How to get a job in Singapore: 8 steps

Singapore is well known for its low taxation, the minimal cost of living, and warm, pleasant climate. Also known as the hub to Asia, Singapore is notoriously safe and welcoming. Living and working in the city is a dream shared by many.

Luckily, the job market in the Asian city is steadily growing. More industries are popping up, and there’s a huge increase in the number of expats and locals founding startups. Finding a job in Singapore is highly doable for expats - but how do you get started?

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Before you get started, a word.

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Now, back to what you came here to read.

This guide will walk you through 8 steps for finding a job in Singapore.

1. Check your eligibility to work in Singapore

Before getting into an exhaustive job search, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re eligible to work in Singapore. There are different kinds of work permits based on your qualifications. The Ministry of Manpower in Singapore has published an online self-assessment tool, to gauge your likelihood of eligibility.

While the assessment can give you an idea, you shouldn’t take it as a guarantee that you’ll be eligible. Some factors, like permit quotas and your personal background, aren’t calculated with the online assessment. However, it can potentially save you some time.

Also, keep in mind that in most cases you can’t apply for a work pass without a job in place and a salary offer that meets a minimum requirement. The only pass category that is not connected to your employer is the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)². Therefore, applying for your Singapore work visa is one of the last steps you’ll take.

2. Choose a thriving industry³

While Singapore is host to many markets, some industries are stronger than others. Historically, Singapore has been a welcoming home to finance professionals, especially those in audit and securities.

While the financial job market is as strong as ever, new industries are rising quickly in the Southern Asian city. Jobs for IT workers, digital marketers and compliance specialists are surging.

Some of the most thriving industries at the moment are banking and finance, software and technology, artificial intelligence and healthcare. Demand in the fields of data science and analytics is also high, as well as manufacturing and biotechnology. Other prevalent roles in Singapore include mental health care and tourism and hospitality.

Besides researching the most in-demand jobs, you can also explore the average salaries for those positions in Singapore. This can help you get an idea of what you can expect in a future job and see if that’s satisfying for you. Also, skip a couple of steps to the interview - employers like it when you’re informed on salary averages in their industry.

3. Understand common employment practices

Before committing to work in Singapore, it’s a good idea to review whether the most common employment practices are a good fit for your lifestyle.

Once again, the Ministry of Manpower has an incredibly helpful and well organized section dedicated to this on their website. With information about skill training, leaves of absence, holidays, hours, contracts, and much more, this comprehensive list of employment resources will help you get an understanding of what working in Singapore would be like.

4. Find a job in Singapore through online search⁴

One of the best places to look for open positions in Singapore is online. With a multitude of web resources available to aid in your search, the following sites are some of the biggest and most used by Singapore job searchers:

• Monster - A global job search website with over 20 years of experience. Monster contains listings across every market in Singapore.
• MyCareersFuture - A website run by the Government of Singapore, which ensures safety and reliability. It provides both entry-level and advanced jobs, as well as career advice.
• JobsDB - A platform which allows job-seekers to search through offers sourced from many different sites.
• Indeed Singapore - The local version of the global meta-aggregator with a great user interface.
• LinkedIn - The most famous professional network in the world has a strong presence in Singapore too. You can find new job postings daily and narrow them down to your interests

5. Meet with an employment agency

Even with most openings online, there are plenty of advantages to working with a recruitment agency for your job search in Singapore. A recruiter will help you work on your CV, cover letter and interview preparations.

They’ll also give you a better understanding of your industry and potential employer, including tips about the company’s history and culture.

While it’s important to do your research and choose the agency that’s the best fit for your industry and skills, the following have been well reviewed as trusted agencies in the city.

• 3C Synergy - specializing in jobs in construction, oil and gas
• Manpower - a range of industries including information technology, engineering, customer services, sales & marketing
• Robert Half - a global agency founded in 1948 offering jobs in banking, C-suite and senior management, finance, project consulting and technology
• PERSOLKELLY - the joined forces of Kelly Services and PERSOL Holdings
• Randstad - this agency offers a wide range of specialisations, but focuses on UI/UX design, cybersecurity, as well as accounting and finance, sales and marketing and many more.

