Careers in Asia

International mobility implies change, separation, discovery and adaptation. In this process, it is important to exchange: share one's enthusiasms, comfront ideas, questions and doubts. Some may do so with their colleagues & friends. Some may benefit from the support of a coach, a trainer or an expert. A third way is to find support from a peer-mentor who is ready to share his experience, provide support and guidance. 

Within the framework  of international mobility, mentoring is a solution taht is suitable to a variety of situations. Within the company, a mentor may act as a facilitator, not only regarding the adaptation to the new job and new environment, but also concerning the relations with the Head quarters and career management. Out of the company, mentoring can facilitate mobility and the discovery of a new life in the host country. It can be a way to support an individual in his job search or on his business start up project. It can also be suitable for a manager on his discovery journey of new cultural codes and management parctices in his company. 

The mentoring project

We are launching an initiative in order to promote mentoring among members of Dualexpat. If you want to participate to this initiative, be it as a mentor or as a mentee, please simply join our mentoring group or send us an e-mail

The NTUC, by the voice of Labour Chief Lim Swee, is reported to be advocating an economic policy that would still be enough foreigners friendly not to compromise the country's global competiveness but would provide Singaporean with privilege.

As Singapore growth paces down and the singaporean society gets more mature, there is a visible tension amongst Singaporeans who want more visible signs of what's for them in the development of their country. While the general economic model, based on facilitating Foreign capital investment, is not questioned, the increasing number of foreign workers is seen as having a double side impact on Singaporeans daily life. On one hand, they consider they are increasingly competing with foreign workers on the job market. On the other hand, they feel the pressure of speculation, linked to the rapid growth of the population, feeding inflation and Real Estate prices.

As expatriation often equates to either high workload or remoteness, or both, it may not be considered the best period to resume studies not to say undertake an MBA. But with the development of especially designed distance learning programmes, this conventional perspective could well prove all wrong. While such programs suffer a number of limitations according to the brick & Mortar afficionados, their current organization, based on case studies and remote team collaboration, might well propel them as a key tool for candidates looking for flexibility as well as a mean to develop virtual team management skills.

Contrary to conventional thinking, distance learning MBA do not equate with unrecognized, poorly rated, cheap or uneasy to attend programs. They are already very popular in countries like UK, the USA and particularly India where they already attract millions of students and are considered a must in order to meet the needs of an immense students population. Far from being second brand diplomas, distance learning MBAs are, for some, offered by top notch institutions, where candidates have to go through the same selection process (and pay the same fees) no matter they attend the on campus or the distance learning program.

Despite risks of increasing talent shortages as it's population ages, Japan remains reluctant to open it's labour market to immigrants. As a result, the country becomes less attractive for investors, both japanese and foreign, who prefer places like Hong kong and Singapore.

Despite being comfronted to risks of talent shortages because of it's aging population, Japan hasn't yet accomplished it's revolution towards encouraging immigration. The country actually chooses to do the opposite, encouraging both foreign workers and graduates from it's universities, to return home and tightening the conditions to access it's labour market.

For the first time in 50 years, the number of registered foreigners fell in 2009. The overall Foreign population hence represents 1,71% of Japan's population of 127,5 Millions.

In the last MBA ranking established by the Financial Times, most of the best ranks are unsurprisingly being trusted by American and British institutions; the London Business School leading ahead of Wharton, Harvard, Stanford and the french-Singaporean Insead. Institutions from the Asia Pacific area are progressing: 9 are amongst the 100 top MBA.

In it's last Quarterly report, the Hudson cabinet laid emphasis on the consolidation of hiring expectations in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. With additional power on the side of job seekers and increased difficulties to retain talents, a majority of respondents indicate that they are likely to make counter offers, mainly by increasing basic salaries, in order to retain employees who would resign to join other companies.

SINGAPORE- In its last quarterly report on Singapore employment market trends, the recruiting cabinet Hays was emphasizing the switch occuring on the marketplace with additional power for job searchers to select their job of preference and to negotiate their conditions of employment.

INDONESIA- South East Asian countries are vying fiercely for attracting foreign investment in order to spur growth, create jobs, and enable bold development in strategic areas. Once a country imposing tight limitations, Indonesia is now reviewing it's investment rules to make it easier to invest in the country.

MALAYSIA - The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, has eventually unveiled details of his New Economic Model for Malaysia. In a recent business conference, he announced his country's ambition to join the group of developped nations within 10 years, planning to more than double the $7000 per capita income of today through sustained growth, attracting foreign investments and boosting productivity.

Australia tightened yesterday it's migration rules in an effort to slow the inflow of foreign students attending short and low level education programs in hope to settle in the country, and to reemphasize the need to preferably welcome engineers and doctors.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans said about 20,000 overseas applications have been rejected, and new rules would require better english skills and target the best and the brightest.