Finding Work in Singapore

Lately, I have been receiving questions about going here in Singapore and finding a job. I remember myself in the same shoes almost a year ago. I have plenty of question but deep inside, all I wanted to get is an assurance that I will find work and be able to settle in Singapore for good.

So, i'd like to mention first and foremost that none of the things I will be writing following this line can give you a GUARANTEE. They can prepare you on what to expect but never to give you an assurance. Having said that, let's take a look at how to prepare for you for Singapore.

SOCIAL VISIT PASS

Social Visit Pass in Singapore issued directly from the Singapore airport could only be up to 30 days at most. You must remember to book a two way ticket as one way ticket without properly applied residence or work papers is a no-no. I have a friend, who found work in Singapore while she was still in Manila bought a one-way ticket to Singapore and was asked to buy a return ticket despite having an employer here already. It would be wise to arrange for reimbursement of these expenses with your employer. If you still do not have work in Singapore and intend to find work here, you can only come in as a tourist and again, stay only for a maximum of 30 days, if you are young and single...be prepared for questions, not in Singapore Immigration but in the Philippines... alam nyo na.

EPEC

For you to extend your stay in Singapore for a longer period of time to find work, apply for an EPEC (Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate) before coming here or while you are here. To apply, follow this link or for FAQ click here. For me, it is better for you to apply before you come to give you an assurance that you can stay longer if needed. Others say that it is better to file your EPEC application when you are already here in Singpore (mas madali daw pumasa). This would have pros and cons - if you resign from your work prior to coming here... hmmmm...applying for your EPEC in Singapore would be a bit too late. However, if you are just testing the waters and can afford to take a leave for 30 days, you can take your chances applying for your EPEC from here.

Thinking that you can find work immediately is not true for everyone. Another thing to remember with EPEC is that it is not a guarantee for you to get work here. It is used mainly to give you time and a proper pass to stay here for the purpose of finding work. You cannot study, work or do business here with your EPEC. You are simply a visitor given time to look for work for a year.

You apply for your EPEC thorough a simple form on the net. They will reply within 7 days from your submission. One reply will ask you for more papers like transcipts, valid I.D. etc. Another reply is a straight out "No, you did not pass." Who will pass and who won't? I'd say, who knows? Surfnux's blog on EPEC and the discussion that sprang from comments on this article was such a great help for me when I was deciding to come here. So do find time to check this out. The threads on this blog just shows that no matter how and where you got your degree, you cannot tell if you'd pass or not in applying for EPEC.


After receiving a confirmation by e-mail that you will be given EPEC, they will send you a letter stating the same within 21 working days. This paper is what you will give in ICA (Immigration and Checkpoint Authority) in Singapore. Usually, you will be given two years to apply the said pass, and a one year valid pass after you apply them in ICA. That means, if your letter was dated May 15, 2008 you have till May 15, 2010 to apply for EPEC here in Singapore. When approved, your EPEC will last for a year. Thus, you still have time to decide, especially for those who have family and have jobs that are not easy to leave.

You cannot immediately use your EPEC in the airport. The airport authorities will have nothing to do with your EPEC so do not give the letter to them. They however can give you a max of 30 days social visit pass same as for all other tourists. You need to go to ICA, right next to Lavander MRT, apply your EPEC at least 3 days before your 30 day social visit pass expires. Here you will spend around (indicative rate only) S$40 for the application and another S$50 for the medical. Plus food and transportation, prepare a hundred sing dollars for this visit. You cannot pay by cash so load up your EZ link (card used for transportation here) with S$40 sing dollars for the EPEC application. As for your medical, you can have it in any clinic island wide.

Medical? The medical here is not as rigorous as pre-employment medicals in the Philippines. They will ask for blood sample, maybe urine and xray and that is it. Nothing gorry or foul, you know what I mean. Unless you are really not in good shape, you are likely to pass.

Having applied and complied with the medical for your EPEC, you are now free to find work for a year. Frankly, though it is good to be allowed to stay in a foreign land for a year, it is not easy money wise.

BOARDING, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, JOB HUNTING EXPENSES

Boarding:

Many of us would think that since we know someone in Singapore it would be easy to stay with them. Think again. Much as your friend may want to accomodate you, here are some questions you need to answer first:

a. how close am I to this person?

b. does she/he live alone or with a group of other people in the same house/room?

c. is he/she renting a room or the whole flat?

d. how long can I stay under his/her accomodation?

e. do i need to contribute to the rent or the food, or the utilities?

f. is there any other option?

The usual living arrangements for Filipinos in Singapore is this: a group of people (family, friends) rent out a flat, each occupying a room. Most likely your friend may be occupying just a room in a house full of people you may or may not know. Worse, he/she is renting only a room in a flat where the owner (usually a local) also lives.

What are your other options? Here are some suggestions:

1. If your friend is living alone in a room, ask if you could divide the rent between the two of you or if two people are allowed to stay in one room.

2. Go in twos and rent out a room good for two people to cut cost.

3. Rent out a backpacker place and leave your valuables with your friends. Backpacker places are at about $25 a night.

Many Filipinos find accomodation in http://www.pinoysg.com/. So check this out first!

A room can cost $20 - 25 a night or $350 - 500 a month.

