Interested in starting a career in Singapore? Read our previous article on thriving industries and job opportunities in Singapore here.
Relocating to another country for work is not an easy decision. You will need to do a lot of research, plan your move, register for a work pass and many more. A lot of time and careful planning goes into it. But Singapore has proven itself as a country with progressive immigration processes.
So, if you’re planning to find a job in the Lion City, here’s what you need to know…
A brief guideline on securing a job and working in Singapore
1) Check your eligibility to work and live in Singapore
Before you start your job search, you must first check whether or not you’re eligible to work in Singapore. As mentioned in our previous article, there are different types of work passes based on your qualifications. You can check whether or not you qualify for an Employment or S Pass by clicking here. It’s important to understand that going through this assessment doesn’t guarantee you a working pass since there are other factors that affect your eligibility too.
After you have understood which work visa is suitable for you, only then can you proceed to find a job. However, don’t get confused! Applying for a work visa is the last step in this process because you cannot apply for a work pass without placing a job and getting a salary offer. We’ll talk more about this towards the end of the article.
2) Research jobs in thriving industries
Now that you’re clear as to which work pass suits you, you can then proceed to research the different types of jobs available in Singapore. Singapore is host to many markets. And it is widely known for its role as a leading tech innovation hub. So, you can be sure that Singapore is looking for more professionals and experts to join their workforce, especially those from thriving industries such as financial, technology, healthcare, engineering, and marketing industries.
3) Discover Singapore’s common employment practices
This is an important step that not many people are aware of. Employment practices are different in most countries. If you are committed to building a career in Singapore, you must understand the common employment practices in this country. For instance, you need to know the average salary offered, how many leaves of absence you’re subjected to, what is the working hour in Singapore and so much more. If you’re wondering where to get this information, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has prepared a comprehensive list of employment resources to give you a clearer view of what it’s like working in Singapore. Or if you have more questions, you can always contact us!
4) Look and apply for jobs
Here comes the best part—searching and applying for jobs! These days, the best way to look for job opportunities in Singapore is to go online. There are plenty of online job sites made available for you. Some of the most popular ones are Monster, LinkedIn, Job Street, eFinancialCareers, Indeed Singapore, and Job Central. Many of these job-searching platforms allow you to create your resume and submit it online for employers to find.
Or if this is not an option for you, you can also meet with an employment agency. When you engage with an employment agency, they can assist you in preparing your resume, cover letter, and interview preparations. Of course, if you’re not keen on paying for this service, you can also find jobs through networking online and offline. And there are plenty of networking platforms available, such as LinkedIn and TiE Singapore.
5) Apply for a work visa
Got a job offer? Great! After you’ve secured a job and received a salary offer, you can start applying for a work visa. As mentioned above, there are different types of work permits available in Singapore. But don’t let this scare you—as a multicultural city that is home to many expats, Singapore welcomes foreigners who are interested in starting a career or life in the Lion City. You can apply for your work visa online and the process will take up to seven days. But to ensure a smooth-sailing immigration process, it’s recommended that you seek professional assistance.
Our team at Transform Borders has helped many others, just like you, to secure a work visa and live in Singapore. Here’s what our client had to say about our services.
“Sulochana has helped me with my Employment Pass application and it was successful. She handled everything so positively and was able to face challenges on the documents really well. The process was very smooth and I have Sulochana as my excellent guide throughout which has lessened my worries. She always replies to all my questions promptly so that I could be able to have a clear understanding of the process and how it works. I will happily refer Sulochana to people that need passes in Singapore. Thank you Sulochana.” — Inka
While the immigration process in Singapore is fairly progressive, it’s always a great idea to seek additional advice from professionals like us to ensure that everything is done accurately and in accordance with the law. For more information about applying for a work visa in Singapore, send in your immigration-related questions with us.