A quick guide for Filipinos on how to work in Singapore

Singapore is known as the heart of South East Asia. It is located near the equator, and it enjoys a tropical climate all year long. Even though, it is a small country, Singapore is composed of people of different culture. It has also a strong economy, good government, modern living standards, and has among the lowest crime rate in the world.

For the Filipinos, Singapore is one of the favorite destinations to work with. It offers professional jobs mostly in the industry of business, tourism, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, IT, finance, etc.

SINGAPORE FACTS AND HOLIDAYS

If you are planning to work in Singapore, then you should have an idea about the country. Here are the following facts:

Country: Republic of Singapore
Capital City: Singapore
Language/s: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Currency Exchange:
Government: Parliament
Climate: Tropical
Country Code: +65

New Year's Day 1 January 2013
Chinese New Year 10,11 February  
Good Friday 29 March 2013
Labour Day 1 May 2013
Vesak Day 24 May 2013
Hari Raya Puasa 8 August 2013
National Day 9 August 2013
Hari Raya Haji        15 October 2013
Deepavali         3 November 2013
Christmas Day 25 December 2013

HOW TO WORK IN SINGAPORE

There are three important things you need to answer to increase you chance of getting hired in Singapore.

1. Is your occupation in-demand in Singapore? According to POEA, it is easy for you to find a job in Singapore if it is included in the list of in-demand jobs by the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore.

2.Do you have enough work experience? A relevant work experience is needed to be qualified for a job and to get an Employment Pass.
3. Can you work with other nationalities? Industries in Singapore are composed of diverse group of people. Also, most of the companies in Singapore are managed or controlled by foreign employers too. The working condition in Singapore is different from the Philippines.

To be able to work in Singapore, you need a work permit or a valid visas. Any Singaporeans that hire non-residents without a valid work-permit will face penalties, and the hired non-resident can be deported or put into jail.

Here are the following passes and visas: (The following information were taken from the Ministry of Manpower website)

1. Employment Pass for professional workers

The Employment Pass allows foreign professionals to work in Singapore. It applies to foreigners who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $3,000, and have acceptable qualifications.

2. The S Pass for mid-level skilled foreigners.
The S Pass allows mid-level skilled foreigners who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $2,000 to work in Singapore.S Pass applications are assessed on multiple criteria including salary, education qualification, skills, job type and work experience.
3. A Work Permit (WP) is generally issued to foreign unskilled workers.

The duration of a Work Permit is generally two years, subject to the validity of the worker’s passport, the Banker’s/Insurance Guarantee, and the worker’s employment period, whichever is shorter. The worker is only allowed to work for the employer and in the specified occupation
4. The Miscellaneous Work Pass
The Miscellaneous Work Pass is for foreigners working in Singapore on short-term assignments that fall into certain specific activity categories.
5.  Work Permit for Performing Artistes
This work pass is for foreign artistes performing at any Public Entertainment Licensed bar, discotheque, lounge, night club, pub, hotel, private club or restaurant for a maximum of six months.

WHAT ARE THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN SINGAPORE?

Here are the in-demand jobs in Singapore. 


WHERE TO LOOK FOR JOBS IN SINGAPORE?
To get an overseas job nowadays is not that difficult. There are many options that you can choose:
1. You can get a job by reading a newspaper.
2. You can ask your friends or relatives that are currently working in Singapore.
3. You can apply through online. Check the following websites:

www.poea.gov.ph www.jobstreet.com
www.workabroad.ph www.jobsdb.com

ADDITIONAL INFO OF WORKING IN SINGAPORE
• It is a well known fact that many Filipinos visit Singapore. As a Filipino, you are entitled to get a free tourist visa that will not exceed 30 days. In this case, many Filipinos are taking advantage of it. Once they get into Singapore, they worked illegally without any documents. This is illegal and not advisable.
• It is much safer to look for a job through the help of recruitment agency, or, it is better that your employer will process first your work permit while you are still in the Philippines before going to Singapore.
• Foreign workers in Singapore are entitled to receive the same benefits enjoyed by the locals.
• The salary should not be less than the minimum wage set by the Ministry of Manpower.
• Foreign workers must know the Employment Act. The rights of foreign workers are clearly stated in this law.
• Foreign workers cannot be asked to work for more than 12 hours a day. In case of special circumstances, the employer needs to get a special permit to require the employee to work for more than 12 hours.
• The probationary period for new employees is from 3 months to 6 months.
• A foreign employee must notify the Ministry of Manpower if there will be a change of address, employment, salary, etc.

