Saturday, October 10, 2009
New Location
Sorry guys, I have moved to another location, so this site may no longer be updated unless I get to visit Singapore once again. Thanks!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Budget 2009 - What's in it for foreign jobseekers?
It was one of the most anticipated news in January 2009 and one of the most discussed once it was released. Is there really something much to discuss or hope for on behalf of the thousands of foreign jobseekers in Singapore? Sorry to disappoint you guys, but the Budget won't be much of a help to foreigners but it is meant to give a helping hand to local businesses and citizens/PR's.
S$5.1B is set aside for Jobs Credit Scheme which aims to provide up to S$300 of worker's monthly wage paid by government to the employers' CPF payment for its employees, which is equivalent to subsidising wage for every 10th employee. With encouragement from almost all sector, employers will tend to protect a local job over a foreigner for every 10th job saved with the government aid.
February 2009 Survey for Foreign Jobhunters in Singapore
This will be the second part of the survey that we have conducted on September 2008 to all foreign jobhunters in Singapore. Purpose of this survey is to have an insight on the actual jobhunting experience of foreigners in Singapore. Survey will run for one month or completion by 250 participants, whichever comes first. After which, analysis of data will be posted in this site.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
10 Singapore job sectors that are hiring during the recession
As I was writing this post, one part of me was telling me to forget it. Why? Because the news in the past two days seemed to say so, and you don't even need a crystal ball to look further.
'30,000 new jobs this year' . . . but 'job losses in other sectors could reach 34,000 this year, peaking around third quarter'. Do the arithmetic and you'll know if there are really more jobs this year.
'Grim forecast of 300,000 job losses . . . most expected to be foreigners hired in past 5 years'.
Looking at the bright side of this dark times, there are still job sectors, which, despite all the news of losses and retrenchments, will see an increase in hiring within the next 2 years. Here are the ten sectors:
1. Healthcare - Ministry Of Health announced in the middle of this month the creation of 4500 jobs in the next 2 years. Although mostly healthcare professionals, administrative and ancillary staffs are also needed.
2. Teaching - 7,500 teaching and teaching support jobs will be available this year as announced by Ministry Of Education before the end of 2008.
3. Home Team - 1,050 vacancies for Police, Prison, Narcotics, Immigration and Civil Defense officers and staffs.
4. Social Works - As more and more Singaporeans will be seeking assistance partly due to the effect of economic recession, more social workers, psychology specialists, special schools therapists and support officers are needed by the National Council of Social Services.
5. Childcare - NTUC First Campus, Singapore's biggest childcare operator, will build 25 more centers in the next 12-18 months.
6. Public Transport - There is a significant increase in ridership as more people are leaving their cars and start taking buses and MRT's.
7. Alternative Energy (manufacturing) - New and upcoming plants for the manufacture of solar and wind energy equipments and other parts have been opened or planned.
8. Process Industry - 12,000 jobs available in the petrochemical and chemical processing plants.
9. Biotechnology - Projects worth $1.5B will be put up. Genentech, a major player in this industry, just opened a new plant on December 2008 and four more plants are coming.
10. RND - Engineers and researchers are needed across all applicable sectors, especially in biotechnology and alternative energy.
Sectors 1 to 3 are for government ministries/agencies, therefore, it is intended for citizens and PR's. Extremely talented foreigners and those with 'passion' (Teaching) and 'ethnic language ability' (Social works) may be welcomed.
While there is a possible increase in small budget construction projects, hiring within this segment may be overtaken by the number of layoffs in big budget projects, especially after completion of the two huge Integrated Resorts.
Lastly, businesses who are surely enjoying a good ride in these times are those involved in 'budget', 'bargain' or 'used' products and services. They are airlines, hotels, restaurants and shops.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
WK03 - News roundup
General
Electronics manufacturing
At least 2,000 manufacturing, electronics workers expected to be laid off in Q1Shipping
Healthcare
Retail
IT/Engineering/Customer Service
Banking/Finance
Construction
Monday, January 12, 2009
Planning your travel to Singapore
Despite all the negative news about employment scenario in Singapore but you are still planning to jobhunt at this period (which I think may not be fast and easy), there is no better option but to plan for the cheapest way to travel, stay, eat and look for job in Singapore.
