Oxo1

i’m sure you get annoyed with getting asked this but i went on holiday and would now like to live in singapore. i need to know some things, what money should i be asking for, what is the lower limit of the amount i need to earn? will be renting an apartment, shopping...that sort of think.

i'm a qualified chemical eng. (4yr degree) with three years of experience in fine chemicals. i'm also a qualified labtech (3yr diploma).

thank you very much in advance to anyone who helps.

Kooky.

Yes we do but we still try to help.

First things first, have you researched your industry in Singapore and also do you have anything special that employers can't find in the Singapore workforce? They have to justify you to the Ministry of Manpower. Have you researched visas? EPs and PEPs

www.mom.gov.sg is a good place to start.

http://www.hays.com.sg/salary/default.aspx will help with salaries.

What you need to earn to live on will depend on your circumstances - single, couple, family, going over to live with somebody you met? If single, prepared to flat-share? etc. Give us some more clues.

Living in Singapore is different from holidaying there - oh who am I kidding, it's like being on holiday all the time. We did six years there and had a blast.

ex reg

I know what you mean.

But when working you've really got to not have that attitude.
I've employed many many blokes from the UK and some have had that attitude.
They didn't stay long.

My take on it is that you will probably have a higher position in Singapore than before you came, you will be earning more and living better.
Make the most of your time working here because if/when you return home you'll have skills and experience you most likely wouldn't have had if you'd've stayed home.

Of course the old saw 'work hard, play hard' comes to mind but make sure you have them in the right order.

Mind you that's an old fogy's attitude.
But I'm an old fogy.

Aah, just seen the OP's Australian. Forget all I've said. He'll be down the pub every lunchtime and evening whatever.

Oxo1

i've not really researched anything about visas so will do that tomorrow. i'll start thinking about specialisations but its difficult to think of anything right at the moment. both nothing and everything i do are specialisations in a way but my profession is usually in some demand luckily =0.0=.

i'm single but would prefer to live on my own if possible. can be a shoebox as i tend to work all hours so im not home much except for sleep. thanks heaps guys!

Kooky.

And living at Costa Rhu

Hell I'm an old fogey too. 48 yesterday (and spending it in Bali).

I was initially a trailing spouse - mainly because I couldn't get work - so every day was a holiday for me! Even when I was volunteering, and eventually working, there was one hell of a party going on. The Geek didn't have much time to party as he was out of the country 75% of the time but I think the outdoor lifestyle and the easy access to other parts of SEA is priceless. Miss that aspect, TBH, but still have a lot of Oz to explore.

Kooky.

Oh hello, there you are

Enlighten me as to what fine chemicals are, Oxo1. I know a few lab rats but they're in pharma; I don't have a scientific bone in my body so haven't a clue what you do.

Oxo1

i resemble that remark.

don't worry ill be on the straight and narrow when it comes to work. i just want to make sure i can live a decent quality of life really. afford apartment, maybe some teabags and digestives in the cupboard.

the way you would describe the working environment there? i find ozzys very laid back...so laid back they are almost horizontal but then i wouldn't want to work for that shouty english chef bloke on the telly either if you know what i mean.

Oxo1

wiki explains it well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_chemicals
they are chemicals made to a very exacting standard and high purity for a variety of uses. most of what i make currently are seperated components of petrochemicals depending on what people need.

Kooky.

OK I'm going to suggest you register on www.singaporum.com and ask about job prospects there. There's a pharma boffin on there and also somebody with a background in oil and gas and links to recruitment of engineers; I'll make sure they're nice to you.

Oxo1

thanx pet

will post my question up on that site