Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Job Hunt in Singapore...

I read an article on rediff today which mentioned that an ISB graduate was offered a $233,000 package. At the same moment I received yet another job notification from our Career Resource Centre. This was for the post of a 'Management Consultant'. "Hmm.. its about time we got such notifications" I said to myself as I opened the mail still thinking about the $200,000 package.

The requirements were as follows:-
1. The candidate must be a brilliant communicator.
2. The candidate should not only work towards extension of existing projects but also scout for new projects.
3. The candidate must be adept at market research, he/she should also analyze data using certain tools and then present the data.
4. The candidate should preferably be an MBA but a graduate with 3-5 years of experience will also do...

Wait a minute.... does that sound like the profiles of a client manager, business development manager, sales manager and business analyst rolled into one, working for half the pay of his/her western counterpart? Welcome to Singapore! A place like nothing on earth...

If you dont get shot down by the hi-fi requirements, the recruitment process will drive you nuts for sure. You apply to these 'world class' employers only to face divine silence. No acknowledgement, not even a goddamned automated reply! Only the "ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED" sign which really shows how much your talent is appreciated in "Sunny Singapore".

My wife summed it up pretty well when she said "You seem to have a natural talent at putting yourself in the wrong places".

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sir, job hunting is a funny thing where the 'hunted' is desperate to be 'caught' but the 'hunter' tries to be evasive!
When I read the desired profile for some of the jobs advertised in local media, I sometimes wonder, are they looking for a SUPERMAN(AGER) or someone who can qualify at least one of the mentioned criteria?
Happy blogging and getting 'hunted' in S'pore!!

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