The Singapore Forum

Hi everyone.
I'm new here, been reading a lot of threads here and there is a lot of useful information.

I'm sure you all have seen this question before, but I'm hoping you can all spare me some of your time and share your useful advice.

I am looking to relocate to Singapore and require some assistance in gaining employment.

I am Australian and 26, I have been working as an accountant for 3 years, currently in Inslovency industry. I have almost completed my CA qualification, believe its called CPA in Singapore.

Are you able to provide some information as to how I go about getting a job in Singapore. It looks extremely difficult and I don't know how to do it.

Appreciate any assistance given.

I think your problem won't be finding a job, but getting the employment pass. The government is reducing quotas for all foreign talents. I have four positions to fill (not for accountants I'm afraid), but can't hire hire any. The local talents don't pass muster and I can't raise my employment pass quota for love or money.

Sorry to sound so grim, but good luck on the job search.

Depending on the industry it's an employers market at the moment. Singapore is also losing to status as a low cost location so more companies are dehubbing out of this place.

Best bet Is to find some headhunters who concentrate on your industry. LinkedIn is also something that's handy to find leads and some networks.

Even with a PR I've been looking for work without much success for about 12 months now.

In addition unless you have some specialist skills , accountants is not something they are short of in Singapore. The over supply means that it would be difficult to get a job and wages are low.

Accountanting / Finance is one area that Singaporeans seem to gravitate to for various reasons. So, no particular local shortage in that field that I know of.

In general, just saying "I want to work in Singapore" isn't going to get you far. The tried and true best method is to work for an international company in your home country, particularly one with a regional HQ in Singapore, and let it be known that you would be interested in working overseas.

Remember that there are thousands of Indians and Chinese who are multilingual and have accounting certifications also, and they will work more hours for half of what you will (whether or not they are as effective or efficient is generally not something considered much here in hiring decisions).

Having said that, LinkedIn and headhunters are both useful in finding jobs here I think.