I get a lot of DMs from people who want to move abroad to Singapore, but don’t find success when applying to jobs online.
Of course you wouldn’t. Why would a company hire a random person who isn’t even based in Singapore yet?
On top of that, there’s probably a boat load of other applicants who are vying for the same position, even locals who are just as qualified and have the right experiences. Not to be blunt, but what value or reason would they hire you over a local?
How do you increase your chances and differentiate yourself then? I’ll share tips below.
How Do You Provide Value to Singapore
Where does Singapore need support in terms of talent?
HR Asia released an article that shares where Singapore needs more support in terms of hiring talent. “The list reflects an array of professions across Singapore’s several strategic sectors: food, healthcare, green economy, and technology, with very specific roles in the maritime sector and financial services specifically catering to the very wealthy, who have descended on the city-state in recent years.”
Some industries that need more talent include, but not limited to:
- agritech (food scientist, novel food biotechnologist)
- financial services
- green economy (carbon project manager, carbon analyst, carbon trader, carbon programme manager)
- healthcare (registered nurses, occupational therapist, radiographer)
- infocom technology (data scientist, cybersecurity engineer, penetration testing specialist, blockchain architect, developer, etc)
- maritime (marine superintendent, marine and vessel manager)
- semiconductor (microchip, integrated circuit designer, product engineer, test engineer)
Should I Visit to Singapore for a Networking Trip?
If applying from your home country doesn’t work, another extreme but interesting strategy is going to Singapore on a tourist visa; this may be your best bet if you are able to do this. This is if you have the monetary resources, the time, and the strategy. All of this is a huge privilege to be able to do this, and it’s not always guaranteed.
How to Maximize Your Time in Singapore
1. Book a time frame of when you’ll be in Singapore and strategically plan every day as much as possible to the tee. If you want this badly, you’ll be spending the next weeks in Singapore networking, speaking to different people who could help connect you to a role, and start building good relationships in the ecosystem. To be honest, the best way to find a job sometimes is just through your network to help you open a door and trust is really important in Singapore. Good places to begin are through alumni groups, cultural groups, or anyone who has some relation or shares similar interests or background. Those who feel similar or connected to you are usually more willing to help out.
2. I would ask everyone in my network to connect me to someone they know in the country, whether it’s for social, networking, or career contacts, I’d get connected to as many people as I could. Singapore in general is small—people have connections everywhere and you’re bound to get connected to someone who can help. If anyone can speak to your work ethic or credibility, that’s even better. I would also mention any certain projects, apps, prestigious decrees, accolades, or things that are impressive that you worked on since that’ll make you a more interesting and dynamic candidate.
3. I would join groups that are based in Singapore, that align with my interests or my career. For example, if I was a product manager, I’d join all the PM communities in Singapore and start connecting with folks on LinkedIn. This may take form in cold emailing; I’d also try to schedule coffee chats with them while I’m visiting and sharing your interests in working for x y z companies in Singapore. Also, please pay for their coffees. People who come to share their thoughts and experiences are taking time out of their day to meet you. I feel like it’s just good manners.
4. I would figure out my compelling advantage as part of the talent pool in Singapore. Since Singapore now requires you to make at least 5,000 SGD to be considered for the employment pass, you need to show that you’re a certain specialist, manager, or executive that is going to add great value to Singapore’s workforce. With Singapore being one of the best places to work in Asia, you can guarantee that the job competition is fierce and they have more talent than needed. Understanding your competitive advantage and how you will contribute to Singapore’s workforce will be helpful.
Why would they hire you specifically when there’s so many other great international hires and smart locals?
Singapore is also the ideal springboard to the wider ASEAN market, which is projected to become the 4th largest economy in the world by 2030.
Singapore BUSINESS REVIEW
How to Find People to Meet in Singapore
FIND YOUR IN – There are different meetups groups, networks, and organizations you can tap into before heading there. I would even try cold e-mailing folks on LinkedIn to start penetrating the professional circles of Singapore. There are groups on meetup.com, Singapore Global Network, and online tech groups you can join. Look at hiring events or networking events that are happening around Singapore, and do not stay in your bubble. This is the best time to explore and meet people outside your comfort bubble. A couple interesting communities like SuperMomos or Singapore Global Network has events you can attend for free.
Other websites you can look for events through:
LUMA Singapore – mostly tech and social events that young people like to peruse through (mostly 20-30s who work in tech, VC, and more)
SGInnovate – for the deeptech folks who are interested in Singapore; SGInnovate is one of the fastest-growing Deep Tech communities out there and are usually looking for overseas talents
Eventbrite Singapore – ranging from social, cultural, heritage, tech, and more. Eventbrite has a compilation of events you can dig through to see what matches your interests, especially since there’s many focused on careers and growth
Singapore Global Network – a government agency meant to connect overseas Singaporeans, friends, fans, and family to Singapore; there’s usually a bunch of great events hosted on the platform which you can check out
How to Keep up with the Startup & VC Scene in Singapore
There’s also a great newsletter you can use for news to learn about Southeast Asian news. It’s called Backscoop News, which focuses on Everything SEA tech.
You can also check out these tech websites that plug you into Singapore and beyond. It’ll share info about relevant startups, companies, and happenings in the citystate:
Tech in Asia, connecting Asia’s ecosystem
I’d also recommend you follow my YouTube channel, where I will share how to work and live in Asia. Not all of it is Singapore, but some other countries may pique your interest.