6. Meet people

Networking is very important when looking for jobs anywhere and is no less crucial in Singapore. Some great groups to meet with if you have a chance to visit the city during your job search include:

• Startup Grind Singapore to get involved with the city’s vibrant startup community
• TiE Singapore to meet aspiring entrepreneurs and mentors
• Any of the many business and professional gatherings listed on Meetup

If you can’t get to Singapore, it’s still a good idea to network. Reaching out to other professionals on LinkedIn, either through their blogs or on Twitter, can yield great results in getting job leads and introductions to businesses in Singapore.

A good way to network while searching for a job is through volunteer work. It will also boost your confidence and make your resume look better. The Singaporean government has a website dedicated to volunteering opportunities only and it’s worth checking out.

7. Apply for your work visa

Getting a job offer is a huge accomplishment, but it doesn’t represent the final step in the hiring process. Next, you’ll need to apply for and obtain a Singapore work visa.

Luckily, Singapore is a multicultural city that’s home to many expats, and is typically welcoming of foreigners seeking visas. To obtain one, you’ll need a job offer, to pay a registration fee and to submit your application. You can apply for your visa online and have it processed in just 7 days. Here, you can also check all the types of work visas available to assess which one best applies for your case.

Before you apply, it’s important to know what type of visa you’re eligible for. There’s a couple of them, depending on your skills and qualifications. They can be divided in three groups: Professionals, Skilled and semi-skilled workers and Trainees and students.

Here’s an overview of passes in the Professionals category, along with who they’re suitable for:

• Employment Pass - for foreign professionals, executives and managers earning at least 5,000 Singapore Dollar (SGD) per month
• EntrePass - for foreign entrepreneurs looking to start their business in Singapore
• Personalized Employment Pass - only given to high earners already holding an employment pass, but offering huge flexibility in employment terms and eligible industries
• Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass - reserved for top talent in arts and culture, sports, business, science and technology, and academia

When it comes to Skilled and semi-skilled workers, the categories are the following:

• S Pass - the most common visa type for typical foreign workers, provided to mid-tier professionals earning at least 3,000 SGD per month, and who have passed the requisite assessment
• Work Permit for migrant worker - for semi-skilled workers in the construction sector, as well as manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services
• Work Permit for performing artiste - for foreign performers working in bars, hotels, nightclubs and similar types of entertainment outlets

Finally, the Trainees and students visas are available in the following forms:

• Training Employment Pass - for foreign professionals earning 3,000 SGD per month and undergoing practical training
• Work Holiday Pass (under Work Holiday Programme) - for students and graduates aged 18 to 25 who want to work and holiday in Singapore for 6 months
• Training Work Permit - for semi-skilled foreign trainees or students undergoing practical training in Singapore for up to 6 months

8. Get ready to move

Once your visas and currency exchange are in order, you’re ready to move to Singapore! As a multicultural hub that takes pride in its safe and friendly environment, adapting to life in Singapore can prove much easier than doing so in other Asian cities.

The majority of the people speak English and there are plenty of available (and excellent) cuisines. Finding housing isn’t the crunch that it can be in other business hubs like New York and London. For tips and information about living in Singapore, check out Living In Singapore’s excellent compiled list of expat blogs.

Ready to move?

Got the job and sorted all your documents? Congratulations! You're ready to move. If you need to make payments before arriving in Singapore you could take a look at a low-cost international transfer option with Wise. You’ll be able to send money using the mid-market rate and just for a small transparent fee (which will most likely be cheaper than your bank)*.

Getting a Wise account can be a financially-wise choice if you plan on doing international transfers regularly. With it, you’ll be able to send and manage dozens of different currencies, all from the same account.

Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 28-Nov-2022.