Step-by-Step Guide to getting a job in the IT/Software field in Singapore
As you know, Singapore is one of the world's IT hubs. We can refer to Singapore as Silicon Valley in Asia. Multinational companies (MNC) such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, and TikTok have development centres in Singapore. Aside from that, numerous local and global IT firms have development centres in Singapore. As a result, the number of IT/software jobs in Singapore is relatively high.
If you are a foreigner, you may be interested in working in a tech company in Singapore. The good news is that if you are a highly qualified engineer with the necessary skills and qualifications, you may be able to find a good job in Singapore.
About me: I am a software guy who has been living and working in Singapore for about five years. I am from Sri Lanka and presently work under an EP in Singapore.
Disclaimer: Based on my own experience, I wrote this article. I urge you to do your research before making any crucial decisions. Also, please chat with your friends in Singapore and learn about their job-hunting experiences.
Step 01: Get to know about Singapore
Get to know Singapore's culture, dos and don'ts, basic rules, regulations, and so on. Also, learn about the cost of living in Singapore, several kinds of work passes (VISA), and salary ranges for software professionals.
My previous articles may help you with your research.
Also, you can refer to the "levels.fyi" website to understand salary ranges in Singapore.
Here is a Guide for Foreign Workers from the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MoM). You can consider reading it later.
Understand the work passes in Singapore
Step 02: Start to prepare the necessary documents
Be ready with the documents list mentioned below, so you do not have to hurry when required.
- Valid passport (it's better if the passport is not expiring within 24 months)
- Original certificates of all of your academic qualifications from the relevant institute (university)
- Original transcript of all of your academic qualifications from the relevant institute (university)
- English translation of your marriage certificate (if you are planning to move to Singapore with your partner)
- English translation of birth certificates of your kids (if you are moving with kids)
Tip: Scan all the documents listed above and save them to a Google Drive folder. It may also be helpful for future job hunting.
Step 03: Research the job market, types of jobs, software companies and required skills
The job market is not always consistent. In some periods of the year, the job opportunities are relatively high. If you try for a job during the peak period, there is a high chance of getting a job.
You may not be aware, but the vendor contract (working in a company via a recruitment agency) is quite common in Singapore. I recommend reading about employment kinds (perm, vendor contract, direct contract etc.) and the fundamental differences between them.
Also, research a few companies to which you're applying. You may do so by visiting the Glassdoor website. More importantly, be aware of the skills and qualifications that companies in Singapore demand.
Also, talk to your friends in Singapore to get more inside the job market. They may have a first-hand understanding of it.
Step 04: Continue to enhance your skills
Once you learn the skills that companies in Singapore demand (Step 03), you may concentrate on enhancing those skills if you lack them. You may try the following methods;
- Take some online courses and complete them (i.e. Pluralsight, Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, YouTube).
- Solve a few problems in any one of HackerRank, Codility, DevSkiller, or LeetCode platforms, to improve your understanding of data structures and algorithms.
- If possible, try to complete some certifications (i.e. AWS, OCJP, ISTQB etc.)
Back in 2019, when I wanted a permanent job in Singapore, I used to solve one challenge per day on HackerRank. It truly helped. More significantly, I could answer the algorithm question that interviewers presented during interviews.
Here is my HackerRank profile;
Step 05: Improve LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is an excellent platform for showcasing your skills and qualifications. Furthermore, LinkedIn recommendations demonstrate how other people, particularly coworkers, see you as a person.
Here are some of my suggestions for your LinkedIn;
- Sync your CV with your LinkedIn profile
- Request some recommendations from your current and ex-colleagues
- Link your certifications under the "Licenses & certifications" on your LinkedIn
- Add your skills and request your colleagues to endorse it
Here is my profile on LinkedIn. Consider following.
Step 06: Prepare the CV and a cover letter
This step is a crucial phase in your job hunting since your CV is the first impression you make on the company you're applying to. When constructing your CV, I recommend that you conduct your research thoroughly.
Here are some of my suggestions;
- Read and understand the dos and don'ts on a technical CV
- Get a couple of CVs from your friends in Singapore who have a similar experience as you and examine them.
- Use Grammarly or a similar tool to minimize tiny grammar mistakes in the content.
- Invest in premium CV creation software such as "Resume.io". It will assist with some excellent CV templates.
Well, in my experience, a cover letter is not needed in Singapore. However, submitting a cover letter is acceptable if you believe it is necessary.
Side note: Because you are a non-resident alien, your employer is required to provide sponsorship for your VISA. Consider mentioning it on your resume.
Step 07: Review the CV with some hiring managers
This is something I generally do. After creating the CV, you can submit it to a few hiring managers you've previously worked with in the past. And ask if they have any free time to examine and give input for improvement. If you get feedback for improvement, consider making changes. I believe it is critical to understand their perception of the CV since you will present your CV to a hiring manager in a company for a job opportunity.
My ex-managers helped me with this most of the time. I bet your ex-managers also will help.
You may skip this step if you believe it is unnecessary, or you can replace the hiring manager with a handful of your friends.
Step 08: Attend a couple of mock interviews
This step is also a common practice for me. Once you have completed your CV, please email it to some senior ex-colleagues or ex-managers and seek a mock interview based on the CV. If you haven't recently had an actual interview, this step will help you identify your level and places for improvement. Make an effort to improve any weaknesses since similar questions may be asked during the actual interviews. Let the mock interviewer ask the technical and non-technical questions (behavioural questions) during the interview.
