自從發佈取得永久居民 (Permanent Resident)的那篇文章之後，陸續收到一些來自各方的詢問，想了解如何來到新加坡工作，並開啟取得PR的第一步。
在這裡，讓我回到2022年，分享我當時面試準備及取得新加坡工作機會的過程。
文章目錄｜Table of contents
2022年拿到新加坡Offer的面試經驗
撰寫履歷
當時在英國Bayes Business School就讀碩士的時候，學校的職涯輔道中心其實提供了很多資源，舉凡如何撰寫履歷＆Cover Letter、如何建造一個專業的LinkedIn頁面、履歷一對一諮詢、模擬面試、如何進行專業的networking等。相較台灣，海外學校似乎真的比較重視求職的技能，而不僅僅專注在學問的養成。或許身處競爭激烈的國際城市，懂得如何行銷自己也是其中重要的一環，這也是我覺得台灣學生比較吃虧的部分。
我的履歷在當時，就被學校的職涯教練不知道改過多少次，甚至向一些成功在海外工作的前輩們請益後，每一次履歷都還可以有大幅修正的空間，讓我發現原來還有這麼多可以優化的地方。如何在一頁A4大小的頁面，呈現出整個人生的精華，其實真的需要相當多的思考與琢磨，絕對不是只是按照事實羅列下來這麼簡單。
新加坡是個競爭相當激烈的地方，HR每天收到各國蜂擁而來的履歷。如果沒有在一個標準水平 (最基本的格式、排版及key words的掌握等等)，並有讓HR一眼注意到的亮點，很可能第一關就會被AI無情刷掉，不會有進到後續階段的機會。因此，首先確保自己的履歷是符合遊戲標準的，優秀的經歷才有進一步被看到的可能（可以上網搜尋海外各大商學院或MBA的履歷範本）。
履歷投遞
首先，先來談談我是如何透過自我準備拿到新加坡的offer。
當時投遞履歷採取的是海投策略。由於外國人在沒有身份的情況下，要獲得工作機會實在太困難了，所以當時是看到稍微符合期待，且與我過去經驗大致符合的工作機會，就會試試看。
除了LinkedIn外，新加坡主要的求職管道還有以下幾個選擇。
最後一個是比較針對財經領域的工作，我當時的headhunter也是在這裡看到我的履歷進而聯繫我的。
翻了一下之前的紀錄，在2021到2022年之間我大約申請了135份工作，總共取得3次面試及2次測驗的機會（一個是要我準備video interview，還有一個是要我做一個提案簡報），最終只獲得了一個offer——也是最後讓我來到新加坡的這個offer。
這裡我也整理了一份新加坡獵頭名單的資訊，有興趣到新加坡工作的朋友，可以點擊下方連結下載：
面試準備
由於覺得英文還不到即興發揮，也能表現自如的程度，當時準備的方式，是先上網蒐集面試必考的問題，土法煉鋼的把擬答寫下來，再一個一個背起來，背到就算緊張到腦袋一片空白，身體仍然可以直覺運作的程度。
如果擬答用英文寫不出來，那就先用中文打草稿，有時候英文寫不出來不代表是英文不好，而是可能用中文都不知道怎麼回答這個問題。所以針對這些必考題，一定要事先都思考過，防止突然被問到卻突然卡住的情境。
當時的方法雖然很耗時間，光擬答就不知道重新擬過幾回，再想辦法找人幫忙確認文法（當時還沒有AI這麼好用的工具），然後有空就是一直重複的朗讀跟背誦。那時幾乎是下班有力氣，或是放假的週末全都在重複做這些事。雖然一開始需要投注大量的時間和精力，但當你越來越了解自己，且經歷過越來越多的面試，會發現面試時的問題其實大概就是那些，後續的準備就會越來越快，也會回答得越來越好，在這個過程中逐漸建立起自己的信心。
土法煉鋼的缺點，就是沒有準備過的問題可能就會回答得不夠理想。但當時的我主要還在建立自己database以及把資料強制植入我腦中的階段，所以還沒什麼時間找真人做模擬面試，這是事後我認為可以加強的部分。
現在有了AI後，其實準備的過程會有效率許多。把寫好的擬答，丟到AI確認文法及優化答案，節省了很多自己摸索的過程，真的要好好利用AI這個強大的工具。
當時的我，雖然還是常常自我懷疑，但還是有練到一個面試時看起來比較有自信的程度。甚至連後來的line manager都說過：「怎麼感覺妳面試時的英文，比現在流利」。
熟能生巧，弄假直到成真（Fake it till you make it）。有時候其實我們是有實力的，但就差了那麼點自信，在這樣的情況下，想像自己是一個英文流利的跨國專業人士，或許能讓自己更有勇氣也說不定。
每天練習成為更好版本的自己，長期的淺移默化下，相信真的能夠漸漸成為那個自己嚮往的對象——畢竟沒有人一開始就能精通所有事物。
Practice makes perfect. Fake it till you make it.
