IT profession is still in demand, but currently there's an oversupply of IT professions in Singapore, mostly competing Indian ITs. Again this goes back to my tip in #1, try to get as much certifications/credentials/experience when you still can.

qouted from my friend's blog

Before I end this blog, I am going to reveal 2 things. No.1 - 80K pesos is not really a conservative budget for a month. Your 80K can go beyond a month. and No. 2 – most jobseekers do not always gets the job in 30 days.

I got to sign a job offer after the 5th day of my stay; however my employment pass was approved only after 28 days from the contract signing, then finally, I started working on my 41st day in Singapore. Remember that you don’t get your first salary on your first day of work, and so you have to have back up funds. In fact, if you can bring more than 80K, it would be a lot safer. Another thing is that, what if you still don’t have a probable employer and your visit pass is running out. In most cases, an extension is applied a week prior from its expiration. A visit pass extension is applied online, and if approved will extend your stay for another 30 days upon approval. This is when your back fund will come handy and you can start drawing plan "B", but of course it’s going to cost more money. Therefore, even if you have the funds, stick to the plan of getting it done in 30 days, as the saying goes.. "Aim small, miss small".

While others still think it’s a crazy idea to get in the maze via a Tourist Visa because it’s too risky, I would say, I would rather take the shot. Get in and play it strong. Getting into a hot water; always makes you clean. Good luck and I hope to see around.

[jinkazama92]

Yes, Ghost month ron, since Sunday man siguro to nag start. After sa ghost month, lantern festival napud, dili holiday unya daghan display ug lantern sa chinese garden after ini. Then magbaha napud ang mooncake aning time-ma.

Haha. Its called Hungry ghost month.

[yhokz101]

Yup, magamit jud, ipakita sa may counter sa kana travel tax para naay discount imu misis, basta less than 1k ra magasto sa imu misis ig anhi bro. Strick jud bro kay labi na tan aw nila pwedi manarbaho diri imu gi invite. Ayaw kalimot sa Marriage Cert para way blema. kumabati diay ni ig abot ni misis

hehehe..salamat kaau bro.. pero pastilan jud ning invitation letter arang mahala man diay $42 + pa courier pa.. nganu man mahalon mannila dili naman pareha sa OEC nga price.. invitation letter raman pod na.. dili man daw na ipa kita diri sa IO.. pinoy jd na style way clear. hahay....then balikon pa ang invitation letter after 2 days? tinuod ni?? pero wala man lage ni diri bro? LINK