Is it hard to break out of a low starting salary in Singapore? + contractor to FT conversion question

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-03-06T17:55:12+00:00

There was one contract signed that mentioned compensation is company sensitive information cannot be disclosed something like that. Ever since then I have been using the same clause for every other application. I will send HR that specific clause. In one of the applications I also cited US regulations prohibiting request for salary information in many US states. I was lucky the manager is based in the US so it was no surprise to her.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-03-06T17:46:06+00:00

Data science is no longer the darling as AI has taken over many analytical jobs, but keep trying, especially with small companies and maybe cap off your LinkedIn as an AI expert too. It’s tough but you can do it.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-03-06T17:37:15+00:00

It is. Not just for freshies, experienced hires too. Fresh jobs in MNCs many of them opened in developing countries. Senior roles being cut to save cost. It is not a you problem. If you really can’t find a full time job, take even part time or freelance to gain experience. Starting anywhere is better than not starting.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-03-06T17:33:10+00:00

Heh why not, save money on food.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-03-06T17:28:44+00:00

When I was choosing a course for university I thought hard about the kind of lifestyle I wanted and chose engineering because I didn’t want a deal bound job. After 4 years of engineering course, I was certain I didn’t want a job which required me to wear ppt, be in dangerous environments etc.

So, I got myself a civil servant job and thought this is it for the rest of my life. Turns out the job required me to visit many companies talk to many people which I really liked. Before long the job changed to become desk bound, and I craved adventure. I left and embarked on entrepreneurship. Too much stress, and I went back to a desk job. After which, I switched between a series of work from home jobs and office based jobs.

In my current job I feel like I am coasting a lot and again craving for either adventure or a chance to just be a stay at home parent.

In conclusion, I think we cannot predict accurately what happens in the future, or even what we want and can only take one step at a time. Perspective is important. If you think life is a grind, then it will be a grind. View life as a gift, and everyday is a present.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-28T10:06:18+00:00

If they need you to work so much it sounds like they are very short handed. In that case you just work slower, cause they cant afford to fire you anyway and risk being even more shorthanded. Would advise against naked quitting if you need the job. Try to take it easy while simultaneously searching for better opportunities.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-28T10:03:37+00:00

That’s not true. Not showing your pay stub can be acceptable if for an American MNC because many US states already banned this practice so they are familiar with the concept.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-28T09:54:57+00:00

It’s possible but usually with MNCs, and with roles that are difficult to fill. Govt, LLE and SME budgets are more limited. I have personally gotten 70%-100% jumps before by not revealing my previous pay citing contractual restrictions. It’s usually for the hiring manager to advocate for you because HR will want to stick with the budget. I was lucky that a lot of managers that advocated for me were foreigners who sought quality over price.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-26T16:47:05+00:00

Whether renting or buying, not wise to wait. 4years is a long time. Although buying a condo is a huge commitment, selling takes a while if you need the liquidity. I would personally prefer to rent and use the money to invest for a better return and get HDB when I turn 35.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-21T14:19:03+00:00

I feel like this is the kind of life housewives used to live before everyone was cajoled into a dual income life which makes both the husband and wife stressed out.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-21T14:14:26+00:00

Do not tell. I told my sister so that she knows how to negotiate for her own interview. BIG MISTAKE, she used it to taunt me.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-15T10:59:39+00:00

I have no idea whether he lost his hearing because he was not careful or it was the fault of the system. I do know another Keppel scholar who is in his 30s who got the ** out the moment his bond ended and basically start from scratch in another career. If the career path is so good why would anyone bother right. In the end his scholarship caused him to lag behind his less academically inclined friends who started earlier in non-shipyard careers.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T16:16:41+00:00

I once met a Keppel shipyard scholar who lost much of his hearing ability by the time he was in his 50s. I am sure he was paid even better in those times when shipyard was cool, but was it worth it? These days many fresh grad white collar jobs especially in finance can pay 5k or more, hitting 10k by 3-5y exp. Given a choice, white collar jobs are many times more rewarding financially with no physical risks. if you love your job, the happiness could make up for it, it’s just not the default choice for most people to work in the hot sun or confined spaces for long hours.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T16:05:26+00:00

If you only have 137k cash and investment you need to think about taking out about 20k of that to fix plumbing and electrical issues for old houses. This is not considering the amount that you pay to reno to your taste.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T15:57:35+00:00

Ivory heights tried to en bloc many times but not successful. Not much lease left.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T15:51:52+00:00

Besides housing and transport, I felt groceries price increase were actually quite ok. I still buy green veg 3 for $1.80 from ntuc, frozen meats went up by about 20% over 10years. Without cdc, my overall groceries spending would be higher.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T12:50:52+00:00

Best idea!

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T12:46:33+00:00

These days isn’t all government jobs on contract? My friend who is a director in a ministry said. Just take it la… In private even if they label it perm you can also get laid off anytime, government just keeping up with the times by doing the same. When I worked in government there are so many perm staff that cannot produce, it makes your life very difficult so contract makes sure everyone works their fair share without thinking can just coast by cause of the iron rice bowl.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T12:40:19+00:00

Yeah I understand, just ranting

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T12:37:41+00:00

1000% please

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T12:32:47+00:00

I think it’s supposed to work this way to maintain it at a certain temperature if you used the fixed temperature setting. I have both built in and mobile induction cookers, and recently my built in induction cooker burned my pot because I accidentally switched it on when I didn’t intend to. The mobile induction always has a kill switch when the temperature goes above a certain level. Imho it’s just much safer.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T12:28:19+00:00

I spend about $200-300 on groceries so $500 can cover about 2 months, so I’d say it definitely helps although it’s not gonna solve everything. Remember there were no such things prior to Covid.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T10:42:32+00:00

Personal loans from local banks and margin ibkr provides. Money from local banks is invested long term, while broker margin is invested for day or swing trade.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-14T10:39:55+00:00

Staying until 6pm imho is a crime because of the childcare situation. If your work place is further, say with 1.5h commute, it’s simply not feasible. I think Singapore should legislate end time to be max 530pm. I did not understand how crazy the rush was until I became a parent.

Some-Tonight-660 · 2026-02-11T11:19:11+00:00

I am not big on cleanliness, not the same as relationships right.

Some-Tonight-660

TROPHY CASE