面試過程
進入到面試的環節。最初是先收到headhunter的WhatsApp訊息，詢問我對這份工作的意願，然後就是初步的phone screening，確定有符合公司需要的基本條件。
通過headhunter初步的資格篩選後，正式的面試分為三個階段，分別是當時的line manager、投資長 (CIO)，以及最後的Group CEO。由於當時我人仍在台灣，所以都是線上面試。在確定要進入到正式的面試前，headhunter也會和我模擬面試，給我一些小小的提點及改進的建議。
第一階段和line manager的面試，主要是針對過去經驗的了解，結束後還有一個financial modelling建模的測驗，要我當天完成後寄回去給他。第二階段是和投資長面試，這部分是最為有挑戰的部分，問了最多我過去工作的經驗，以及許多投資的假設性問題 (我們投資長的風格是會一直挑戰你、刺激你進行更深度的思考，同時測試你在過程中的臨場反應及思考邏輯)。通過之後就到了最後與Group CEO的面試，當時最後一關headhunter說就是有點像走流程，主要是讓未來的大老闆見見你，因為用人主管已經做出聘用決定了，基本上Group CEO都是尊重。果然最後一關面試進行的最快也最為輕鬆。
給跨國求職者的建議
- 準備符合標準的履歷：
首先，履歷是最基礎的第一步，請先準備好一個符合基本規則的履歷，才有機會觸發後面的一連串流程。如果不知道怎麼開始，也歡迎找我聊聊。 - 建立專業的LinkedIn Page：
聽過幾個認為台灣人很優秀，而想要來台灣徵才的公司提過，台灣的104對這些海外企業根本是超級不便民，尤其是大部分還沒有英文版本，想要在此徵才根本不知道怎麼開始，且有在使用LinkedIn的台灣求職者似乎僅佔少數。因此，LinkedIn也是海外求職的基本必備，請先好好花時間建立自己的專頁，才有在國際上進一步曝光的機會。 - 面試準備及優化：
準備面試是條漫長且辛苦的過程，但也沒有一步登天的捷徑。所有的一切，都是透過和自己經年累月的對話，在更加了解自己以後，才能準備出最適合的完美答案。在準備的過程中，建議也可以多和業界的人聊聊（可以透過LinkedIn找人出來coffee chat），不但能確認自己前進的方向是否正確的，有時甚至可以得知許多不為人知的有用資訊。
➤ 關聯閱讀
Since publishing my article on obtaining Permanent Residency (PR), I’ve received a number of messages from readers asking how to start a career in Singapore—and how to take the first step towards securing PR.
So, let me take you back to 2022, and share how I prepared for interviews and ultimately secured my first job opportunity in Singapore.
How I Landed a Job Offer in Singapore in 2022
Crafting My CV
During my master’s at Bayes Business School in the UK, the careers centre provided extensive support—ranging from CV and cover letter writing, building a professional LinkedIn profile, one-to-one CV consultations, mock interviews, to networking guidance. Compared to Taiwan, overseas institutions place far greater emphasis on employability skills, not just academic achievement. In a highly competitive global environment, knowing how to position and present yourself is essential—something I feel many Taiwanese students are unfortunately less exposed to.
My CV went through countless revisions with career coaches, and even after seeking advice from seniors who had successfully built careers overseas, there was always room for improvement. It made me realise that crafting a strong CV is far more than listing facts—it is about distilling the essence of your experiences into a single A4 page. That requires clarity, strategy, and refinement.
Singapore is an intensely competitive market. HR teams receive applications from all over the world every day. Without meeting a certain baseline—clear formatting, strong structure, and well-chosen keywords—your CV may be filtered out before it is even seen by a human. Ensuring your CV meets this “entry standard” is critical; only then can your achievements truly be recognised.
