Needle in a haystack?

Oh to be bilingual, Singaporean or a PR!... I wonder if even then, job hunting would be any easier? Finding a job here is like trying to find a needle in a haystack!

A giant, discriminatory haystack!

I NEVER thought I would be saying this, but apparently being an Australian seeking employment in Singapore isn't such a great thing....






We Aussie's are allegedly so 'chilled' and 'laid back' that employers here fear we will not be able to cope with the high demand work culture or working hours!





Coming from working in a high demand, high pressure and sometimes downright insane workplace - working anywhere from 9 - 14 hour days... forgive me if I find this a little offensive... not to mention disappointing. From both a personal and professional prospective!

Aside from the apparent work culture differences, 'lack of local experience' seems to be the next key issue. The thing is... if no one will give you a chance, how do you get the local experience?

Regardless, are the mechanics of the job not the same? Doesn't changing jobs in any country or industry involve a learning curve? New job = new company strategies and procedures, new markets, new customers, new products!?

If I am told one more time how 'amazing' my resume is and how 'my years of experience is terrific' but not local so 'don't expect an interview'... I might lose it...

Then we have the dollars... and this is where the real fun starts!

Good news for foreigners being offered a relocation package from home - 45% of expats in Singapore earn more than $200K per year. Considering Singapore has steadily been welcoming about 100,000 expats annually - That's a lot of highly paid professionals!

Sadly for locals the average annual salary is less than $29K! Unfortunately for expats who have relocated over without employment - many positions advertised fall into this category!

Salaries for marketing roles advertised during the past 6 months (all levels) appear to reflect (on average) less than half of what the someone would earn back home in a similar position. Not to mention a serious reduction in employment benefits.

It's strange. It's disappointing. Is it worth it?

Of course, this is why networking and keeping in touch with contacts back home is so important! It might just be one of those connections that lands you in your dream 'expat' position! (Here's hoping!)

I'm ever so lucky that we are currently in a position where I haven't had to 'settle' and can keep looking for a job that ticks most, if not all, the boxes.

Being from the country, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty looking - so for now, the hunt continues!

A hard working Aussie! x

On the deck of a ship, sipping some champas, 57 stories up...

Yes, I finally made it to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark for a drink (or three)!

Marina Bay Sands or MBS as it is know to locals (such as myself :P) is one amazing structure.

The multi billion dollar resort features a 2,561-room hotel, a 120,000 sq.m. convention-exhibition centre, a mall (of course!), an Art & Science museum, two Sands Theatres, seven 'celebrity chef' restaurants, two floating pavilions, a casino and an indoor ice rink! The complex is topped by a 340m-long 'ship' which holds a 150m infinity swimming pool, a nightclub and couches for those who want to drink and chill with a serious view! 

Now those of you that know me are aware that I have a reasonably severe fear of heights.... you'll be happy to know that I was 'ok'.  I wasn't keen on venturing to the edge (glass barrier and all...) BUT I managed to 'brave it' and take a few pics :)

Surprisingly, it didn't take me long to relax,  even though you are 'outside' and at that height experiencing a fair breeze, I felt MUCH safer than I did on the likes of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Eiffle Tower! (the two places I was thinking of when we first arrived at the foot of the building!)

There is no cover charge if you plan to have a few drinks AND the drinks are around the same price as other popular bars I have been too, so really it's the perfect spot to start a night out or to take visitors for something a little spesh :)

So... who's coming over for a bevo?

Lion or Dragon?

My Chinese NY extravaganza ended on a high with me FINALLY witnessing the lion dance!

I (sadly) had been referring to the dance as the dragon dance.. only to be corrected by locals and expats that knew better! My bad. After making the mistake twice, I did my research and discovered that I wasn't alone, it is a common misconception...

The traditional Chinese Lion dance, usually performed during festivals and most commonly during Chinese New Year celebrations, involves performers mimicking a lion's movements in a lion costume. However, there IS also a dragon dance! An easy way to tell the difference is that the lion is operated by only two people who are 'inside' the lion. A dragon needs many people, sometimes up to 50! In this dance, the performers can be seen since the dragon is held up on poles.

The Lion's movements go in time with loud drum and symbol beats which can be heard BLOCKS away. The moves resemble those I've seen in top Kung Fu movies, taking inspiration from traditional martial arts.

I loved the cheeky and playful nature of the Lion. Simply put, the dance 'made my NY'!

 Lion acrobatics in China town!

Lion Dance - Lion providing offerings to the gods and people


I also had the pleasure of seeing some of the top floats from the annual Changay Parade - AMAZING!!! Snaps below!

What a month! Love love love the vibe and (as mentioned before) BEAUTIFUL decorations all around the country.

Can't wait til next year! :)

S x