Need advice on Singapore
#1
Need advice on Singapore
I have recently been approached by a recruitment agency from Singapore who are interested in my I.T. skills.
I have only ever done a short visit to Singapore but liked the look of it.
Can any ex-pats tell me how they find living and working there?
What is the work-culture like?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
I have only ever done a short visit to Singapore but liked the look of it.
Can any ex-pats tell me how they find living and working there?
What is the work-culture like?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: Need advice on Singapore
Plenty of threads on this type of question.
Have you worked overseas before, if so where?
Have you worked overseas before, if so where?
#3
Re: Need advice on Singapore
I have recently been approached by a recruitment agency from Singapore who are interested in my I.T. skills.
I have only ever done a short visit to Singapore but liked the look of it.
Can any ex-pats tell me how they find living and working there?
What is the work-culture like?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
I have only ever done a short visit to Singapore but liked the look of it.
Can any ex-pats tell me how they find living and working there?
What is the work-culture like?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
the main downsides are the climate and the locals can be a bit robotic
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: Need advice on Singapore
Singapore is probably as easy an initiation to ex pat life as there is imo.
'Downside to climate may be that heat 32c during day 25c at night, my averages, and high humidity make walking outside a sweaty operation unless like me but unlike many ex pats you really acclimatise by just using fans and not a/cs. But if you've visited then you should know that.
Heavy rain and flooding recently, unheard of for 25 years or so.
Education here will give your children a jump start as it is better than UK according to friends who teach.
The work ethic is ... well... different.
When I was working here I put in longer hours than UK but found I was rewarded for it.
Many locals put in long hours because the boss is still around and aren't productive during that period.
Don't know if that is the case in IT.
In fact unless you are in a high managerial position I'm surprised you have been tickled for a job here as I thought that was an area where the locals would have an edge especially as they wouldn't necessarily get all the frills of an ex pats salary and accommodation package.
There's a lot included in ex pat salary packages.
Make sure you get the norm.
'Downside to climate may be that heat 32c during day 25c at night, my averages, and high humidity make walking outside a sweaty operation unless like me but unlike many ex pats you really acclimatise by just using fans and not a/cs. But if you've visited then you should know that.
Heavy rain and flooding recently, unheard of for 25 years or so.
Education here will give your children a jump start as it is better than UK according to friends who teach.
The work ethic is ... well... different.
When I was working here I put in longer hours than UK but found I was rewarded for it.
Many locals put in long hours because the boss is still around and aren't productive during that period.
Don't know if that is the case in IT.
In fact unless you are in a high managerial position I'm surprised you have been tickled for a job here as I thought that was an area where the locals would have an edge especially as they wouldn't necessarily get all the frills of an ex pats salary and accommodation package.
There's a lot included in ex pat salary packages.
Make sure you get the norm.
#7
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: Need advice on Singapore
My husband worked in IT (technical sales, enterprise software, well-known MNCs) and worked pretty damn hard. Spent a lot of time out of the country too.
Liked it, did six years of it, but prefers the work culture in Oz - still works very hard but enjoys it much more as people get his crappy humour.
We were always local hire but couldn't grumble about the salary (or tax).
Liked it, did six years of it, but prefers the work culture in Oz - still works very hard but enjoys it much more as people get his crappy humour.
We were always local hire but couldn't grumble about the salary (or tax).
#8
Re: Need advice on Singapore
Singapore is probably as easy an initiation to ex pat life as there is imo.
'Downside to climate may be that heat 32c during day 25c at night, my averages, and high humidity make walking outside a sweaty operation unless like me but unlike many ex pats you really acclimatise by just using fans and not a/cs. But if you've visited then you should know that.
In fact unless you are in a high managerial position I'm surprised you have been tickled for a job here as I thought that was an area where the locals would have an edge especially as they wouldn't necessarily get all the frills of an ex pats salary and accommodation package.
There's a lot included in ex pat salary packages.
Make sure you get the norm.
'Downside to climate may be that heat 32c during day 25c at night, my averages, and high humidity make walking outside a sweaty operation unless like me but unlike many ex pats you really acclimatise by just using fans and not a/cs. But if you've visited then you should know that.
In fact unless you are in a high managerial position I'm surprised you have been tickled for a job here as I thought that was an area where the locals would have an edge especially as they wouldn't necessarily get all the frills of an ex pats salary and accommodation package.
There's a lot included in ex pat salary packages.
Make sure you get the norm.
Yes I am aware it is hot and sweaty but as you are aware a short term visit is a lot different to living and working there. My wife who lived there for a couple of years as a teenager assures you me that one does adjust.
As for your comment about being ticked for a job here...I wouldn't know the reasons for that. I am not senior management but I do have programming skills that are becoming rare so perhaps that is the reason.