OFW Directory:

Philippine Embassy in Singapore


Singapore Embassy in Manila
Address: No. 505, Rizal Drive,
(Cor. 5th Avenue and Rizal Drive)
Bonifacio Global City,
1634 Taguig City,
Metro Manila,
Philippines

Tel:+63 (2) 856 9922 (General Line)

+63 (2) 856 9922 Ext 110 (Consular Services)

+63 (2) 856 9922 Ext 113 (Visa Services)

Fax:+63 (2) 856 9932

E-Mail: singemb_mnl@sgmfa.gov.sg

Operational Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Closed on Sat and Sun, Philippine public holidays and Singapore's National Day (9 August).

How to recruit an EFL/ESL teacher in the Philippines

Recruitment is the process of looking and getting the right person in the right job.  And the success of the company depends on the person that will be hired.

Six years ago, I became a part of the recruiting team in one of the universities in Thailand.

I was assigned to assess foreign applicants who want to teach EFL in the Language Department of the university.

I encountered applicants from various backgrounds, and honestly speaking, it was a difficult extra job given to me.

To be a recruitment officer needs patience and analytical skill. You have 30 minutes to 1 hour with the applicant to decide whether he/she is going to fit in the job.

This article will talk about it, and my main focus is for language schools here in the Philippines who are looking for fresh and experienced ESL teachers.

Here in the Philippines, summer is the usual time for the new graduates to look for a job. It is a great opportunity for newly opened language schools to hire teachers, likewise for old language schools. Also, many Filipinos are benefited because of the possible jobs as ESL teachers.

Before you start the recruitment process, it is important to know exactly what your school needs. Have your goal in sight, and list down the questions that will guide you in the recruiting process.

Here are some of questions you need to consider:

• Are you planning to hire teachers for young learners or adult learners?
• What kind of ESL program your school is offering?
•  Is it a short term program or long term program for ESL?
• Are you looking for a teacher with a long experienced or just a new graduate? (Both of these have advantages and disadvantages)
• Do you want to hire a full time or part time teachers?

After you know what you want, you need to brainstorm the profiles of the candidates. These are the three categories you need to consider:

Qualifications –

·         Is a university degree important to the school?

·         Will you hire an applicant with a TEFL / TESOL certificate?

B.      Work Experience –

·         How long has been the applicant an ESL teacher?

·         Does the applicant have a work problem or criminal record in his/her past jobs? In 2007, an FBI fugitive was caught in Thailand. He was an ESL teacher in an international school when he was arrested. It was unknown to the school officials that the man they hired was a rapist and a pedophile in America. This experience should teach us that a background checkup is important during the hiring process. Here are the following suggestions that you can do to check the applicants background:

1.       Ask the applicant to produce a latest NBI clearance and local police clearance. You can also ask for authenticated birth certificate from NSO to be sure of the applicant’s identity.

2.       Call the previous employer if there is any, and ask for the applicants working behavior.

3.       If you noticed that the applicant’s documents are faked then it is better to get rid of him/her. Honesty still rules.

C.      Personal Qualities –

·         Is the applicant adjustable; has a sense of humor, energetic, knowledgeable, etc?

These three categories will help you during the recruitment process. You can add more categories as long it will fit on the job qualifications.

Let me add more questions that will help you before the recruitment:

·         What will you ask during the interview?

·         How will you verify the applicant’s diplomas and certificates?

·         Will you do a post interview before the actual interview?

The bottom line here is to get as much as information as possible before you invite the applicant for interview.

Now that you know what you are looking for, then you are ready to start for advertisement.

There are many ways to do it. You can do it by word of mouth, internet, newspaper, billboard, etc. If you will post advertisement on the internet, make it attractive to the applicants.

List down everything that the applicants needed to know like experience, qualifications, qualities that your school is looking for an ESL teacher.

You might want to include the information of the class (size, age group, type of ESL program). Do not also forget to include your school information, contact number, and its location. It is your discretion if you will also include the teacher’s salary.

Once you posted an advertisement through online or offline, then expect that you will receive calls or emails from potential candidates.

Check the applicant’s CV using the three categories I just mentioned. Use it to analyze if he/she is fitted for the job.

You can phone and ask a few questions if you want to ask some clarifications. If the applicant is well fitted, then schedule an appointment with the applicant. You can also ask him/her to bring some documents that will support the information written on the applicant’s CV.

Make it sure that the interview will be done in a quiet place without interruptions. It will make the candidate at ease and not to be stressful during the interview.

I’ve noticed that applicants reveal less if he/she is not at ease.

Avoid too personal questions.  It is better to list down the questions so there will be a flow during interview.

You can also ask the candidate to show a teaching demonstration in front of the student. After the interview, tell the candidate that he/she will be hearing from you in _ _ days.

Professionally speaking, it is better to wait at least 24 hours before you contact the candidate.

It will give you the time to decide to accept the candidate as an ESL teacher in your school.

I believed that a time well spent in finding a right person will give you less time spend with problems once the applicant is hired.