Profiles
TAG | career opportunities
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Singapore versus Hong Kong
3 Comments | Posted by Chris Jay in Careers, Commerce and Industry, Financial Services
Are Hong Kong and Singapore countries/markets really so comparable?
As an expat who has lived in Hong Kong and now Singapore I am often asked which I prefer; and indeed how similar they are. I wanted to put an end to this long-running debate and flatly suggest that whilst there are many similarities to these two global financial hubs they are indeed more different than they are similar!
Yes, they both are islands; and yes the majority of their business is through financial services and exports. Whilst our Morgan McKinley businesses are very similar and closely linked in sector and in size, I find that culturally the two countries are incomparable.
Singapore certainly has a better pollution record and most of its high rise towers have views across the island, unlike Hong Kong. Having said that, the east coast of Singapore is a good example of a booming shipping industry with many tankers parked within touching distance its beaches (many an expat is afraid of dipping in these waters for this reason) and the Indonesian forest burning in late summer creates a smog, but it’s still not a patch on the murky air of Hong Kong.
While Singaporeans officially speak Mandarin and the Hong Kong Chinese speak Cantonese, English is widely spoken in both locations. However, the standard is generally higher in Singapore – it’s more difficult to get around Hong Kong without knowing a word of English.
Some might say that Singapore is a boring place, with little to do, and a rather clinical feel, compared to its more vibrant neighbors – however this is definitely not the case. Singapore is an arts and cultural club with plenty to do and a relaxed atmosphere. Its transport system and legal framework are incredibly sound and the standard of living is voted as one of the best across the globe. I have to admit family life in Singapore is indeed a dream, and although Hong Kong has the weather seasons (something I miss), the humidity in Singapore is not a patch on the sticky feel of summer in Hong Kong.
One thing’s for sure both economies are in growth mode again and low interest rates and problems in Europe have seen the two countries develop their economies at a similar rate – they are both extremely open and competitive markets.
In banking, Hong Kong has traditionally been viewed as an equities hub, whereas Singapore holds the large sway of debt and fixed income markets. On the same note the majority of the front office sits in Hong Kong, and the infrastructure and controlling (back office) hubs typically sit in Singapore.
Our Hong Kong and Singapore teams work hard to attract global talent and as key financial centres they are both in constant competition with each other. As you can see, I for one prefer life in Singapore but would be interested to hear others’ views on their experience of living and working in these two great but very different locations.
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Getting the job you really want
0 Comments | Posted by Guest in Careers, Commerce and Industry, Financial Services
It’s Sunday afternoon. Suddenly you have that sinking feeling…tomorrow’s Monday. Do you dread Monday mornings? If so, you may be in the wrong job.
Where do you start?
If you were about to embark on a road trip you would probably check your car’s engine and make sure the MOT is up to date. You would have a destination in mind and would plan your route on a map. Starting a job search is much the same. It involves assessing your talents, skills, interests and values, and knowing what you would like to achieve before you retire.
Begin with the end in mind
Ask yourself the big questions. What do you want to achieve? How would you like to be remembered? What will you say to your grandchildren about your successes in life? What were the highlights? This will give you the road map to you getting your dream job.
Perform your own MOT
Gathering information about yourself will give you knowledge and power. Ask your friends and family to give you feedback on yourself. Understanding what makes you get up in the morning and what is important to you is essential to narrow down and target potential employers. This is a lifelong process and your goals may change as your personal circumstances change. There are many questionnaires and tools available on the internet that may also assist with your self analysis.
Look back… not in anger
Everything you have done in work, education, sports, leisure, etc. required at some point or another, activities you loved and some you did not. How much satisfaction you derive from your work is directly linked to the percentage of activities you enjoy. Think about what you do well. When did you exceed your own expectations? What was the last challenge you overcame? How did that make you feel? Understanding your accomplishments, your value set and your strengths will give you the edge when meeting prospective employers.
Investing in this self analysis, even if it means extra time and effort, will help you eliminate those jobs that are not a good fit. There is a direct correlation between job satisfaction and the quality of one’s personal life and emotional health. Understanding yourself will help you “sell” yourself for the right job. Best of luck!
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APAC Salary Guides for 2011
1 Comment | Posted by Chris Jay in Careers, Commerce and Industry, Financial Services, IT
Our latest salary guides offer market intelligence on hiring and remuneration across the financial services and commercial sectors in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Sydney.
We hope you find these reports informative. If you have any questions, feedback or would like to discuss any of the findings, please contact us directly.
2011 Singapore Salary Guide
Singapore’s reputation as a stable economy, with excellent infrastructure and talented professionals, has seen it pull out of the economic downturn fairly quickly and move into a prudently optimistic recruitment market. The city-state’s recovery is solid rather than stellar, but many sectors are now rapidly expanding and enjoying robust growth.
2011 Hong Kong Salary Guide
Across the board, 2010 was a year of robust economic recovery for Hong Kong. The city’s unique position as the gateway to China meant most firms were looking at expansion. This growth is set to continue in 2011 and companies’ hiring patterns will match their expansion plans. Businesses are not only growing their core areas; many are also investing in new areas to take advantage of the strong economy.
2011 Japan Salary Guide
There have been significant impacts on the Japanese market following the country’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in March. As the country works to recover, it is going to become increasingly important to sustain the Japanese economy. As well as looking after our own employees, we will be supporting companies in meeting their immediate resourcing needs, to ensure that where possible, their business operations can continue.
2011 Sydney Salary Guide >>
Overall, the Australian economy is solid in an ever-changing world. The nation came out of the global financial crisis at an impressive rate in 2010 compared to other advanced economies. There is a sense of stronger business and consumer confidence as 2011 progresses, which will naturally lead to investment in business growth and the people needed to implement expansion strategies.
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Career advice top three career tips for 2011
0 Comments | Posted by Tricia Liverpool in Careers, Commerce and Industry, Financial Services
As a New Year is upon us – a time when people often re-think their career plans, I thought I would start my “career advice” on dos and don’ts for changing jobs.
The number of times I have come across people who tell me straight away that their main motivation is money, makes me cringe particularly when they have just started their new role! Also, those who expect perks before they have delivered anything amuse me the most …..
Yes, the job market is looking up particularly in Singapore, with salaries likely to increase this year, and bonuses similarly rising. However instead of asking what your employer can do for you, think what you can do for your employer in order to achieve such rewards.
So in summary here are my top three career tips:
1. Do think about what it is you are looking for in a role i.e. a new skill set; a broader scope; exposure to bigger/better products/services/clients. This makes it easier for a recruiter to ‘sell’ your capabilities to a potential employer to find a suitable and more importantly, a long term match.
2. Do treat your meeting with your recruitment consultant as a trial run for an interview with the client. E.g. be on time; dress appropriately; come prepared with relevant questions and sell yourself. If you are running late, try calling/texting to advise rather than assuming it’s OK.
3. Do think about timing when leaving/assuming a new position. There is nothing worse than a CV that spells “job hopper” and whilst you may think you have valid reasons for leaving each job every 3 months, an employer won’t understand – trust me!
Even if you just decide to adopt these three points when looking for a new job this year I am sure that you will have considerably more opportunity and also increased respect in the market. Singapore is very small and the best candidates tend to have a great reputation in it!
