Hi, wanted to get a job at Singapore but have several concerns so hoping someone would just help

1. my CGPA only slightly more than 2.5/4. I'm an accounting grad, soon-to-be at least. had to extend my graduation due to bad grades. internship sucked so bad because i submitted my report like really late - C grade to be exact. I don't mind working at small auditing firm, just wonder if there's any marketability at Singapore...

2. If I stay at JB, near to larkin station, how early should i be at the CIQ? 530, i suppose?? let's say i start work at 830am somewhere near Central region?? also what time i should leave Singapore back to JB?? I suppose the bus service doesn't work for 24 hrs, right?? Don't mind if the travelling 2 hrs++ back and forth everyday. it's not like i hv something else to do if i reach home earlier if i stay in sg. not to mention, im first jobber, stay at jb more economical.

thanks.

really? maybe if i highlight the expected salary in the resume, they might consider my application?? LOL..but thought of being 'cheap'...wonder if u know, SGD1.6k-1.8k would be appropriate?
thx!

thanks for your reply.
1. hopefully can get into audit firm, small firm is fine. wonder if you can advice if my expected salary would be around 1.8k-2k with 2.5 cgpa. tx

2. i hope smaller firms wont have huge workloads like the larger firms...don't mind work until 9 or 10pm...it'd be off-peak hrs..maybe travelling back to JB wont be too hassling / take shorter time?? so, what time i need to be in CIQ? if i hv to start work at 830am?? tx

look forward to hear from u again

thanks a million

i hv no choice, sg rooms very expensive.. hv to suffer for the 1st 2 or 3 months ....hopefully dont hv to work until 10pm...if so no choice!!plus even i can cabut at 6pm, i might go for dinner and hang out until 8 or 9pm just to avoid the traffic..
can wake up 6am++?? i think maybe i need to be at the checkpoint at 530am already..since if my working place could be at the central region...approx. 2 hrs ++ travelling...

wonder if i stay at second link there? is it called TUAS?? less traffic there? kindly advice

Thanks a lot!!!

[quote=seantang,Jul 9 2012, 11:29 AM]
I think around 2K should be okay. The Deloittes auditors stationed in my company are getting 2.6-2.8K fresh. But seriously, I'm just pulling the assumption about small firms out of thin air. I have absolutely no experience or dealings with them.

my expected is not that high since my grades aren't too good...even i want to try for big4 like Deloittes, i guess they wont recruit even i put around 2k...i guess big4 wont compromise money for quality, i guess

[/quote]Problem is that public transport don't run 24 hours. I think the causeway bus service ends before midnight.

If it's anything like the Big4, the working hours will not be uniform each and every day. Some days, you might need to leave the client's office at Shenton Way (down south) after 10pm. In that case, there's practically no chance for you to take public transport across the entire island to Woodlands etc and still be in time to take a bus across the causeway. If that happens, what are you going to do? Bunk for the night with a colleague? You're basically up shit creek without a paddle.

If you're taking public transport - living in JB and working in SG only works if you have very steady work hours and locations ie. you know exactly what time you need to be exactly where.

The other option... get a motorcycle and bike in every day. Then you have all the flexibility you need, except when it rains. Clients don't appreciate wet auditors... trust me. I assume you can't afford a car.

To answer your question about timing... I used to take the overnight bus to Sg from Ipoh. I will reach SG at about 4:30-5:30am depending on the driver's balls. First bus from Woodlands CIQ to MRT is at 6:15am. Get into a train to Orchard Rd at 6:40am. Reach Orchard at 7:10am. Reach office at 7:20am. Takes about 1hr:5minutes. Add 5-10minutes for every bus/train you miss and have to wait for the next one. And when it's peak hour... you might not get into the first arriving bus or train.

[/quote]

Probably wont get a bike since i have no license at all for motor license...and you were right, client don't appreciate wet auditors...public transport is the only option...i guess maybe to find firms around north regions with a steady working hrs jobs for first couple of mths such as accounting jobs instead of auditing
...or if i hv to work so late, maybe there's a bus service from the down south straight to Larkin-JB, i guess?? i mean i dont hv to stop at MRT kranji/ woodlands to change to the causeway bus?? i tried once at Queen st near Bugis, i guess..not sure whether it's really to the south / far enough to the checkpoint... i guess maybe there are bus services straight to Larkin-JB, i guess...do advice ya

Thanks a million

your colleagues able to get a job that provides transportation...hope mine could hv such perks...i heard some of my friends...if work too late, cab fare can be claimed...wonder if they can cover the cab fare all the way back to JB-larkin
TUAS area seems abit complicated, i guess?
i think there are several stops at singapore that offers bus services all-the-way back to JB-Larkin?? like at the Queen st.??maybe i dont hv to stuck at the CIQ if i able get those services??

thks for advice..
TQ

hopefully I can be as tough as your ex-colleague. I only have to save up for the first couple of mths for the sg rental-deposit, then i will live in sg. after all, depends on the working location, if i work in north region, i probably will stay at JB a little longer.
were you suggesting that time should not just be spent on working and travel-to-work??? like if i use it wisely, i might have better career progression or smthg?

. Thanks for your reply. It definitely boost up my confidence or enlighten some hope that i could actually get a job over there. I will definitely discuss with lecturers or previous employers for good referrals. Hope my command of the language can be an extra credit or something
Oh yes, you are right, only within singapore area. Hopefully the cab can get me into the CIQ, so that I don't have to take public transport to the Woodlands CIQ...
The buses services mentioned are noted with thanks. I tried 170 at Kranji-JB Larkin, and causeway from Queen st. bugis - Larkin s well..SJE not sure...wonder if you know whether other regions have such bus services like straight back to JB-Larkin...

Ah...thanks for the info. noted...maybe cab ride is faster than MRT/ Bus during off-peak?? just curious..

will do so for if cannot bear the lifestyle of traveling back-and-forth. Thanks for advice
Yeah, just did some research on the web, basically will take causeway link via woodlands CIQ, higher frequency and longer hour of services - last bus from queen st is 11++pm.
Hopefully future colleagues will give better insights. wish me luck!
wonder if the train checkpoint near to the bus checkpoint?? i assume all at the same checkpoint - Woodlands CIQ. then i can walk to the bus checkpoint and back to larkin.
thanks for advice further.

You mean stay near JB custom area? if there nearby got room, i'm more interested. Thanks for info

Upon waiting for graduation approved by the University, I am starting to look for jobs at Singapore but before sending out my applications, i need the award degree and academic transcripts approved from university.

Just wondering what else should i prepare technically?? Want to get into audit line. Should I brush up some other skills?Revise what I have learnt so far??? or pick up some jargons??

hi,
was wondering about the safety issue if I stay in JB area...possibly very near to JB custom...
thx for advice.

5am wake up so early!! where you stay? wonder any residential area near JB custom like I can just walk to the custom.
Tanjong pagar i think quite near to Central side, if im not mistaken.

Hi,
hope this is not too much asking.
i'm looking for jobs at Singapore. Just finished studies and waiting for degree letter. But it just takes forever.
So, is it possible that I find some temp jobs/ contract based that only need A'Level / O' Lvl education requirements. Those jobs are such as admin/ account assistance and etc.
Do I include my Degree education in my CV? however, I have internship experience though.???

Even I include the my Degree education in CV, is it possible to apply for jobs with academic transcripts but without Degree Letter of COmpletion yet. ( For jobs that need minimum degree qualification)

hi all,
May I ask if I apply jobs at recruitment agency such as Recruit Express, do I have to pay for agent fees or something??
Thanks in advance

How's the fees gonna be like?? one month salary or partial?
Thanks!