Applying for Roles
At the time, I adopted a volume-based application strategy. As a foreign candidate without local status, securing opportunities is inherently challenging. So whenever I came across roles that broadly aligned with my expectations and experience, I applied.
In addition to LinkedIn, I used several major Singapore job platforms. eFinancialCareers is especially useful for finance roles; the headhunters reached out to me via this platform for my current job.
Looking back at my records, between 2021 and 2022 I applied for around 135 roles. This resulted in three interviews and two assessments (one video interview and one case presentation). In the end, I received just one offer—the one that brought me to Singapore.
I’ve also compiled a list of headhunters in Singapore—feel free to download it via the link below if you are interested in starting a new journey in Singapore:
Preparing for Interviews
At the time, I didn’t feel confident enough to speak English fluently under pressure. So my approach was simple but labour-intensive: I gathered common interview questions, wrote out my answers, and memorised them. I practised until, even when nervous or blanking out, my responses would come out almost instinctively.
If I couldn’t formulate an answer in English, I would first draft it in Chinese. Often, the difficulty wasn’t language—it was not yet having a clear answer. For common interview questions, it’s essential to think them through in advance to avoid being caught off guard.
This process was time-consuming. I rewrote answers repeatedly, asked others to check my grammar (this was before AI tools were widely available), and spent countless evenings and weekends rehearsing aloud. However, as I went through more interviews, I began to notice patterns—the questions were often similar. Preparation became faster, answers more refined, and confidence gradually built.
The downside of this method was that unexpected questions could still catch me off guard. At that stage, I was focused on building my internal “database” of answers, so I didn’t spend much time on live mock interviews—something I would recommend improving in hindsight.
Today, with AI, this process can be far more efficient. You can refine your answers, improve grammar, and optimise structure quickly. It’s a powerful tool—make full use of it.
Although I still experienced moments of self-doubt, I had practised enough to appear confident in interviews. In fact, my former line manager once remarked: “Your English seemed more fluent during the interview than it does now.”
Practice truly makes a difference. Sometimes, we already have the capability—we just lack confidence. In those moments, imagine yourself as a fluent, global professional. That mindset alone can give you the courage to perform. Over time, with consistent effort, you do become that person.
Practice makes perfect. Fake it till you make it.
The Interview Process
The process began with a WhatsApp message from a headhunter, gauging my interest, followed by an initial phone screening to assess basic fit.
After passing this stage, the formal interviews consisted of three rounds: with my line manager, the CIO, and finally the Group CEO. As I was based in Taiwan at the time, all interviews were conducted online. Prior to the formal rounds, the headhunter also conducted mock interviews and provided useful feedback.
The first round with the line manager focused on my past experience, followed by a financial modelling test to be completed on the same day.
The second round with the CIO was the most challenging. It involved deep dives into my previous work and a series of hypothetical investment scenarios. The CIO’s style was highly probing—constantly pushing for deeper thinking, testing both analytical ability and real-time reasoning.
The final round with the Group CEO was relatively straightforward. The headhunter described it as more of a formality—a chance for the senior leadership to meet me, as the hiring decision had largely been made. As expected, it was the shortest and most relaxed conversation.
Advice for Cross-Border Job Seekers
- Build a strong CV:
Your CV is the foundation. Without meeting basic standards, you won’t progress further. Start here—and if you’re unsure how, feel free to reach out. - Create a professional LinkedIn profile:
Several companies looking to recruit in Taiwan have noted how difficult it is to use local platforms like 104—especially without English interfaces. As a result, many rely heavily on LinkedIn. Having a strong LinkedIn presence is essential for international visibility. - Preparing thoroughly for interviews:
Interview preparation is a long and demanding process—there are no shortcuts. It requires ongoing self-reflection and clarity about your own experiences and motivations. During this process, I also recommend speaking with people in the industry—through coffee chats or LinkedIn outreach. Not only can this help validate your direction, but it often provides insights you won’t find elsewhere.
➤ Related Reads
- How I Landed My Ideal Offer in Competitive Singapore Using an Interview Deck
- Landing a Role in Singapore and Interview Prep 1.0
- My Singapore PR Journey: Myths, Tips, and Lessons Learned
3 comments
Really insightful—thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the valuable tips, really appreciate it! I hope I can secure a job in Singapore soon as well.
It’s getting really tough to secure an EP in Singapore these days. The competition is intense, and few companies are willing to sponsor visas anymore…