Singapore job

[ginseng 0]

After over a year of researching job opportunities in LOS and coming up empty, I've decided to apply for a job in Singapore, there's of course no guarantee I’ll even hear back from them but I’d like some opinions in the event they do and are able to make me a lucrative offer. Singapore is not my dream location but it is within weekend flying distance to LOS, and my understanding is it’s easy to get visa’s for your lovely teerak’s to visit you. I’m sure Singapore is no duller than where I live now and regardless it’s a helluva lot closer to LOS.

 

My current situation is; my job is very tolerable, I have a good boss, benefits, 401K company match and generally a relaxed working environment. Perhaps the salary could be higher, but given the other positive benefits I think the salary is quite reasonable and there is room for advancement. If anyone really wants to know details about my salary PM me and I’ll gladly tell you. The major problem is I hate where I live. Like many I want to live in Thailand but short of retirement or sacrificing my career I haven’t found a logical way to do that. The wild card is there is a chance my job could become 100% remote and done over the internet. I’d like to elaborate on this a little. Recently I went to my boss and we discussed if my job could be made 100% remote. We are currently testing out a new system and I am a key player in this process. He explained I am very valuable to the company so he is willing to seriously consider it, but due to the newness of our system and uncertainties what is involved to maintain it he can’t give me an answer until the end of the year. This in my opinion was a very reasonable reply, however the year may end and he’ll have to say it’s impossible or powers beyond his control will prevent it. That said the idea of telecommuting into my present job from Thailand is very favorable and there is virtually no job opportunity which could trump this.

 

Back to the job in Singapore, I figured it can’t hurt to apply and see where I stand over there but then I realized I don’t know what I’d do if I actually got an offer. Since I’d then have some leverage should I go back to my boss and say I need a definite answer about the telecommuting? If he thought it was just a matter of time before I could go, I’d be willing to stay til the end of the year if I had a promise of remote, but could I trust a promise so many months out and possibly lose a ticket to living near LOS? What if he simply cannot make a decision now as he said before. Should I try to negotiate something aside from 100% remote with my current employer? I'd prefer to live in LOS but increasing my time over there, maybe telecommuting to a lesser extent would be a reasonably satisfying option. They’ve never done me wrong and I have no desire to screw them, I just hate living here, I don’t want to burn any bridges. Also in spite of Singapore being close do you think it’s not as easy to hop over to LOS as I am thinking?

Edited August 9, 2006 by ginseng

[too_mutt 10]

I think you may be able to find employment in Singapore, but a reduced wages in most cases.

 

Regards

[ginseng 0]

I think you may be able to find employment in Singapore, but a reduced wages in most cases.

 

Regards

Why? Singapore has one of the strongest GDP's in the world. I'm not very familiar with the labor market over there so there could be many factors I'm unaware of. Do you speak from experience? BTW the job is a finance job.

Edited August 9, 2006 by ginseng

[Saddic 31]

Ginseng,

 

From this and your other posts... sounds like you got it bad...

 

Have you ever been to Singapore? Do you speak Chinese/Mandarin? Do you like the working conditions that exist there? Have you done the cost of living exercise?

 

And on a different note, if the job could be done remotely, why haven't they outsourced it to somewhere cheaper (like India or China?)

 

Bottomline, have you done your homework?

 

BTW: I really feel for you man, as I am real close to the point where I can't stand my job anymore either and the lure of LOS is really calling to me right now... while not in exactly the same situation as you... I'm trying to determine if I have make critical mass and can do the big move

 

Cheers

[BigDUSA 71]

I've been to S'pore a few times. IMHO very livable city with a lot of good looking women. I enjoyed the nite life and P4P scene. English is widely spoken.

Edited August 9, 2006 by BigDUSA

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

I know lots of people who have worked there. Most say its a very cut throat environment but as you say you could get to LOS for weekends on a regular basis. I'd take a job there if I could make enough to make regulat trips tp LOS. Pay is good there by the way.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

And on a different note, if the job could be done remotely, why haven't they outsourced it to somewhere cheaper (like India or China?)

 

Exactly ......... why would anyone pay a US/Euro ex-pat package if they can get an Indian to do precisely the same job just as well for half the price?

 

Singapore/HKG etc offer great ex-pat packages but only if you have a unique skill that can't be sourced more cheaply.

[ginseng 0]

Thanks for the responses. I encourage everyone to try to poke as many holes in this plan as they can. I don't want to make any stupid decisions and end up worse off.

