MNC or Semi-gov better?

[alatus]

Is it worth working for a reputable MNC on a contractual basis and receive much lesser benefits (lesser leave, lesser medical, no flexi benefits scheme, unknown PB) and only a miserable 0.5aws?

Or is it better to work for a semi-gov company who offers much better
benefits and much attractive bonuses? The annual bonuses (including PB and AWS if really honoured), is about 9k more than the MNC.

The role at the MNC is likely more hectic and its name and reputation may command a bit of respect in my resume, but the semi-gov one is more relax and stable. Both companies pay the same base salary. Both jobs are of IT nature; the one at MNC more of an engineering role, while the semi-gov more of an analyst role.

What would usually be a wiser decision? Would the reputation of and experience at a MNC really help in career advancement and job hopping? This is my first job as a fresh uni grad.

[warning]

Originally Posted by alatus

Would the reputation of and experience at a MNC really help in career advancement and job hopping? This is my first job as a fresh uni grad.

I was in your position and I chose MNC - no regrets since. And yes, it does help a lot. Singaporean employers are such brand-whores.

Originally Posted by alatus

Is it worth working for a reputable MNC on a contractual basis and receive much lesser benefits (lesser leave, lesser medical, no flexi benefits scheme, unknown PB) and only a miserable 0.5aws?

Or is it better to work for a semi-gov company who offers much better
benefits and much attractive bonuses? The annual bonuses (including PB and AWS if really honoured), is about 9k more than the MNC.

The role at the MNC is likely more hectic and its name and reputation may command a bit of respect in my resume, but the semi-gov one is more relax and stable. Both companies pay the same base salary. Both jobs are of IT nature; the one at MNC more of an engineering role, while the semi-gov more of an analyst role.

What would usually be a wiser decision? Would the reputation of and experience at a MNC really help in career advancement and job hopping? This is my first job as a fresh uni grad.

since you're a fresh grad, perhaps you should overlook short-term benefits for the moment and think about your long-term career path.

- what do you want to do for the next 10 years? don't think of job hopping at the moment.
- which position can fulfill my above goal?

then evaluate your options:
- is the mnc reputable enough if i do job hop?
- can the mnc provide me with career opportunities?
- semi-gov is a comfortable environment. will i get complacent in the cloud of politics?
- are the skills learned transferable when i job hop?

i don't know about you, but i do know that even if one start off with a low salary and you're good at what you do, companies will be paying you much more to take on your next role. good luck.

[alatus]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

since you're a fresh grad, perhaps you should overlook short-term benefits for the moment and think about your long-term career path.

- what do you want to do for the next 10 years? don't think of job hopping at the moment.
- which position can fulfill my above goal?

then evaluate your options:
- is the mnc reputable enough if i do job hop?
- can the mnc provide me with career opportunities?
- semi-gov is a comfortable environment. will i get complacent in the cloud of politics?
- are the skills learned transferable when i job hop?

i don't know about you, but i do know that even if one start off with a low salary and you're good at what you do, companies will be paying you much more to take on your next role. good luck.

I think I will eventually transit to become an analyst role. I'm not cut out for being a programmer. I can implement, but I like the ideas more than the actual implementation.

And you have hit the nail on the head! One of the biggest problem with the skills learnt at the semi-gov place is that I'm worried that the skills learnt there are not transferable! I'm just a middleman between their clients and vendors. How useful would this skill be?

[alatus]

Originally Posted by warning

I was in your position and I chose MNC - no regrets since. And yes, it does help a lot. Singaporean employers are such brand-whores.

Still MNC even for that massive OT that they warned you during the interview and the almost 9k lesser annual bonuses?

[warning]

Originally Posted by alatus

Still MNC even for that massive OT that they warned you during the interview and the almost 9k lesser annual bonuses?

If you're the ambitious type, its a good investment for the long run.
Your base salary + bonus will rise much, much faster than your peers if you know how to play the game right (i.e. network with the right people, "market" yourself a lot and even job hop).

I started at an MNC 14 years ago, have been with the same company all the way and my pay has increased from $2.8K to $16K today excluding bonus. I am just an above average performer or scholar. No regrets as my peers in civil service service are getting around $8K to $10K for the scholars. MNC also trach real business skills which are also more marketable

for passive minded non ambitious people, go civil sector. for ambitious people who take control of their career (i.e know what they want, build connections, seek opportunities) private sector especially mnc is the way to go. your pay will eclipse any civil servant of the same age if you play your cards right.

[alatus]

It is a contract role. Suppose I couldn't perform, my contract expires and the next employer will also suspect my ability since I wasn't recontracted. Does this then mean I will start from square one again?

Originally Posted by alatus

I think I will eventually transit to become an analyst role. I'm not cut out for being a programmer. I can implement, but I like the ideas more than the actual implementation.

And you have hit the nail on the head! One of the biggest problem with the skills learnt at the semi-gov place is that I'm worried that the skills learnt there are not transferable! I'm just a middleman between their clients and vendors. How useful would this skill be?

at the end of the day, it's just your cover letter and resume that will speak for itself. if you do have network contacts, it'll be much easier. in this case, you could easier state yourself as a manager, project manager or sales manager doing some kind of management between clients and vendors. something that gets you to the first interview.

when your contract expires, it's not the end yet. it's time for a better beginning. Use your networks or a recruiter to help you get the next better job.