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Originally Posted by Unregistered

i would like to work in the private sector but the problem is i've yet to come across any companies hiring fresh grads for HR executive positions! so i was wondering if it's advisable to start in the public sector and then switch to private after getting 2-3 years experience (since most HR jobs posted on job street require at least 2 years experience)?

Why not try out for internships at those MNCs? Or apply for the MA programmes. Chances are, should you enter the public sector, you will not go out to the private after 2-3 years. Not if you are willing to take a pay cut.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Why not try out for internships at those MNCs? Or apply for the MA programmes. Chances are, should you enter the public sector, you will not go out to the private after 2-3 years. Not if you are willing to take a pay cut.

MA programmes at MNCs are ridiculously difficult to get into..

Pardon me but with 2-3 years of relevant experience, wouldn't it be easier for me to negotiate a better pay package? or at the very least, be able to command a salary that's equivalent to my last drawn at a ministry/stat board/glc etc? Am I wrong to think that HR skill sets are transferrable?

Please do correct me if I'm wrong!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

MA programmes at MNCs are ridiculously difficult to get into..

Pardon me but with 2-3 years of relevant experience, wouldn't it be easier for me to negotiate a better pay package? or at the very least, be able to command a salary that's equivalent to my last drawn at a ministry/stat board/glc etc? Am I wrong to think that HR skill sets are transferrable?

Please do correct me if I'm wrong!

HR skill sets are transferable, but it will be tricky from public to private. Reason being you will be more of a generalist in public, whereas you will be more specialise in private. At least for the bigger companies anyway (not so much on SMEs).

It's a misconception you can draw equivalent, because public pays you better (starting salary higher) more often than not. Unless you're saying you wish to enter those MNCs, then it'll be the same story again, about how your skill sets are different from what they are looking for. Same work scope, but different environment, and culture, and work responsibilities. If you can't get into their MA programme, what makes you think you can get in after 2/3 years of generalist HR role in the public sector?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

HR skill sets are transferable, but it will be tricky from public to private. Reason being you will be more of a generalist in public, whereas you will be more specialise in private. At least for the bigger companies anyway (not so much on SMEs).

It's a misconception you can draw equivalent, because public pays you better (starting salary higher) more often than not. Unless you're saying you wish to enter those MNCs, then it'll be the same story again, about how your skill sets are different from what they are looking for. Same work scope, but different environment, and culture, and work responsibilities. If you can't get into their MA programme, what makes you think you can get in after 2/3 years of generalist HR role in the public sector?

Your line of reasoning is flawed. Just because an individual is not able to get into a MA programme does not necessarily mean that (s)he would not be able to secure a job at said company in the future, no? Those placed on the management associate tracks are high flyers/overachievers but a company is rarely made up of only such people. Or do you know of one that only accepts management associates and no one else?

Also, HR positions in the private sector do not just consist of specialised roles like C&B, L&D, HRIS etc. From what I've seen on job portals, there are many generalists/ops positions as well. Regardless, MA at ministries/stat boards/glcs are rotated through the full spectrum of HR functions so I can't fully comprehend the whole "skill sets gained in the public sector are not relevant" argument.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Your line of reasoning is flawed. Just because an individual is not able to get into a MA programme does not necessarily mean that (s)he would not be able to secure a job at said company in the future, no? Those placed on the management associate tracks are high flyers/overachievers but a company is rarely made up of only such people. Or do you know of one that only accepts management associates and no one else?

Also, HR positions in the private sector do not just consist of specialised roles like C&B, L&D, HRIS etc. From what I've seen on job portals, there are many generalists/ops positions as well. Regardless, MA at ministries/stat boards/glcs are rotated through the full spectrum of HR functions so I can't fully comprehend the whole "skill sets gained in the public sector are not relevant" argument.

The "Caveat emptor" was that for HR jobs in NMCs, they are usually looking for specialised ones, especially for those that require HR experience. Therefore if you are unable to have the required experience in the specialised HR functions, yes it will be difficult for you to enter. Usually its a round-table of people from the same group of companies that rotate about.

If you're talking about SMEs or those smaller companies, yes you are right;there are HR generalist roles. Even then, you are expected to know the full spectrum of HR, even if not specialising in any specific functions. Then again the issue is, if you are already in the public sector doing HR, would you want to go into these companies to do HR? The chances of them offering you a similar or better salary package is low, especially for a generalist role.

If you read the original post, that person is unable to make it into the MA of the MNCs. What makes you think he/she maybe able to enter the MA programme for the public sector? So if you're not a MA, chances are you will not be rotated to enjoy the full spectrum of HR functions. Not unless you make a deliberate effort to quit and join other agencies to work on a new HR function, or request to rotate within the various HR functions in your agency.

Are you saying that if I am a HR generalist in a public agency of 500 people dealing with budgets and fiscal policies, I can apply to be a HR generalist in an Oil and Gas company that has more than 5000 employees? Now under such circumstances, would my experience in the public be useful for my application to this private company? Afterall, people who want to move on usually want to move to a higher (greener) pasture. There is no point in saying I can move onto a smaller company doing similar things. No career development as well.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The "Caveat emptor" was that for HR jobs in NMCs, they are usually looking for specialised ones, especially for those that require HR experience. Therefore if you are unable to have the required experience in the specialised HR functions, yes it will be difficult for you to enter. Usually its a round-table of people from the same group of companies that rotate about.

If you're talking about SMEs or those smaller companies, yes you are right;there are HR generalist roles. Even then, you are expected to know the full spectrum of HR, even if not specialising in any specific functions. Then again the issue is, if you are already in the public sector doing HR, would you want to go into these companies to do HR? The chances of them offering you a similar or better salary package is low, especially for a generalist role.

