Sunday, December 12, 2010

Looking for a Job in Singapore?

Foreigner looking for a job in Singapore? If you are, read more to find out what you can do to help yourself rather than fly to Singapore on a Social Visit Pass and pray for the best in you job hunting during that time.


Yes, that is what some foreigners have done and I have encountered a few while interviewing candidates. The kind of urgency I feel they have in their job hunt in Singapore as a foreigner? They apply and send in resumes even though due to the nature of my industry, we specifically indicate only Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents are eligible.


So if you are looking forward to working in Singapore, read the below article on the Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (Epec) which may increase your chances of landing that job in Singapore as a Foreigner!


Check the links at the end of the entry for more information!




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More foreign grads turn to job-search scheme - The Straits Times (Dec 8 2010) By Elizabeth Soh and Amanda Tan





More applying for pass that allows stay of up to a year, say agencies


Apply for an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (Epec), which allows foreign university graduates to stay here for up to a year while looking for a job.


It is said that Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (Epec) would increase chances of finding a job, as employers see it as more credible.

Although the scheme was launched way back in 1992, it is not as widely known as other passes - such as the Employment Pass (EP) meant for professionals who earn $2,500 and more, or the S-Pass for mid-level skilled workers who are paid at least $1,800.


To be eligible for the Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (Epec), applicants must be graduates from any of the close to 700 universities on MOM's approved list, among other requirements.


Agencies observed that the scheme has become more popular in the past year - especially among foreign graduates from the less-known universities - as the MOM tightened requirements for certain work passes, such as the S-Pass.


While Epec holders typically gear for EP jobs, they sometimes also settle for the S-Pass if the company cannot pay them a higher scale.


The article said that the scheme has also attracted foreign students enrolled in private schools here. Some students from China said they were told about the Epec when they came to Singapore to enrol in private degree course.


Agencies said some foreigners also prefer to apply for an Epec because they are more likely to get an EP - instead of an S-Pass - if they manage to clinch a job here.


According to the MOM, eligible applicants are generally from the "more established" institutions and they are more "likely to qualify for an employment pass upon securing employment in Singapore".


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Find out more at:


Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (Epec)
Ministry of Manpower
Singapore Visas and Passes



You may also be interested to read the following:



Best Paying Jobs in Singapore


Friday, December 3, 2010

Integrity Under Pressure

I read something written by Zig Ziglar quite a few months back on integrity and it is still stuck in my mind. It must mean it is really good and worth sharing with you.

Finally went searching for it again and here it is. Great article on integrity under pressure

Would you have passed the test?


Here's the article....




Sunday, November 28, 2010

Investment Advice from Jim Rogers

Jim Rogers - Credit below pic


  1. Get out of the US dollar
  2. Buy commodities
  3. Invest in China

What business journalist Gabriel Chen learnt from and the insights given to him by Jim Rogers, the former business partner of hedge fund icon George Soros.


Act on your Convictions with Discipline


How Jim Rogers demonstrated that? 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

NUS NTU SMU - Which University's graduates get paid the most?

Ever wondered is there any difference among the business schools of National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU)?


Most importantly, of the three universities in Singapore, which has the highest paid fresh graduates and employment rate?






NUS Business School


SMU




NTU




After reading about



Average Monthly Pay and Salaries in Singapore




Best Paying Jobs in Singapore


Top 50 Median Monthly Gross Wages and Salaries of High Salary Occupations in Singapore




This may interest you as well..


The results of the 2009 Graduate Employment Survey:  



Monday, November 15, 2010

Supplementary Retirement Scheme - Save on Taxes through SRS

How to save on taxesLorna Tan, Senior Correspondent, shows you how with her article “Saving a little today will go a long way – Supplementary Retirement Scheme lets you save on taxes while you build your nest egg” in The Sunday Times November 14, 2010.




Key points of the Supplementary Retirement Scheme as given in the article:

  • Voluntary Programme ideal for middle- to high-income earners
  • Retirement savings with tax relief
  • Withdrawals of SRS after the statutory retirement age (at the time of contribution) comes with a 50% tax concession
  • SRS withdrawals can be spread over 10 years
  • Penalty for early withdrawals 100% of taxable + 5% penalty 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Average Monthly Pay and Salaries in Singapore

Average monthly earnings and wages in Singapore - have you ever wondered what is the amount?
Have you ever wondered how your salary and wage compare to the average Singaporean?


In addition to two of the most searched and read entries in this blog


Best Paying Jobs in Singapore


Top 50 Median Monthly Gross Wages and Salaries of High Salary Occupations in Singapore




Here is the Average Monthly Pay and Salaries in Singapore



Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Beginnings of tenCube and WaveSecure

Remember the previous entry on tenCube - Singapore's $15million company?
I was happy reading the news as it is a Singapore company and the founders came from NUS!


Find out how the founders of tenCube and WaveSecure got their beginnings as I was sent a copy of Knowledge Enterprise, a publication of National University of Singapore (NUS) to keep alumnus like me updated on what's happening in NUS.


tenCube founders from left: Mr Varun Chatterji, Mr Darius Cheung, Mr Indradeep Biswas and Mr Rishi Israni (Pic from Knowledge Enterprise)