Singapore is well known for its low taxation, minimal cost of living, and warm, welcoming climate. Also known as the hub to Asia, Singapore is notoriously safe and welcoming. Living and working in the city is a dream shared by many.
Luckily, the job market in the Asian city is steadily growing. More industries are popping up, and there’s a huge increase in expats and locals founding startups. Finding a job in Singapore is highly doable for expats - but how do you get started?
This guide will walk you through the 8 steps for finding a job in Singapore.
1. Check your eligibility to work in Singapore
Before getting into an exhaustive job search, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re eligible to work in Singapore. There’re a few different kinds of permits based on your qualifications. The Ministry of Manpower in Singapore has published an online self assessment tool, SmArT, to gauge your likelihood of eligibility.
While the SmArT assessment can give you an idea, you shouldn’t take it as a guarantee that you’ll be eligible. Some factors, like permit quotas and your personal background aren’t calculated with the online assessment. Keep in mind you can’t apply for a work visa without a job in place and a salary offer that meets a minimum requirement. Therefore, applying for your Singapore visa is one of the last steps you’ll take.
2. Choose a thriving industry
While Singapore is host to many markets, some industries are stronger than others. Historically, Singapore has been a welcoming home to finance professionals, especially those in audit and securities.
While the financial job market is as strong as ever, new industries are rising quickly in the Southern Asian city. Jobs for IT workers, digital marketers and compliance specialists are surging. Demand in the fields of tech and ecommerce is also high with a huge push in hiring UI and UX designers, as well as hospitality, service, tourism and computer science. Other prevalent roles in Singapore include talent management and HR leadership.
3. Understand common employment practices
Before committing to work in Singapore, it’s a good idea to review whether the most common employment practices are a good fit for your lifestyle.
With information about salaries, skill training, leaves of absence, holidays, hours, contracts, and much more, the Ministry of Manpower has a comprehensive list of employment resources to help you get an understanding of what working in Singapore will actually be like.
4. Search Online
One of the best places to look for open positions in Singapore is online. With a multitude of web resources available to aid in your search, the following sites are some of the biggest and most used by Singapore job searchers.
Best Jobs encompasses a huge archive of job posts from many industries
Monster contains listings across every market in Singapore
Jobs.com.sg uses a single search to help finding listings on multiple sites
eFinancialCareers has job openings in Singapore’s biggest market - finance
Jobs Central includes a huge number of listings in a lot of industries
Job Street where you can create a personal profile and host your CV so employers can find you.
5. Meet with an employment agency
Even with most openings online, there’re plenty of advantages to working with a recruitment agency for your job search in Singapore. A recruiter will help you work on your CV, cover letter and interview preparations. They’ll give you a better understanding of your industry and potential employer, including tips about the company’s history and culture.
While it’s important to do your own research and choose the agency that’s the best fit for your industry and skills, the following have been well reviewed as trusted agencies in the city.
3C Synergy for jobs in construction, oil and gas
Aegis for jobs across industries
American Association Career Resource Center specialises in helping expats find jobs
Career Hub Consultants for jobs in finance, tech, engineering, science and hospitality, among others
Spencer Stuart places candidates in jobs across a range of industries
6. Meet people
Networking is very important when looking for jobs anywhere and is no less crucial in Singapore. Some great groups to meet with if you have a chance to visit the city during your job search include:
Startup Grind Singapore to get involved with the city’s vibrant startup community
The Hub for networking events and great tips and articles
TiE Singapore to meet aspiring entrepreneurs and mentors
Any of the many business and professional gatherings listed on Meetup
If you can’t get to Singapore, it’s still a good idea to network. Reaching out to other professionals on LinkedIn, either through their blogs or on twitter, can yield great results in getting job leads and introductions to businesses in Singapore.
7. Apply for your work visa
Getting a job offer is a huge accomplishment, but doesn’t represent the final step in the hiring process. Next, you’ll need to apply for a Singapore work visa.
Luckily, Singapore is a multicultural city that’s home to many expats, and is typically welcoming of foreigners seeking visas. In order to obtain one, you’ll need a job offer, to pay a registration fee and to submit your application. You can apply for your visa online and have it processed in just 7 days.
Before you apply, it’s important to know what type of visa you’re eligible for. The common visa types are as follows:
Employment Pass for professionals earning at least 3300 Singapore Dollar (SGD) per month, typically in senior positions with their company
EntrePass for entrepreneurs looking to start their business in Singapore
Personalized Employment Pass only given to high earners already holding an employment pass, but offering huge flexibility in employment terms and eligible industries
S Pass the most common visa type for typical foreign workers, provided to mid-tier professionals earning at least 2200 SGD per month, and who have passed the requisite assessment
8. Get ready to move
You may be wondering how to go about converting your money to Singapore Dollars. If you plan to open a bank account in Singapore or know someone with an account there, consider using TransferWise to convert money to and from Singapore.
There’s a small transparent fee, and the real exchange rate is applied to convert from one currency to another - the same one you can find on Google. In addition to that, TransferWise receives and sends money via local bank transfers instead of internationally, which saves you even more money by eliminating international transfer fees.
Once your visas and currency exchange are in order, you’re ready to move to Singapore! As a multicultural hub that takes pride in its safe and friendly environment, adapting to life in Singapore can prove much easier than doing so in other Asian cities. The majority speak English and there are a plenty of available (and excellent) cuisines. Finding housing isn’t the crunch that it can be in other business hubs like New York and London. For tips and information about living in Singapore, check out Living In Singapore’s excellent compiled list of expat blogs.
Good luck!