Famous for its low taxation, affordable living expenses, and inviting climate, Singapore is often hailed as the hub of Asia and is renowned for its safety and hospitality. Many people share the dream of living and working in this city.
Fortunately, the job market in this Asian metropolis is consistently expanding, with new industries emerging, and a substantial increase in expatriates and locals establishing startups. Securing a job in Singapore is very feasible for expats, but the question remains: How does one begin this journey?
Step No. 1: Identify What Type of Worker You Are and Which Singapore Work Pass is Appropriate for You
Depending on your profile, there are different types of Singapore work visas:
Employment Pass (EP)
The EP is meant for foreign workers looking for managerial, executive or specialised positions in Singapore. The assessment of applicants for EP depends on their remuneration, qualifications, and work experience, among other factors. The EP has to be applied for the candidate either manually or via EP online by the prospective employer.
As of January 1, 2025, the minimum qualifying salary for EP applications will be raised to $5,600. This threshold is higher for the financial services sector, where applicants need to earn at least $6,200.
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
This pass is meant to encourage international talent to relocate to Singapore. The Personalised Employment Pass is approved based on the individual merits of the applicant and is not associated with any employer. It allows foreign professionals to spend up to six months in Singapore to look for new jobs without having to re-apply for the PEP when they change jobs.
However, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) needs to be informed on any changes to the employment status. From 1 September 2023, the fixed monthly salary requirement for both current Employment Pass (EP) holders and foreign professionals from overseas has been increased to S$22,500 per month.
S Pass
The S Pass is meant for mid-skilled foreign workers who wish to work in Singapore.
The minimum qualifying salary for new applications as of September 1, 2023, and for renewals from September 1, 2024, will be $3,150 (increasing progressively with age from 23, up to $4,650 for individuals aged 45 and above) for all professionals, excluding those in financial services. For professionals in financial services, the minimum qualifying salary will be $3,650 (increasing progressively with age from 23, up to $5,650 for individuals aged 45 and above).
Ordinarily, a diploma or degree qualification is also expected of the applicant for the approval of the S Pass. Like the EP, it is applied for the candidate either manually or via EP online by the prospective employer.
There are some conditions that apply to employers who hire S Pass holders. They are required to pay a Foreign Worker (FW) levy for every S Pass holder they employ. They are also expected to use the General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO) when paying the salaries of the S Pass holders they employ in the first three months following the issue of the S Pass.
Step No. 2: Look for a Job
After identifying what kind of employment pass is suitable for you, the next thing that needs to be done is to find a job for yourself. There are various ways to do this.
You may search for jobs at online job portals such as JobsDB, JobsCentral or JobStreet.
If you have any friends or family members who can provide you with referrals for jobs in Singapore, you may take advantage of that, too. Networking is known to be one of the most reliable ways to procure a job not just in Singapore but anywhere. Having a set of personal name cards will help you in your networking efforts.
In addition, you may refer to potential employers’ websites for career listings directly. You may also want to subscribe to the online edition of the Recruit section of Singapore’s The Straits Times. This is published every Saturday and contains numerous job listings for local and international job seekers.
Step No. 3: Prepare Your Resume
There are no second chances to make first impressions. Your resume will serve as your first official introduction to your prospective employer. Thus it has to look its best professionally.
There are various formats of resumes; therefore, choose one that best presents your achievements. Despite varied presentation styles, all resumes adhere to these basic rules:
- Ideally, your resume should not be longer than 2 pages, while your cover letter is typically one page long. Thus, long paragraphs should be broken down into logically arranged bullet points for concise and easy reading.
- Details of your employment history and educational qualifications should be listed in reverse chronology. Elaborate your relevant work experience with the quantifiable results and outcomes in your resume.
- Your resume must portray you as a great fit for the job. Thus, the most relevant and important traits and abilities should be mentioned at the top of the resume. Additionally, your contact information should also be indicated on the first page.
- Do not create your cover letter and resume in fancy colours. It should be written in black ink using font size 11 or above and printed on white paper, with margins that are not exceedingly narrow or wide.
- Avoid atypical font types. Arial and Times New Roman are the most commonly accepted font types for resumes. If you need to highlight portions of your resume, do so sparingly.
Once you have ensured that you have followed these basic rules, you may send your cover letter and resume, along with all supporting documents, like your educational certificates and testimonials, to your prospective employer. Most employers accept job applications via email.
Step No. 4: Prepare for the Interview
You will be informed of the outcome of your job application only if you are shortlisted for an interview, which may be scheduled anytime from 2 weeks to 3 months after applying for the job. However, if you are located overseas, you may request your prospective employer to conduct the interview via phone or video conference. Alternatively, their local office may conduct the interview too.
Most interviewers in Singapore assess candidates on their qualifications for the job, flexibility to adapt, attitude and proficiency in basic English. Some employers may even request candidates to prepare an essay or presentation. Thus, it is best that you find out what you will be evaluated on before your interview.
Step No. 5: After Securing a Job in Singapore
Once you have received notice of securing a job in Singapore, you will face one of the most important decisions of your life – to take up the job and relocate to Singapore, or not. The decision must be made after considering the details of your employment contract, which most employers in Singapore will require you to sign after accepting the job.
The employment contract is a legally binding document, and will dictate the terms of your employment, such as your remuneration, entitlement to bonuses and working hours. Therefore, you are advised to take 2 to 5 days to go through the employment contract before signing it. Only after signing your employment contract, your employer can facilitate your work visa arrangements.
Step No. 6: Approval of Work Visa Application
Once your work visa application has been approved by the MOM, your employer will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. This letter, which is valid for three months from the date of the letter, will indicate the approval of your Singapore Work Pass. The IPA letter will be required to be submitted to the Work Pass Division of MOM to collect the approved work visa from the Employment Pass Service Centre (EPSC) upon your arrival in Singapore.
Step No. 7: Moving to Singapore
This is the final step in your transition to Singapore. However, you need not handle it yourself. You can enlist the help of a relocation company to help you move to Singapore. Other issues that you may need to consider before taking the leap include housing, healthcare, banking services, and your children’s education.
Apart from its high standards of living, it is easily accessible in the region, has low crime rates and a stable political climate. Singapore’s infrastructure and healthcare system are also world-class. However, this does not mean that it is very expensive for expatriates to live in.
The main cost of household expenses in Singapore are attributed to accommodation and cars, primarily because of the nation’s limited land space. Otherwise the cost of living in Singapore is reasonable to live comfortably. The trends in the prices of the basic food items in Singapore is represented on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is displayed on the Department of Statistics Singapore website along with the country’s inflation rate.
Note to all job seekers
Please note that InCorp is not affiliated with any of the following:
- Indeed
- JobsBank (for citizens & PRs only)
If you are a foreign individual looking to set up your own company in Singapore, you can view the company incorporation options here.