I have no issue with any employment agents..eversince I was introduced to an employment agency - CAREER SEARCH for the first time by my ex-fiance in 1995.
Back in 90s, things were totally different with employment agencies thru' my observation..I remember how easy I could get a job..Just visit an employment agency, fill up the form, wait for awhile, meet the agent, wait for few minutes while the agent talked to the client, the agent gave the workplace address, off you go either on the same day or the next day to start work..Might it be a temporary or contractual or permanent..Simple as that..Those days were one of the greatest days in my life living in Singapore.
Unfortunately after the September 11's attack, I observed things start to change slowly..More employment agencies were set up in Singapore..Some were more like headhunters & talent scout..Very the foreign English kinda employment agencies..The known locally employment agencies either disappeared after few years thereafter or drowning in the midst of these foreign employment agencies..
Then, I heard rumours about some employment agencies being colour-barred or biased toward locals who are not Chinese..At first, I was disbelieved of such thingy but as years gone by, I have no comment..I could only sighed when an agent called me up with regards of my job application & the first question she asked,"Do you speak Mandarin? Can you read & translate Chinese script?"..
Before I answered her questions, I asked her a question,"This is for what company???" & she answered,"An MNC which its headquarter is in Geneva Switzerland..why?"..I just sighed & replied,"I don't speak Mandarin so obviously I cannot read & translate Chinese script..Btw, why there's no such indication in the advertisement??"..She just responded,"Ok, thanks. Bye."..
I have had plenty similar experiences with other employment agents..A friend's sister had an experience with same question but she can speak Mandarin, read & translate Chinese script but the response she got,"Oh I see..You are not Chinese, right?? Our client needs a Chinese staff.." then the employment agent just hanged up..I was besides her when she received that call from an employment agent..We shook our heads & just giggled to such stupid individual..The resume clearly indicate the racial ethnicity..Maybe that employment agent thought this person does not speak Mandarin, read & can translate Chine scripts..indeed she got the wrong target..
#KenaBukuDenganRuas😂😂😂😂😂
#NabeyToThatEmploymentAgent
Few of my girlfriends just advised me to apply direct to the company rather than wasting time with employment agents who after September 11's attack, really changed 360 degree around..This is indeed the effect aftermath..Muslims are being discriminated worldwide..Not only in that attack venue..but everywhere we, Muslims go..
That's why at times, I just hide my religious faith..Irrelevant to the job I am applying..Just uses an English nickname "Shasha" (new version of Sasha & Sascha) each time I travelled to non-Islamic countries..Not that I am not proud to be a Muslim but try not to add more unnecessary complications not only at the immigration in those airport!
Back to employment agents..
Indeed 99% of my job applications thru' employment agencies are as if being ignored so currently, I rarely submit applications thru' them..Gone are those great days when employment agents were great way to get a job for me..
The scenario in Singapore workforce getting worst each day eversince the "flooding" of other Asian labourers from Philippines, Myanmar, China, Vietname & etc whom many companies considered as cheaper labours than hiring local Singaporeans..without considering the currency conversion - SGD to those foreign Asian currency..
Sadly too - nowadays, I witnessed more & more jobs were given to employment agents to handle the screening & selecting job candidates..about 90% jobs in Singapore are thru' employment agencies which indirectly means, not much job for someone like me despite I was born in Singapore..I am not saying this bcoz I am currently unemployed but telling the truth is what I chose to do in life..
As for now, I just wait & wait for miracle to happens..Either I get a new job which I really hope NO naggy people prompting at me..OR..a chance to migrate to overseas - out of Singapore..just anywhere I can start life anew positively..Seriously, I had enough of Singapore, willing to give up my Singapore citizenship & just leave..but I cannot leave right now unless miracle happens..bcoz I have no money to live somewhere else!😭😭😭😭😭
This is my story..truly..employment agencies..Sayonara..Au Revoire..Ciao..
