Summary:

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has included an additional question in the Employment Pass (EP) online application form if employers declare that the candidate is applying to transfer to a branch, affiliate or subsidiary of the EP sponsoring entity in Singapore. The response will determine if the family members of an intra-corporate transferee (ICT) is eligible for Dependant’s Passes or Long Term Visit Passes and if the ICT can pursue further employment in Singapore.

Key Point:

• Intra-corporate transferees (ICT) are employment pass (EP) holders, and must have worked for their company for at least one year before being posted to the branch, affiliate or subsidiary in Singapore.
• ICT employees are limited to a 3-year term that may be extended for up to 2 additional years, for a total term not exceeding 5 years.
• This update is triggered when employers declare in the EP online application form that the candidate is an overseas ICT under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or an applicable Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Family members of an ICT are not eligible for Dependant’s Passes or Long-Term Visit Passes, except where they are specifically covered by an applicable FTA and meet the prevailing criteria for consideration.
• An ICT is allowed entry into Singapore on a temporary basis, for a period strictly limited to the provision under the applicable FTA. An ICT is also generally not eligible for future employment or for permanent residency in Singapore upon the expiry/termination of their work pass.

In Detail:

This is a new condition imposed by the MOM on an EP application via the ICT-route. If the candidate is assessed by the MOM to be qualified as an ICT, the MOM may further request for the employer to download the ICT Declaration Form from the following URL, get it signed by the candidate and thereafter submit the completed form to the MOM for further review:

https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/services-forms/passes/declaration-to-work-in-singapore-as-overseas-intracorporate-transferee.pdf

Per the MOM’s guidance, the ICT Declaration Form must be downloaded and completed using a PDF reader so that the declaration clauses can be generated. Accordingly, declaration clauses should include the following, among others:

1. The candidate cannot bring his/her family into Singapore on Dependant’s Passes or Long-Term Visit Passes, except where they are specifically covered by an applicable FTA and meet the prevailing criteria for consideration.
2. The candidate can only work in Singapore on a temporary basis, for a period strictly limited to the provision under the applicable FTA.
3. The candidate is also generally not eligible for future employment or for permanent residency in Singapore upon the expiry/termination of his/her work pass.

If the candidate is expected to be transferred to Singapore from an overseas entity on a permanent basis and/or to be joined by their family in Singapore, the employer should consider applying for the EP via the job advertising route, or by relying on other applicable ground for exemption from the job advertising requirement (e.g., company size, salary). Accordingly in order for the MOM to assess the EP application as an non-ICT case, the employer should not declare that the candidate is an overseas ICT in the EP online application form. The MOM has confirmed that this would not be considered as a false declaration.

If the employer does not meet the job advertising exemption, the employer must advertise the job position on MyCareersFuture.sg for a minimum of 28 days and consider all candidates fairly for the role before putting in an EP application.

Conclusion:

The tightening of the regulation for an EP application via the ICT-route further reinforces the MOM’s goal in the eventual building of a Singapore core among employers and have fair employment practices. Despite the prevalence of employers using the ICT route to obtain EPs, this change is likely to lead to more employers being less inclined to apply for EPs via the ICT-route and instead go through the normal process of advertising on MyCareersFuture.sg.

The post MOM clarifies differences between ICT, other EP holders appeared first on D3 Connections.

The cover letter is often what helps your application stand out from a stack of similarly qualified candidates. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your cover letter, and secure that job interview.

Keep It Short

Yes, you want to toot your own horn and show that you’re better qualified than most, if not all, other candidates. Odds are, you’ll be up against countless other applicants, and the recruiter will be sorting through their applications, as well. Keep your cover letter short and to the point by staying on topic. Skip the life stories and cut straight to what makes you good for that particular job.

Some companies set a word limit for cover letters, which will help you remain concise and focused. If the organization you’re applying for doesn’t clarify a word limit, you’ll do best to limit yourself to between 200 and 300 words. Most hiring managers won’t spend more than a minute reading over your cover letter, so you must highlight why you’re the best candidate for the job as quickly and as straightforward as possible.

