I live in Britain now and am talking with an international company about an entry-level position in Singapore. Because of the nature of this job, they say they prefer to hire locals, but as they have not found anyone suitable, they are considering hiring me from London.

The company just drop me a note to say that they hope to make a decision within a week. I really want this job-although it doesn't pay well and only offers a six-month contract initially, it seems like a stepping stone to something bigger. Can anyone suggest me a way to convince this potential employer?

One big reason most companies prefer to hire locals is the whole hassle of getting visas for foreigners to work wherever. To get over this hurdle, you have to be offering something their local candidates don't have - languages, experience of a kind that is difficult to get locally (tough, I know, for entry level positions).

If you already have working privileges in Singapore (say, were born there or something) make sure they know that.

It's generally a royal PITA to hire a foreigner over a local person. You have to make it worth their while somehow.
Cheers,
Bev

Fortunately for those who want to go to Singapore, they have a major labor shortage in a great many fields, so right now companies are probably a lot more willing to go through the pain and expense of bringing someone in from overseas. We´ll keep our fingers crossed for you.

I was in Dubai for a short time working for my family firm with new irrigation technology. In November they decided to pull out. My girlfriend and I decided to stay. She got a good job running a real estate office for a really good local. My background is civil earthworks, golf course construction, underground utilities, land development. I ran a company of 150 employees $45,000,000 in revenue back in the states with 25 years experience. I am 48. I have sent out about a thousand CVs and have yet to get a bonafide interview. I have sent most of them to postings by recruiters on the web and some directly to the employers I targeted. I have got calls back from a couple of recruiters with the proverbial if we find something we'll call you. I know my skill set could be put to good use here, but the lack of an engineering degree seems to be hurting me. I have a 4 year degree and a wealth of knowledge and experience in these industries.

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Oh yea, I am also thinking about working in my girlfriends company selling real estate. Any commments from you real estate pros?

Bart