#9
Re: Need advice on Singapore
My husband worked in IT (technical sales, enterprise software, well-known MNCs) and worked pretty damn hard. Spent a lot of time out of the country too.
Liked it, did six years of it, but prefers the work culture in Oz - still works very hard but enjoys it much more as people get his crappy humour.
We were always local hire but couldn't grumble about the salary (or tax).
Liked it, did six years of it, but prefers the work culture in Oz - still works very hard but enjoys it much more as people get his crappy humour.
We were always local hire but couldn't grumble about the salary (or tax).
#10
Re: Need advice on Singapore
Hi there,
Grew up in Singapore and still visit regularly. It's still home to me after all these years There's a very big expat community (which can sometimes be cliquey but that's inevitable anywhere I guess). Low crime rates, excellent public infrastructure, medical treatment and Singaporean schools are better than the British ones if kids are in the picture at all.
Cons - it can be expensive for an expat, it is a very sterile society, and forget criticism of the government. The country still operates a single party democracy (People's Action Party), if such a thing is possible! Lee Kwan Yew ruled for what feels like forever, and his son is now in charge. This is something that my mum still struggles with (one of her friends got sent to jail for writing a play that was deemed critical of the PAP but wasn't at all!). Very hard to debate politics etc.
But Singaporeans are on the whole fine with this type of government and why not - the country is clean, prosperous in spite of the recession and imo a lovely place to live. Malaysia very easy to reach (and cheap by train too), and loads of opportunities to travel round the Far East very easily. You'll acclimatise to the temperature pretty quickly.
And the food! oh I miss the hawker centres
I'm jealous that you've got the opportunity to go, very good luck with whatever you decide
Grew up in Singapore and still visit regularly. It's still home to me after all these years There's a very big expat community (which can sometimes be cliquey but that's inevitable anywhere I guess). Low crime rates, excellent public infrastructure, medical treatment and Singaporean schools are better than the British ones if kids are in the picture at all.
Cons - it can be expensive for an expat, it is a very sterile society, and forget criticism of the government. The country still operates a single party democracy (People's Action Party), if such a thing is possible! Lee Kwan Yew ruled for what feels like forever, and his son is now in charge. This is something that my mum still struggles with (one of her friends got sent to jail for writing a play that was deemed critical of the PAP but wasn't at all!). Very hard to debate politics etc.
But Singaporeans are on the whole fine with this type of government and why not - the country is clean, prosperous in spite of the recession and imo a lovely place to live. Malaysia very easy to reach (and cheap by train too), and loads of opportunities to travel round the Far East very easily. You'll acclimatise to the temperature pretty quickly.
And the food! oh I miss the hawker centres
I'm jealous that you've got the opportunity to go, very good luck with whatever you decide
Last edited by londonescapee; Jul 25th 2010 at 10:32 pm.
#11
Re: Need advice on Singapore
Many people never really adapt to the climate. it can be physically draining.
We only use the AC at home when sleeping. the rest of the time we use fans
the heat/humidity nearly kill me every time I play hockey but thats my own stupid fault for being a goalkeeper.
From what I here education here is good if you can afford International schools. If you kids go to local school they will excel at maths and science but nothing else.
We only use the AC at home when sleeping. the rest of the time we use fans
the heat/humidity nearly kill me every time I play hockey but thats my own stupid fault for being a goalkeeper.
From what I here education here is good if you can afford International schools. If you kids go to local school they will excel at maths and science but nothing else.
#13
Banned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
Re: Need advice on Singapore
Hi
I've recently been offered a job in Singapore (Banking) and I'd like some advice (from people who live there!) on the good places to live and schools for my two children. My kids are aged 12 and 15. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Flinty.
I've recently been offered a job in Singapore (Banking) and I'd like some advice (from people who live there!) on the good places to live and schools for my two children. My kids are aged 12 and 15. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Flinty.
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: Need advice on Singapore
First decide on where your kids will go to school.
Everything will follow from that.
imo.
Everything will follow from that.
imo.
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 46
Re: Need advice on Singapore
To the original request re S'pore as a place to live.
So long as your package is decent living is very good.. Membership of a club can make a focal point of leisure and social life. Tanglin Club is excellent for families and very conveniently situated. If you are a cricketer look at the Cricket Club and there are many more.
Climate needs some adjustment to, not so much because of the temps, but rather the HIGH humidity.When I played hockey for the SCC I used to lose 7-8 lbs a game in liquids (put it back in the bar after the match). Jumping in and out of air-conditioning can be debilitating.
Wives either adjust, or don't! It helps if you like the excellent range of foods available and don't try to eat 100% western. As I say wives can have a great life, but for some, they can't make the adjustment. Same as anywhere as I have seem British women in the New York area pine for home and return. Takes all types.