Step 09: Begin applying for jobs that are a good fit for you
Once you have completed all the above eight steps, you are in a great position to start applying for jobs in Singapore. Find several job portals, create profiles in those portals (which should be synced with your CV) and submit your CV for positions that are a good fit for your profile. This process takes time since you must also create profiles on the company's job portal while applying (i.e. Workday). I recommend keeping an excel document with all your information so you may copy and paste it when building a profile on the company's job portal.
You could ask your friends and network for assistance in sharing your CV with hiring managers and recruiting firms in Singapore with whom they have previously worked.
Here are a couple of job posting portals in Singapore
Step 10: Attend interviews
You should get calls/emails for interviews a few days after applying. You can confidently approach interviews since you have already done your study. During the interview, play all your trump cards and attempt to crack it as early as possible. According to my experience, the number of interviews and processing time while applying via a recruiting firm is relatively low.
Tip: Take a brief note of what questions were asked during the interview as soon as you complete it. It will aid in your preparation for the subsequent interviews.
Side Note: According to what I’ve heard, the company’s priority is to fill the job with a local applicant. If they cannot fill the position with a local applicant, employers will begin to seek overseas CVs, which is a fair approach. Hence do not get demoralized if you did not receive an interview call. The issue might be the company’s unwillingness or lack of quota to sponsor a VISA for a foreign national. Continue attempting to expand your network and request their assistance.
Step 11: Negotiate the compensation, and accept the offer
Once the company confirms that you are selected, congratulations, you have done good job lah.
Before negotiating the monthly salary, including monthly fixed allowances, be aware of the minimum salary requirements for the work pass. The Employment Pass (EP) is software jobs' most common work pass. Use the Employment / S Pass Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) from MoM to understand minimum salary requirements.
Compensation includes the following depending on the company;
- Basic salary
- Monthly and annual fixed allowances
- Annual bonus
- Equity grant
- Medical, life insurance package for your and immediate family
- Relocation package
- Number of annual and sick leaves
- Other benefits include ESPP, EAP etc.
Take note, if you are joining a company via a recruitment agency, most of the time, only 1, 5 and 7 apply to you.
If you are satisfied with the company and the compensation, accept it.
Step 12: Work with HR for the work pass process
Once you accept the offer, someone from HR will assist you with the work pass. HR will send a form requesting the required details for the work pass application. You have to fill and send it back to HR with the documents we have prepared in Step 02.
Step 13: Wait till the work pass is get approved by MoM
Surprisingly, this is the most stressful part of the process. However, during this stage, all you can do is wish and pray that MoM will approve your EP. The link below will take you to the EP's status page; you can check the status of your EP.
Tip: Well, this is not within your control, and you cannot do anything. Just chill and enjoy a coffee or make some love with your partner. Do not get stressed about the thing which you cannot control.
Side Note: During this time, some companies undertake background checks. If the company requires it, you must support a background check.
Step 14: Start to look for an apartment.
While you wait for EP approval, you may begin looking for a room or an apartment that meets your needs. PropertyGuru, as the name indicates, is a well-known website in Singapore for apartment hunting. Take your work location into account while looking for a place to stay in Singapore. Unlike in many other nations, travelling one hour to work is quite far in Singapore.
I advise you to collect a list of flats that will be available around the time you arrive in Singapore. When you arrive, pay a personal visit to determine whether the location is right for you. Spend the first 1–2 weeks at a hotel. You will most likely get two weeks of lodging as part of your relocation package.
Step 15: Begin the process of resigning from your current employer
Congratulations! MoM approves your EP.
Once MoM approves the EP, HR will share a document called IPA (In-Principle Approval) letter, a temporary pass to enter Singapore for work. You may begin resigning from your current employer after you have the IPA and if the firm gives you the green light for your background verification.
Tip:
Consider working efficiently and successfully throughout your notice period. It’s your responsibility.
When you move out of the company, don’t leave a bad image of yourself. Several Singapore companies do background checks by phoning previous employers with your consent.
Remember that you may need assistance from your ex-boss or ex-colleagues to examine your CV (Step 07) or to conduct a mock interview (Step 08).
Step 16: Move to Singapore
Consider taking a short break, maybe one week, after serving your notice period before going to Singapore. During this week, you can pack your needed belongings in Singapore.
As you prepare to move to a new country, you can enjoy some YouTube videos about how Singapore's transportation systems work, things to do in Singapore, Singapore’s culture, social events and how to be a volunteer in some of the local CSR activities etc.
If you are from Sri Lanka, you must register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. You need your degree certificate, offer letter and the IPA letter for this.
Is everything done? Well, I wish you a safe flight. See you in Singapore.
These are the steps I recommended to my friends who came to Singapore for the job, and it worked for them and me. It’s entirely up to the individual how they need to run the job hunting process. If you took any additional steps, consider leaving a comment. It could be useful to the readers.
You may wonder how long it takes from step 1 to step 16. To answer that question, I created a Gantt chart. According to it, if you are genuine and have put in your best effort, you may get a job in Singapore in 100 days.
Here is the Gantt chart
If you need to see the above Gantt Chart in excel format, here is the link.
Please note that, in the above Gantt Chart, I considered the notice period one month, and I assumed that you could utilize three days from the annual leave. So technically, 27 days of notice. In addition, I plan you to take six days off before going to Singapore. I also believe that attending interviews till the firm where you say yes applies for your EP is preferable.
I appreciate your time in reading this article. Although I'm referring to Singapore, these methods may apply to any country. Consider sharing this article with your friends seeking work in Singapore or anywhere in the world.
Husny Jeffrey
Published on the 23rd of July 2022
