According to a recent poll we conducted, most people agree with the government’s latest move to raise foreign worker levies in order to curb the influx of foreigners in Singapore.

However, is it really the best solution in the long run? Users of the JobsCentral Forum have an interesting variety of opinions on the issue. Botakboy89 agrees with the government that “if access to labour is too easy, companies will have little incentive to invest in productivity improvements, which will affect (their) efforts to upgrade the skills and wages of lower-income Singaporean workers”.

On the other hand, Whistler thinks that “they (employers) will go overseas if their operations become too expensive, meaning less jobs for Singaporeans, especially if Singaporeans don't have the right skill sets”.

Other hot topics on the JobsCentral Forum currently include:

females reach certain age, hard to find job? is it a bad thing 2 keep chnging job?
How to NOT put on weight @ work
Too old for a degree?
Should i call up the interviewer?

So check out these hot topics and share what YOU think with other jobseekers and working professionals today!

An anonymous reader posted a lengthy and rather thought-provoking comment on one of our articles, basically pointing out how difficult it is to be a teacher here in Singapore.

We've since reproduced the comment on the JobsCentral Forum, and here are some extracts from the comment:

"All teaching have more or less taken a backseat to administrative work and courses that 'enhance your ability to teach'. Clocked in hours for courses, sharings, etc (not including contact time meeting and level meetings and departmental meetings and a now special 'blocked' time for sharing amongst your level) is 100 hours a year..."

"Preformance bonuses are based on teaching, contributions to school, as well as...yes administrative work. No clear weightage is given and so each school will weigh things differently. So there may be a principal who decides that going to a meeting to meet about what you have talked about in your last meeting is more important than attending to a child's emotional needs and mark you down for it..."

Is teaching in Singapore really that bad?

Click here to read the comment in its entirety, and if you have your own observations to make about the profession, do share them with us on the JobsCentral Forum too.

"Some consultancies do not charge candidates because employers will absorb the fees for every suitable candidate referred to them after the professional consultants have selected and interviewed the candidate.

If you go through those agencies that do not charge an agent fee, you are also widening your job search, and also get to understand the company which you intend to join, before going for a second interview."
says JobsCentral Forum user passionclaire07

"For me personally, I feel that going into a job site to find jobs would be easier. It is because the job site posts many jobs, and you would be able to send your resume to employers and apply directly for the jobs you are interested in. However, when you send your resume over to job agencies, you will be assigned a consultant to contact you on the jobs available."
says JobsCentral Forum user dynastypro

What do you think? Share your opinion with us on the JobsCentral Forum!

We are 1! Over the past year, JobsCentral Community has introduced popular features such as our very own Salary Calculator, the Retrenchment Watch, and the JobsCentral Forum. While we rack our brains to bring you the best, we would also like to hear from you!

Here's what to do:

1. Tell us what you like most about JobsCentral Community and why
Eg: “I love JobsCentral’s Salary Calculator because it’s my bargaining chip! And my boss was convinced too! ”

2. Also include what you hope to see on JobsCentral Community in the future
Eg: “More bargaining chips please!”

The person who submits the best entry wins the latest iPod shuffle VoiceOver!

Submit your entry on the JobsCentral Forum now!

Contest ends 30th June 2009.

"There may be some temporary jobs that do not require your resume, but in some application forms, you need to fill in your personal details such as educational qualifications, hobbies, personal particulars etc." says
JobsCentral Forum user cookieguy

"It might be good to put a detailed resume as it might be the 'ticket' to a potential full-time job in future.It might be a chance with the company that you are "temp-ing" at, else, it could be with another company where your existing company happens to be on good terms with, and intro you in." says JobsCentral Forum user Deedlith

"The answer is yes, temp jobs do require a detailed resume as employers will evaluate you based on the same criteria as permanent staff hiring...your resume must reflect your skills to fulfill the requirements.Be sure to keep track of your key achievements to show the value that you bring to the company." says
JobsCentral Forum user David Russel

Got additional advice to share? Share it with us on the JobsCentral Forum!

"For me, my boss has been understanding as I've only recently been promoted to parent status, and my boss has a kid herself so she knows what it's like, especially the first couple of years...” - says JobsCentral Forum user edms

“My previous boss was the kind who didn’t like people to leave on time, she would say "time watcher". I seldom leave on time because my workload was heavy. Good thing I didn’t put my kids in childcare if not I would have to leave early.” - says JobsCentral Forum user ineedwork

Do you have similar experiences to share? Do so on our JobsCentral Forum!

"I do get phone calls from job agency or the company itself. But it is all simple and straight forward question. They usually will ask you to go down personally as they want to see how you look and how confident are you when you face them..."
says JobsCentral Forum user dew168

"Phone interview is first round in interview process so that you must pass this step. Phone interview focus on basic requirement of candidates such as education and experiences. Some phone interview questions such as 1. Introduce yourself, 2. Inform purpose of phone interview, 3. Can you tell me a little about yourself?..." says JobsCentral Forum user ngodavinet

If you have experiences to share about phone interviews or would like to ask questions about them, check out this topic on the JobsCentral Forum!

"...there are people out there who can really use money as their 'push' factor to get to work and get through it. It's amazing in a way cause I can never do that." - says JobsCentral Form user yellowtooth

"This really depends on each individual. Money is a make or break, but ultimately, job satisfaction is still the number one priority for me..." says JobsCentral Forum user absolutelybimbotica

What do you have to say about this topic?

Tell us on the JobsCentral Forum!

"Because foreign talents had helped Singapore to grow financially and frankly speaking, we could not have done so well if it's not for foreign talents. If we were to retrench them before Singapore just because there is a crisis, would it be fair?

How about in the long run? After Singapore emerge from the crisis? Would foreign talents still possess the security to work in Singapore? They won't. Because they'd think, "At times when Singapore is going through crisis, I'd be the first to get retrenched."

In a short run, it may seem like a great idea to retrench foreign talents first and keep jobs for Singaporeans. But in the long run, how does that help?" -By JobsCentral Forum user LLL_77

"What makes Singapore so great in my opinion is its open-minded attitude to foreign employees. Many qualified foreign employees are attracted to Singapore, and by having a larger pool of employees, it's easier for Singaporean businesses to find qualified employees.

Bottom line: as a company manager, I would rather have the option of attracting qualified employees from all over the world, including Singapore." -By JobsCentral Forum user pgcdias

Share your views on the issue with us on the JobsCentral Forum!

"I've been a student care teacher before and um, honestly when I started the job, I disliked kids. And kids can be a pain totally when they don't listen to you. However, I learn the trick that when you are closer to them, you are able to control them better. And it's really heartwarming when your students start to confide in you.I think the best takeaway is when you successfully become more than a teacher to them and a dependable person for them. I don't really hate kids that much after working with them :) "
-says JobsCentral Forum user yellowtooth

"The most precious takeaways is experience. No matter which company or field you are in, it always taught u in different aspects - communication / relationships among co-workers / leadership / management etc. All these can be your next job's "mirror".The most important is when you are in an organisation, you must try to mix around with co-workers and the environment will be more heart-warming."
-says JobsCentral Forum user maple

Share your own takeaways with us on the JobsCentral Forum!