If you read the original post, that person is unable to make it into the MA of the MNCs. What makes you think he/she maybe able to enter the MA programme for the public sector? So if you're not a MA, chances are you will not be rotated to enjoy the full spectrum of HR functions. Not unless you make a deliberate effort to quit and join other agencies to work on a new HR function, or request to rotate within the various HR functions in your agency.

Are you saying that if I am a HR generalist in a public agency of 500 people dealing with budgets and fiscal policies, I can apply to be a HR generalist in an Oil and Gas company that has more than 5000 employees? Now under such circumstances, would my experience in the public be useful for my application to this private company? Afterall, people who want to move on usually want to move to a higher (greener) pasture. There is no point in saying I can move onto a smaller company doing similar things. No career development as well.

Hold your horses please. I merely said that MA programmes at MNCs are ridiculously difficult to get into and nothing about not being able to make it. Well, that said I didn't bother applying because I am well aware that the competition is very stiff and I stand little or no chance given that i'm no overachiever/FCH smarty pants. But contrary to your (warped) reasoning, the unimaginable happened - I applied for 3 MA programmes in the public sector and have been shortlisted. Don't be such a wet blanket.

Given that 2nd upper grads are usually offered $3000-$3500, it's unlikely (though not impossible) that one would be drawing more than $4000 after serving in the public sector for 2 years, no? I've, however, seen plenty of MNCs offering $4000 and above for at least 2 of experience so it seems that the salary for a HR Generalist/Executive in the private sector isn't all that bad.

As for your last point, an increase in headcount does not negate one's experience as a HR generalist. I wouldn't be so quick to write if off as irrelevant. When people switch jobs, it's because they think they have gained sufficient knowledge and expertise to take on additional responsibilities, justifying a pay increment. Hence, isn't it a normal occurrence for them to apply for a job that's more demanding?!? From the way you phrase it, one's experience and skill sets would perhaps only be relevant if the individual goes from a headcount of 500 in the public sector to 500 in the private sector.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Well it is up to the individuals during the interview to showcase and negotiate their salary thereafter. Males with NS usually get $200 or so more than ladies without NS.

Think along the lines of healthcare (e.g. healthcare cost, medical inflation, medical technology, moral lines etc.) for your essay. They look at your reasoning, and your proficiency of the language.

For healthcare GLCs for fresh grad w gd honours for guys...
How much is he expected to get?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Well it is up to the individuals during the interview to showcase and negotiate their salary thereafter. Males with NS usually get $200 or so more than ladies without NS.

Think along the lines of healthcare (e.g. healthcare cost, medical inflation, medical technology, moral lines etc.) for your essay. They look at your reasoning, and your proficiency of the language.

i heard for fresh graduates, it is calculated using a formula for healthcare GLCs, so anyone in HR can advise the pay?
Details:Fresh grad male with 2nd upper class honours from NUS

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Well it is up to the individuals during the interview to showcase and negotiate their salary thereafter. Males with NS usually get $200 or so more than ladies without NS.

Think along the lines of healthcare (e.g. healthcare cost, medical inflation, medical technology, moral lines etc.) for your essay. They look at your reasoning, and your proficiency of the language.

Hi,
I am interested in how much is a fresh grad with good honors is expected get?
Since the starting pay for a fresh grad is non-negotiable

Thanks

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hold your horses please. I merely said that MA programmes at MNCs are ridiculously difficult to get into and nothing about not being able to make it. Well, that said I didn't bother applying because I am well aware that the competition is very stiff and I stand little or no chance given that i'm no overachiever/FCH smarty pants. But contrary to your (warped) reasoning, the unimaginable happened - I applied for 3 MA programmes in the public sector and have been shortlisted. Don't be such a wet blanket.

Given that 2nd upper grads are usually offered $3000-$3500, it's unlikely (though not impossible) that one would be drawing more than $4000 after serving in the public sector for 2 years, no? I've, however, seen plenty of MNCs offering $4000 and above for at least 2 of experience so it seems that the salary for a HR Generalist/Executive in the private sector isn't all that bad.

As for your last point, an increase in headcount does not negate one's experience as a HR generalist. I wouldn't be so quick to write if off as irrelevant. When people switch jobs, it's because they think they have gained sufficient knowledge and expertise to take on additional responsibilities, justifying a pay increment. Hence, isn't it a normal occurrence for them to apply for a job that's more demanding?!? From the way you phrase it, one's experience and skill sets would perhaps only be relevant if the individual goes from a headcount of 500 in the public sector to 500 in the private sector.

1) It is relatively easy to be shortlisted for MA, especially for fresh grad. Tell me when you're inside.

2) Again, tell me when you have 2 years experience in public as a HR generalist, and then you try to go into MNCs. Btw, it is possible to be taking in more than $4000 after 2 years in public (assuming 1 promotion for good performers). Hence my earlier point on either taking pay cut or similar package stays.

3) That's the reality of the world. If you're NOT from the relevant sector, chances are your experience will taken at a "discount". Don't believe ask around. Try selling yourself that you've been in a company of 500 people, now you believe you can handle 5000 in just 2 years time. I've seen too many people in public trying to make it to private, but to no avail. Not unless you've reached at least DD level and above, or you're an AO. Which is impossible to reach in 2 years, and you are definitely not one respectively.

Bottom line, please do a reality check. You can't want to have the cake and eat it. Not unless there's something really special about you, that differentiate yourself from the crowd. And oh. We haven't even talk about the influx of "foreign talents" that MNCs love to take. Especially of people from certain nationalities. It is more prudent to take the worse case scenario into consideration, then go in doe-eyed and thinking the world's perfect and gonna go your way.