 

As far as the language part, while Chinese is the main language it's my understanding you can get by quite well knowing just English, it's widely spoken and many would probably like the chance to improve theirs. No I haven't been to Singapore and I realize it's rather insane to think about moving somewhere without even visiting, but I don't really care how boring it is, as long as I can hop over to LOS regularly. I've worked in finance all my adult life, I've dealt with all kinds of jerks, rat racers, ladder climbers, button down pricks and cut throat people. I'm sure there are differences in Singapore but I doubt they are more aggresive than a New York floor trader and I've dealt with them plenty. My job is technology based, what I mean is I work on a computer all day, not with people so it could be done anywhere. There is a lot of proprietary knowledge I have that is particular to my current place of employment, it couldn't be outsourced to someone without experience, and I couldn't be replaced quickly, though obviously I could be replaced if it was essential. That's just for my particular job, on the grander scale I know all the technology and finance required to administer the back office systems most money managers use however I was surprised to see a job nearly identical to my current one on a Singapore job site, which is why I decided might as well give it a shot. This was the closest match to my present job I've seen anywhere in the world actually. Maybe I'm lucky that the outsourcing countries haven't mastered this synergy yet so I'm still in demand. I just finished talking to a Thai friend, she said she's been to Singapore many times and a visa is definitely no problem. She mentioned especially after Thaksin just landed that big deal. His fellow Thai's might hate him but the Singapore gov't is on very good terms with Thailand.

Edited August 9, 2006 by ginseng

[Owen` 2]

Spent a lot of time in Singapore over the years. A bit of background:

 

Singapore is and has been for about 30 years the dominant power of the region both financially and militarily. They take very seriously the military threat unfolding in islamic Indonesia. All of their military strategic planning is strictly offensive. They have reasoned, rightly, that they cannot defend such a small territory so they will fight all wars on the enemy's territory. Or rather, over it. Singapore funds very high quality Air Force with F-16 avionic block versions far superior to Thailand's.

 

Singapore is hot and humid. It is cheaper than the US, but it is much more expensive than Thailand. The language is largely English. The streets, schools and most all else is modeled on what the Brits gave them when they controlled the place. The city is clean, more modern than many US cities and you can have high speed internet anywhere you want it.

 

Hops to LOS on Air Asia (like a Southwest clone) are cheap and easy. With the new airport going in, you'll be that much closer to Pattaya.

 

All in all, given the income possible in Singapore vs Thailand, this can work. As for your overall perspective of hating where you live, I think you're going to find that anywhere you happen to be, you're indoors working most of weekdays and therefore it doesn't matter where you live on those days. Weekends . . . there is Air Asia.

Edited August 9, 2006 by Owen`

[BigDUSA 71]

BTW you can drink the tap water in S'pore.

[Rex7777 0]

Consider this: what happens if you quit your current job to take a job in Singapore, but the Singapore thing doesn't work out for some reason. Then what?

 

Rex

[ginseng 0]

Thanks so much guys. Singapore really does seem like a viable option. Owen you'll like this. I have a basic net profit formula for anywhere I live. All you have to do is Take net income - Cost of living. USA probably has the highest salary of anywhere I'll live but cost of living is also the highest and takes out at least half for me, sometimes more. Thailand has the lowest COL but net income is also the lowest, in fact in spite of the lowest COL the average salary will still leave you with the least net profit. Singapore seems to have a reasonable differential. A lower salary than USA, but also lower cost of living. From my calculations I'd end up with the same money if I got the salary I expect in Singapore. Also my time in LOS will go way up and cost of getting there way down. Right now trips to Thailand are my major expense.

 

Like I've said even if I hate living in Singapore, the frequent trips to LOS and having my teerak's occasionally come visit me should make up for that.

 

The jury is still out on this one and most likely I won't even get taken seriously for a job since I live so far, but I'm eager to learn all I can in case I make the move next year and give it a serious go.

 

Rex, I'm trying hard not to burn any bridges, it's a very real possibility the thing in Singapore could flop. However if I absolutely had to I could come back to the USA with my tail between my legs and get a new job. I don't want to take too much risk with my life and career, but I'm willing to take some for a shot at happiness.

Edited August 9, 2006 by ginseng

[BigDUSA 71]

Why not try for a leave of absence? Be up front with your boss and see how it goes. I hope this works out and your able to make the move. S'pore is a fun safe town and close to Bintin. Cheap pussy a lot closer then LOS.

 

I'm looking forward to the day and it's not that far in the future when we make the move to LOS.

[RWB 0]

One thing I have not seen is, actually a couple, health insurance, and retirement. I know you are still young and so may not even have SS when you're 100 or whatever age "they" set for collecting but SS is still a consideration. What about retirement income? Although it may not always seem possible, you might actually live to a ripe old age and retire, or want to retire. Health insurance IMO is a necessity. Will you have to pay for it or will it be part of a retirement package? What kind of benefits package does the Singapore company have compared to your present job? Just a few items to consider.

 

One way or the other, I wish you success.

[ginseng 0]

I have been upfront with my boss. His reply was he understood how I felt, but the needs of the company are that I wait until year end for a definite answer for my request. The response may involve 100% telecommuting, possible leave of abscense or telecommuting to a lesser degree. It also may be in spite of his understanding, I must decide to quit or accept my job and vacation time as it is. For that I must wait and see.

