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His first International job hunt experience in Singapore

If you’re considering applying for tech or non-tech jobs in Singapore and need to secure a work visa (Employment Pass) after receiving a job offer, this article is your go-to guide.

Amit began his international job search as a cybersecurity consultant in May 2023. By December 2023, he had secured two job offers in Singapore. The process was challenging but ultimately rewarding. He applied for the Employment Pass, reached Singapore, and started working in February 2024 at an international bank. This journey helped him discover his potential and build confidence.

Employment Pass (EP) Overview

Singapore is a global technology hub, attracting talent worldwide, including professionals from India. To work legally in Singapore, foreigners must apply for a valid work visa/pass approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The Employment Pass (EP) is one of the most popular options for skilled foreign workers, requiring a minimum monthly salary of $5,000. The EP application must be sponsored by a Singapore-registered company and submitted online by the employer.

Amit's Employment Pass (EP) Application Process

Once Amit received a job offer, his employer requested the following documents:

Scanned copy of a valid passport
EP application form listed on MOM’s website, and he was required to fill some sections 2A, 4, 5, 6, 7A, and 8.
Degree certificate

That’s all he was asked to submit. Besides this, he had to sign his contract/offer letter before his employer submits the EP application.

Usually, EP applications take 3 to 8 weeks for processing. You can check your status on MOM’s website using the FIN number provided by your employer.

The system will display four possible stages/statuses of your application. In his case, the system changed from the initial “Pending” stage to “Approved” in 4 weeks😊 After his application was approved, his employer informed him via email and advised him to secure accommodations in Singapore. They also provided an IPA (In-Principle Approval) issued by MOM, allowing him to enter Singapore. This letter serves as a single-entry visa and can be used to secure accommodation before receiving the work permit card, which serves as an identity document.

Flying to Singapore

Once he got his IPA (In-Principle Approval), he booked his flight and informed his employer of the day he would arrive in Singapore.

How does his job interview looked like?

(Before applying for the Employment Pass, it’s necessary to clear job interview and secure a job offer)

The Singaporean recruiter hunted him through LinkedIn and he expressed that he found his experience a perfect match for the positions they currently have and invited him to initial telephonic interview.

Here's a breakdown of how his entire interview went, including some of the questions asked.

Initial HR Screening Round:

Duration: 25 minutes

Focus: Assessing basic qualifications, work experience & motivation.

Example Questions:

Can you provide a brief overview of your experience as a cyber security consultant
What motivated you to apply for this position?
What specific skills or experiences do you believe make you a strong candidate for this role?
What interests you about working in our company?
Do you hold a valid visa to work in Singapore?
What are your salary expectations for this role?
Can you discuss your availability to start in this position if selected?
Are you comfortable with occasional travel requirements for this role?

Initial Technical Assessment:

Duration: 60 minutes

Focus: Evaluating technical skills and past experiences

Example Questions:

Can you walk me through your current role in your organization?
Can you elaborate on your experience with Docker/ Kubernetes security
Can you discuss any specific projects where you implemented security measures in AWS or Azure
What’s your take on zero-trust architecture
What benefits did you observe from using security automation tools?”
Can you walk us through your use of tools for penetration testing and vulnerability assessments?

Scenario-Based Interview:

Duration: 60-75 minutes

Focus: Presenting hypothetical scenarios related to cyber security issues.

Example Questions:

How would you identify and exploit a SQL injection vulnerability in a web application? What steps would you take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Your organization’s third-party vendor experiences a data breach, potentially exposing sensitive customer data. How would you investigate the breach, assess the impact on your organization, and work with the vendor to mitigate the risk?

Cultural Fit and Salary Negotiation:

Duration: 45-60 minutes

Focus: Assessing soft skills, cultural fit, and salary negotiation.

Example Questions:

Why do you want to work for us?
Why do you want to move to Singapore?
Can you describe a serious mistake you made at your last job?
How do you prioritize tasks effectively in a high-pressure environment?
We’re excited to extend an offer of xxxxxx Dollars gross per year. Does that meet your salary expectations?

Exploring Singapore's Job Market

Several multinational corporations, startups, and local tech firms in Singapore offer job sponsorships for foreign talent. Some prominent companies that hire software engineers and sponsor Employment Passes in Singapore are:

Microsoft
Grab
Lazada
Shopee
DBS Bank
Visa
Salesforce
Carousell
ShopBack
Ninja Van
Carousel
Traveloka
Gojek

These companies actively seek skilled individuals from around the world to join their teams, offering competitive salaries, exciting career opportunities, and the chance to work in one of Asia’s most vibrant tech ecosystems. Don’t miss out on these prospects – start exploring job opportunities in Singapore today.

Tips for Job Seekers in Singapore

Check Company Websites: Look for career opportunities and information about sponsorship or relocation assistance.
Search Job Boards: Sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Indeed often mention sponsorship in job descriptions.
Contact Companies Directly: Reach out to HR departments or hiring managers to inquire about EP sponsorship for specific positions.