Finding a job in a different country

As a headhunter, I receive many messages on LinkedIn from people who want to relocate and work in Singapore. They often send me their CVs and want to chat with me.?

While I do want to be helpful, I’m not able to answer every message and have a call with everyone.?I hope this short article can guide highly motivated jobhunters.

Context and Background

Singapore is one of the most attractive international cities in the world. It has one of the world’s highest GDP per capita (No. 2 by PPP, No. 5 by Nominal) and it is one of the most competitive countries in the world.?It is safe, clean, and rule-based.

The local workforce is around 2.5 million and the foreign workforce is 1.49 million. The foreign workforce number is 773,500 if you exclude the migrant domestic worker (MDW) and construction, marine shipyard and process (CMP) sectors.?There are close to 4 million people in the workforce, for a total population of 5.92 million.?

In a highly competitive economy, there is always a high demand for the right talents in specific sectors.

Many people want to move to Singapore and it is not an easy process. The country is also one of the most expensive countries for foreigners.

Important Fact: Getting an Employment Pass is Not Easy

Like many highly developed countries, governments set rules and policies for foreigners to work in the country. Singapore is no different. Despite the manpower shortage in the country, it is not easy to get a work visa. Priority for employment will always be given to Singapore residents.

The Singapore government has made the Employment Pass (EP) application process transparent. The qualification bar is high, similar to many highly developed countries. Exemptions are made for certain professions.

You can learn more here: Eligibility for Employment Pass

A Simple Game Plan

Despite the challenge, here is a simple game plan that I suggest to people who are determined to relocate to Singapore for work.?

Action #1: Start with Networking

Your first action is to expand your network and establish your credibility in Singapore. The adage “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” plays a big part in your jobhunting process.?

Singapore is a highly connected society. People are often happy to meet for coffee and are open to making referrals.?

1. Make a 12-month plan to travel to Singapore regularly. I recommend coming to Singapore for one week or more every quarter. If you can come more regularly, that is even better. Of course, this approach requires some investment of time and money for you.?
2. Book coffee meetings in advance. Meet people who are already in your network. Ask for referrals. Be specific on the sectors that you want to expand your network. Remember to allocate some time and space for serendipity as well.?
3. Join a Chamber of Commerce that is relevant to you. The chambers often organize regular events that allow you to meet many people at the same time.?

Hot Tip: Ask for coffee, don't send CVs

When you are building your network in another country, focus on getting to know people or for people to know you. Don't send a CV and ask for a job in your first message. The very direct approach can be perceived as a "CV spam", similar to what many online marketers do when they promote a service. It does not provoke curiosity or invite a conversation. A face-to-face meeting over coffee allows rapport building and helps people to trust you.

Important Fact: Don't focus too much on Headhunters

While you may think that headhunters can introduce you to a job, most open positions these days do not go to headhunters.?

Hiring managers mainly rely on their referral network. Next, they will ask the internal talent acquisition teams to perform the recruitment. LinkedIn has enabled every company to put up job ads. Large MNCs also engaged Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) firms to expand their talent acquisition capabilities.?

I estimate that 80% of recruitments are not carried out by headhunters. Headhunters are involved when the situation is complex, challenging, and confidential.?

Therefore, focus your networking on your ex-colleagues, customers, and suppliers. Expand to include potential hiring managers and senior executives.?

People who already know your track record and trust you are most valuable to you.

Action #2: Build your Story and Develop Elevator Pitches

Why do you want to move to Singapore? What is attractive to you? What can you bring to the table? What areas can you contribute? What do you want to learn and develop??

Reflecting on your network: Who do you already know in Singapore? Who else do you want to meet??

If you do not yet have an elevator pitch, prepare a one-minute version and a three-minute version.?I also recommend having different versions of the pitch if you are exploring different sectors.

You may have experience in Consumer Goods, Technology, and Finance. Prepare a good pitch for each of these sectors.?

The same goes for the type of job functions. If you have developed your career in sales, marketing, and operations, weave your story together and prepare your elevator pitches accordingly.

Action #3: Follow-up Regularly

Modern salespeople use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool to manage their sales contacts and activities.

As Jobhunting is like Selling, modern jobhunters should use a CRM-equivalent tool to track people they have met (or want to meet) and follow up accordingly.

After you make your first trip, stay in touch with people that you met. Let them know that you are coming again in the next few months. Share with them what is happening in your work and life. Remind them of your intention and plans to relocate.?

If you do not yet have the habit of posting regularly on LinkedIn, consider your future posts as a way of keeping others updated on your work and life.

Your LinkedIn posts can be great conversation starters when you meet the same people again.

Conclusion

Finding a job is not easy. Moving to another country is not easy. When you put both tasks together, the challenge level goes up. Have the patience to take one step at a time. Review your efforts and calibrate accordingly.

I have seen many people successfully relocate to Singapore or another country. I believe that with enough focus and effort, you can make it happen too!

Feel free to write to me about your relocation experience and share your comments in the article.