 

I applied to this job preemptively because I hadn't seen my exact job offered anywhere before and was unsure when if ever I'd see it again. I want to gauge if I can attract the companies attention and what the renumeration package looks like. Health insurance and other benefits will be weighed very heavily towards what path I pick. If I don't hear back from them I'll just sit tight, if I do hear back and the renumeration is not acceptable I'll also sit tight, but if it's attractive I'm honestly not sure what I'll do but it does seem I'll have a bargaining chip to assure my company takes my desire to spend more time in LOS seriously. How to best use that chip should it become available is still open to debate.

 

BigD what is Bintin?

Edited August 9, 2006 by ginseng

[BigDUSA 71]

Island off the coast of Indonesia where guys go to party with good looking women. Short ferry ride. I spelled it wrong, it's Bintan. Do a search on here Hilly went about a year or so ago.

Edited August 9, 2006 by BigDUSA

[soi6 0]

 

Batam Forum

 

 

click above for the Isle of Indonesia/Singapore....Batam..

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I would do it just for the experience if I could. Don't do it just to be close to Pattaya. To live and work in Singapore? Go for it. How many opportunities come up like that?

[Owen` 2]

A few other thoughts:

 

1) I don't know if you are an investor, but if so it may help your frame of mind to understand that years like this one have often been called more frustrating than booms or crashes. Going sideways chews up the calendar and you make jack and the days pass and you make jack and the frustration extends into the rest of your life. If this is in play for you, be on your guard that your frame of thought is not normal because of it.

 

2) If you're young, a stint in Asian banking could be very good for your career -- and there may be some unexpected benefit of maybe an advanced degree in Singapore paid for by and employer. That could prove to be a big deal as Asia continues to grow and becomes more and more important. Hell, your current employer might find some extra benefit to you being there. They may be able to avoid hiring a local rep for something and you could pick up some extra money as a result.

 

3) I don't think you're evaluating this right. If you hate California and you want to be in Thailand and the best you can manage is Singapore, it's not like you managed to get half of what you wanted. You got 80% of what you wanted and you are a 1.5 hr plane ride to the new BKK airport.

[ginseng 0]

Owen,

 

I am a very conservative investor, I read your other thread about mutual funds under performing the market and agree yet I do put most of my money in them. Also some ETFs and index funds. I don't like to play the market, I don't like gambling with money I can't afford to lose.

 

The gamble for me is that I may be able to have my current job remotely. That would be extremely ideal. There's really nothing to lose by taking a wait and see approach except that I am unhappy here. If I was certain remote was NOT going to be possible I'd be applying for jobs in SEA left and right, given there is the chance for this dream setup, I only feel inclined to put my toe in the water so to speak. I do agree with you Singapore is not just 2 times better than living here, it would probably be ten times better. The main thing that really makes me want to live right in Thailand is I am very passionate about learnnig the language, while I'd have even more oppurtunities to practice living so close, nothing could compare to being right in Thailand full time.

Edited August 10, 2006 by ginseng

[BigDUSA 71]

I would do it just for the experience if I could. Don't do it just to be close to Pattaya. To live and work in Singapore? Go for it. How many opportunities come up like that?

Very frequently but many guys go thru life looking down at there shoes and never see what's available. Opportunity doesn't just knock on your door. It pounds on it. Guy just has to listen and be willing to weigh the risk and then go for it.

 

Personally I'd be applying for every job opening in my field and see what shakes out. Unfortunately for me there are few jobs in my chosen profession, mattress tester.

Edited August 10, 2006 by BigDUSA

[bizzjet 0]

There's one element everyone seems to be overlooking.

 

In my experiences in Singapore I noticed that I didn't see too many foreigners in higher corporate positions. In fact rarely do I see any Farangs in positions higher than lower management. Sorry but it’s my observation. After spending a great deal of time at Singapore Airlines on projects I don’t remember seeing any Farangs come to think of it.

 

The only place I saw Farangs in significant positions was at international corporations with satellite offices in Singapore. Singapore is a highly protectionist society.

 

So if you’re planning on working there be prepared to stay at the same position you enter at and possibly stagnate into oblivion. And learn to accept you’ll never be number one.

 

Before you disbelieve me, look up the who's who of the company you're considering on the net and see who the heads are.

 

Have you considered this angle?

[BigDUSA 71]

bizzjet,

 

Good point. I wonder what the career progression expat expect when they take an overseas position with a new company? Do they take this for a short term and add it to their resume or are they looking for a different life style with a major effort placed on the pursuit of pussy?

[ginseng 0]

or are they looking for a different life style with a major effort placed on the pursuit of pussy?

Yea that about sums it up, however part of that pursuit is making as much money as I can so many factors much be considered.

[kdc1899 1]

Yea that about sums it up, however part of that pursuit is making as much money as I can so many factors much be considered.

I've been here 40 days. I am truly getting tired of the groundhog day effect.

Move to a Mexican border state (U.S.) and go to Mexico on the weekends for cheap pussy.

Edited August 11, 2006 by kdc1899