passed the job interview but cannot apply for EP due to Covid-19

5POSTS

5 years ago

Hi,

I joined an interview with a company in Singapore. Everything went well.
After two weeks, I didn鈥檛 get any response so I contact HR to ask about interview result.
HR said the hiring manager selected me and now she鈥檚 waiting for approval process from director and will send an official offer to me.

Then, there is an announcement from MOM that the employment pass has been suspended.
I contacted HR again to ask about this issue. HR said I cannot apply for employment pass due to the new policy and don鈥檛 know when MOM will reopen the application. She said I need to wait and I should consider other offers if I have.

I鈥檓 very confused about this. Should I gave up for this position? I prepared a lot for this interview and took 3 rounds of interviews. Does HR select other candidates who stay in Singapore and withdraw my application? Hiring manager was very nice with me but he said this position is urgent.

Please help to advise me what I should do to get this job?

P.S. I鈥檓 in Japan

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rey619 New member

7POSTS

5 years ago

Hi Mike,

How many years of experience do you have and is the job related to the Software industry?

Mike tsuda New member

5POSTS

5 years ago

rey619 wrote:
Hi Mike,

How many years of experience do you have and is the job related to the Software industry?

Hi. Thanks for your responses.
It鈥檚 not Software industry. The job is in R&D function. I鈥榲e just graduated Ph.D with 3 year experience in R&D institute during my study. My background quite fits with that job but I stay in japan where is classified as high risk countries.聽

Faraz Subhani Member

18POSTS

5 years ago

That is the issue bro, currently, Singapore is in no favour of getting expats from high or even moderate risk countries, plus the recent rise in community cases will make it even more worse, but stay positive, things will change, wish u luck.

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15644POSTS

5 years ago

The HR person you talked to is right: They currently cannot even apply for your work pass - and without one you cannot start work. Since nobody knows when the restriction will be lifted, you can only decide for yourself whether you want to wait until then or accept another job offer elsewhere.
You could also ask the employer how long they are willing to wait and keep the job for you.

Shekhz Singapore Expert

969POSTS

5 years ago

Just to be practical, you may interview but every employer will eventually tell u the same thing, they can鈥檛 get you a pass. This is temporary, SG Govt had to take this bold decision to help stop the spread of Covid, cases are spiking each day now. High risk countries have increased undetected/ asymptomatic cases, if borders open up, the risk of spreading it are high. Stay safe, wait for things to settle down, jobs will come up, apply when things are better and you can move to SG with no such risks conditionally attached to you.

Mike tsuda New member

5POSTS

5 years ago

Thanks for your response.
I鈥檓 able to wait for this position, but not sure whether the employer can wait for it or not.

Shekhz Singapore Expert

969POSTS

5 years ago

Mike tsuda wrote:
Thanks for your response.
I鈥檓 able to wait for this position, but not sure whether the employer can wait for it or not.

Understand, the only way you get that answer is by speaking with the employer. Have a candid chat to see if they keen to have you onboard. End of the day, it鈥檚 your competence versus every other candidate.

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