Duration
First things first. Plan for the duration of your stay. The one-week-stay success story is no longer common these days. I suggest a 3 months stay or a two-time extension of your social visit pass (if you don't have an EPEC certificate yet).
Budget
Assuming you are a backpacker type of jobhunter, I have a 90-day budget suggestions below covering (almost) all of the basic expenses.
1. Airfare - S$300-800 - budget airline round-trip ticket from Philippines or within the SEA region. Price does not include airport tax and terminal fees. Check prices and airlines.
2. MRT/Bus - S$270-450 - an average of one round-trip travel each day for 90 days. Check fares and routes.
3. Accomodation - S$900-2100 - Bedspace for a month is usually priced at S$300. Please note that there are also bedspaces for transient travelers usually priced at S$12/day. Always check before finalizing your choice if you can cook, do laundry and if wi-fi internet and cable TV is available at no extra cost. If you want to go for budget hotels, some of them are located near or within the red-light districts. Guys, remember, we have a budget to watch.
4. Food and drinks - S$450-1350 - You can spend about S$5/day if you cook your own food in the rented apartment/flat. However, there are always hawker centers nearby for a meal of S$5 if you want to try the local delicacies.
5. Appliances/accessories - S$50-400 - If you are planning to cook but the house owner does not share his appliances, you can always buy used rice cooker and other items at S$10 or less. There are also used laptops at S$300 or less. Suggested place to look for is at Toa Payoh Central Market or at Barang Guru in Perak Road. You can update me if you found a better place to shop. Caution: do not ask for demonstrations or test the items if you are not planning to buy.
6. Newspaper, Phone calls and Internet - S$100 - 400 - Straits Times is priced at S$1 every Saturday. SIM card is at S$15-20 (needs passport during purchase) and there are call cards priced at S$27 for call value of S$125. There are free internet stations provided in malls but you can have privacy and print copies of your resumes in internet shops at S$5-20/hour. Lucky Plaza at Orchard Road is a favorite place to hangout.
7. Visa extension - S$100 or less for 2 30-day extensions. Please note that if you have an EPEC, you are eligible for a one-year stay at an additional cost of S$100 and medical exam at S$50 or less.
8. Others - S$100-300 - The usual almost always forgotten stuffs: soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, medicine etc . . .
So there you are, almost ready to go. However, if we go back to the original intention of putting up this site, being a part in the statistics of improved tourist arrivals in Singapore but at the same time increasing the unemployed statistics in your home country, is a very serious matter. Therefore, there are two things for you to check over anything else.
1. Unless you do NOT BELONG to the manufacturing, real estate, retail, shipping and other sectors badly hit by the economic recession, do not give that last paper to your boss yet. It's better to send your applications online while still having a job and still at your home country.
2. If everyone else in your clan or village depends on you for their daily bread, there is no need to think twice, but a thousand times before resigning from your job.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
News Roundup - WK02
General
TST: More small firms seek loans
TST: V shaped recovery?
Manufacturing
CNA: Manufacturing sector up in December
Transport and Storage
GulfNews: Singapore boosts cargo traffic by 7.1% in 2008
TST: First major shipping casualty
Financial Services
Yahoo!News: Barclays Wealth to shed 30 jobs in Singapore, HK
TST: More small firms seek loans
TST: V shaped recovery?
Manufacturing
CNA: Manufacturing sector up in December
Transport and Storage
GulfNews: Singapore boosts cargo traffic by 7.1% in 2008
TST: First major shipping casualty
Financial Services
Yahoo!News: Barclays Wealth to shed 30 jobs in Singapore, HK
Hotels and Restaurants
Real Estate and Leasing
AsiaOne: Bull run over for Singapore property
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Business and Employment News Sources of Singapore
Listed below are some of news sources online:
Notes: 1. Print version is a major source for job ads every Saturday and Wednesday.
2. Online version for ST Classified Ads is st701. However, not all job ads in print version can be found in st701 site.
2. TODAYonline
Note: Print version is second widely circulated newspaper in Singapore.
Note: Online version of Channel News Asia television channel
If your fingers are tired of clicking at all the news sites, you can check consolidated news from the following sites.
2. EnterpriseOne (government website)
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