Important things to look out for :

can you cook? do your laundry? since you are looking for a job, is there internet connection? is PUB included (utilities included) or paid as it comes, aircon (it could get really hot here, and this should tell you if your rate is reasonable) , how far is it from the nearest MRT? Will I pay a deposit and an advance rent?

This is not to discount the fact that there are good hearts that are able and willing to help you out when you start out. But remember, this is a bonus, not the norm! How do I know? I was one of the lucky ones who have benefitted from the kind heart of friends...practically sisters. And yet, there were times I did not feel good, felt overly sensitive, etc. So if possible, do find your place in the sun and "mamaluktot muna habang maiksi pa ang kumot!" so to speak.

How would things change when you can finally want to settle on your own?

Rent of condo units in Singapore has increased significantly over the part year and is now pegged at $2800 at the very least. HDB or the government housing units (mind you, some have rooms better than in other condos, sans the facilities) could range from $1500 - 1800 for two bedrooms and $1800 - 2,800 for three bedroom flats. Thus, the solution of co-habitation. You also need to prepare a month advance and two months deposit for your room plus agent fees (half month for one year contract and one full month rent for two year contracts) if you decide to use one. Why would you want to do that? Because they can supply you with a steady stream of "Viewings" or pad options for you to decide. For busy individuals, this is a must. Plus an agent can guide you in other matters to protect you from lopsided deals.

If you do not have a group to join, again you can consult pinoysg.com for that. Postings for rooms for rent would be a good option when you are starting out. Rooms could range from 500 to 800 dollars. Although the option of living with people known to you should be your priority, mga kadamay kung baga.

Food:
Hawker places are everywhere. For some of us, especially those who are used to restaurants or branded fast food, this may not work out in the beginning but really...they are the best place to eat! Why? Variety, great taste, price. Amen.

Food in hawker places (outside and inside the malls) can be from $2.50 to about $8.00. Most famous of which are Variance, Kopitiam and Food Banquet. I love the coffee in these places! It will definitely keep you awake all day and night!

Restaurants, sadly will not be an option for everyone as they are always pricey ($10.00 up) unless for special occassions (when you find that new job! ) or when you need a break.

Home cooking will be best, if you know how to cook. This will save you a lot of bucks.

Transportation:

It is easy to commute in Singapore because of the MRT, bus system which you can inquire about in streetdirectory.com. Maps are also readily available right at the airport or in hotel lobbies.
Everyone travels using the EZ link cards which you can load and top up anytime in MRT stations or even in 7-11. Initially you can buy these cards at $15 with a $7 load, $3 refundable deposit and $5 cost of card. Top ups are made from $10 and above. You can use these cards for mrt, lrt and bus even in 7-11 and Mcdonalds. Fare starts at 90cents to about $2.90. All lines (green, violet and red) are interconnected to each other through interchanges.
Taxis are abundant but pricey. The flag down is at $2.50 with some surcharges for peak hours, CBD (Central Business District) surcharge, and midnight charge. But you can use your credit cards for this, just in case you ran out of Sing dollars.
Buses are numbered depending on the destination, (Fare starts at 60cents to about $1.80) the route of which you could inquire onsite on the waiting shades or through streetdirectory or SBS or SMRT websites.


Job Hunting:
Check out singapore job portals before you come here. Why? For you to check on the requirements needed, degree or experience needed. The first stumbling block I had was the PR (permanent residents) only need apply ads. Since I am not a PR, the jobs that are still available to me are highly specialized ones or are not from very good companies. There are those who are able to find work from the Philippines through these websites. Another thing you can do is apply in the Philippines and arrange for interviews over a certain time period. But if you are bold and adventurous (with money tucked under your belt) you can always just come here, check the websites, search in the Saturday papers and maybe even weekday papers and look for a job. Head hunters recommended by friends should also be considered especially for those eyeing senior positions. Remember: No FEES. Take a chance.

Some things to remember:

1. Saturday "Straits Times" is the equivalent of our Manila Bulletin Sunday edition.
2. But walk in applications (for entry level jobs) are mostly in the everyday papers.
3. Network. Network. Network. Referral was my entry point in the job I have now.
4. Attend job fairs.
5. Internet is important. You have a very lean chance of landing a job the old fashioned way - with a resume in tow, go from one office to another - look, apply and wait for response in the net. 6. Have all your credentials at hand. Original Transcript, original diploma, Certificates of employment, i.d. pictures.
7. Business attire. Good, comfortable shoes. A nice haircut.
8. Photocopy shops are not as abundant as in the Philippines. The best place to look for them are in photo shops in the malls. If you need to photocopy documents because you need to go to ICA or MOM (Ministry of Manpower), there are photocopying rooms in these institutions. I think for 20 or 30 cents each copy.

For more tips in looking for a job in singapore try these sites: Contact Singapore and Expat Singapore.
For Filipinos, living and working in Singapore is becoming popular for several reasons: it is near the Philippines and with the emergence of budget airlines it is not hard to go visit the Philippines when needed, the weather is similar to the Philippines, taxes are low (even nil for people who may be earning an est of 2800 a month), it is safe here, and with the increase in the number of Filipinos here, you will not ever be too home sick.
Is there an abundance of jobs for us? I'd say, I don't know. Depends on your profession, network or i'd even dare say luck. There are a lot of jobs but are you qualified for it? Are you willing to take the pay? What is your long term plan (take your family here, school your children here, etc.)? Will the money be enough? Does the benefit outweight the risks?
Decisions...decisions...