Realistically, some hiring managers may only read your cover letter. If he or she isn’t impressed, your resume may not get a glance. Some candidates make the mistake of viewing the cover letter as “just another piece of fluff.” More often than not, spending extra time crafting a clear, concise statement that strongly emphasizes why you want to work for the company you’re applying to will greatly increase your odds of landing an interview.

Avoid Awkward Or Formal Language

Rather than brown nosing and communicating in a way that you’ll never use while actually on the job, use a more conversational tone. This will help you seem more confident, as well as help you keep it short. Your cover letter should show that you’re relatable and, fundamentally, human. Avoid overly formal statements that sound like they were crafted by a computer program, emotionless android, or pretentious college kid.

Of course you want to convey a tone of professionalism, but there’s a fine line between sounding professional and coming across as overly mechanical. Don’t be afraid to show emotion in the opening line of your cover letter. Convey your excitement for applying to the position and be sure to emphasize just how much you want to work for the organization.

When it comes to avoiding awkward language, you’ll benefit from having a third party read your cover letter before submitting it. Even if you’ve read and re-read your statement a hundred times, you’re likely missing a few things. Another set of eyes might quickly pick up awkward phrasing that will detract from the overall effectiveness of your statement.

Explain Your Value Proposition

Explain how you, as a candidate, will benefit the company or manager. Why are you good for this role? What relevant experience do you bring to the table? This is your chance to sell yourself. Don’t miss the opportunity to let the hiring manager know why you’re the best person for the job.

Avoid statements such as, “I know you must decide between a number of candidates that are likely more qualified than myself.” While you might think it shows humility, statements like these actually undermine your efforts to land an interview by making you seem squeamish and unsure of yourself. Hiring managers are looking for qualified candidates, sure, but they also want to know they’re getting someone that’s confident in what they can contribute.

In other words, the hiring manager wants to know how you’ll help his or her organization increase productivity, improve employee efficiency, minimize daily run rate, or otherwise benefit the company’s bottom line. Your cover letter should clearly communicate how you candidacy will contribute toward these ends.

Show You’ve Done Your Research

What is it about working for this company that attracts you? What have you gleaned about their products, services, and business model? Especially if you’re applying to multiple positions, you must show the hiring manager that you’re actually interested in the position for which you’re being considered.

If you’re serious about landing an interview, take the time to thoroughly examine the company’s website. Then use a line or two in your statement to highlight anything that grabbed your attention. Genuine interest is easy to differentiate from feigned curiosity. Blanket statements that convey your “love” for the organization as a whole won’t do much to help your case for an interview spot.

Be specific when bringing up initiatives or projects that have caught your interest. Hiring managers love to find candidates that will “hit the ground running.” Demonstrating a working knowledge of the company’s mission and direction will be much more likely to catch the hiring manager’s interest and increase your odds of landing an interview.

Entice & Engage With A Call-To-Action

In marketing, there’s something called a call-to-action. It often appears at the end of an ad, and is what makes someone act. For example, it can be a statement that entices the user to click through to the company’s website or call the listed 800 number to learn more.

Give recruiters a reason to look into you further, perhaps by checking out your LinkedIn profile or personal blog (if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for). Your goal is to entice the hiring manager to call you in for an interview because he or she is curious to learn more about what you bring to the table.

You should also communicate when, and how, you expect to follow up on your application. Telling the hiring manager that you’re adamant about getting in touch in the very near future will show that you’re serious about securing an interview.

Close Strong And Start Prepping For Your Interview

The closing statement of your cover letter is perhaps it’s most important element. Be strong and confident. Leave the hiring manager brimming with excitement at the prospect of bringing you in for an interview. Broadcasting your confidence and genuine interest in your cover letter will significantly increase your odds of securing an interview.

Show the hiring manager that you actually want the position and that you’re aware of the skills and personal qualities you possess. After all, you should know you’re capable of performing the job at a high level if you decide to apply in the first place. Make the hiring manager feel like you’re the best candidate available before you’ve even had a chance to meet in person.

The post Cover Letter Tips To Land An Interview appeared first on D3 Connections.