Work Opportunities

[Guest]

I was wondering if it is difficult for falangs to get work in Thailand?

I work in the IT industry and looking at various ads on the internet seems like there are jobs available. But are the available to falangs?

Also Im currently completing my Bach. Degree. I already hold Diploma and MSCE certified. What are my chance of getting a work permit without the degree completed.

I have 5 year IT experience.

Feedback would be appreciated.

Pussyraider

[Flashermac]

One problem you will run up against is that Thais in your field come a lot cheaper. But you can try an international company. Very good pay in that; not so good pay with Thai companies.

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by Flashermac:

... But you can try an international company. Very good pay in that...

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I am working in the finance/ IT-field as application-developer, consultant and project-manager, also holding an IT-diploma.

What do you think, what companies are the best for applying?

I am going to BKK soon and considering arranging some interviews. I am seriously interested in moving to SEA.

[ August 12, 2001: Message edited by: Horny_Dog ]

[gummigut]

GOt to ask yourself what do you offer that a local does not?

That is what you have to sell. As it stands with just your general description, it doesn't look good.

Unfortunately, Thailand seems to attract folks who are socially inept. Given that the IT field has more than its fair share of these people, you have to compete with these guys as well as the locals. Thus forcing salaries lower for jobs you can acquire.

Having said that, I generally find that there is always demand for good people, the problem is that you will only find these jobs by networking.

You really want to make the move and for the right reasons? Then save up and tie up your loose ends and just make the jump. Do it for the right reasons though, I read about to many folks who do it for the wrong reasons (least in my opinion).

<<burp>>

[Guest]

To talk about the legal way of getting work in Thailand you must get a work permit. Work permits are not isued for every type of job and a rule of thumb is that the government generally want jobs that Thais can do to go to Thai nationals. Companies are also limited in the number of work permits they can apply for (most companies will usually emply just a handful of expats and even the larget companies rarely employ more than forty with just a very few getting close to one hundred).

One thing that companies in Asia want from expats not being transferred is 'Asian knowledge', proof that you can work and live in the culture. Aside from your skills, getting that knowledge is key.

There are probably three ways to get a job here:

1. Get a job with a company in your home country and get transferred as an expat. Plus points are excellent salary and benefits and you will naturally pick up the 'Asian knowledge' while here, minus points are that you could wait a long time for your chance.

2.Start writing lots of letters to companies out here. Most major libraries and government export departments will have lists of countries trading here that you can get copies of. Decide who is likely to need your skills and contact them (try and meet them while here on holiday. Plus point is that this is very low risk, minus point is that again it could take a very long time to hear anything.

3. Take a long holiday and get out here to do some networking. Contact various chambers of commerce and professional associations (www.ethailand.com carries good lists of the various organisations websites). Plus points are that getting out here shows commitment and a certain capacity for understanding the culture, minus point is that you could spend a long time living off your savings until somethings comes along.

Comapnies, particularly the HR departments, tend to view expats as very expensive but many of us here live on local packages and prove our worth for the higher salaries, whilst forgoing many other expat benefits.

Take whatever job comes along, get the 'Asian' knowledge, and then pick up something better as your network increases.

Of course there are always the jobs without work permits and picking them up with various language schools etc. is quite easy through the adverts they post in the newspapers, but you take the risk of working here illegally.

[Guest]

By themselves, the "pure" IT skills are not that scarce here. What is scarce is the underlying business knowledge to help clients develop a "model" of what business interaction the IT infrastructure will need to support.

Requirements modeling, business process modeling, operator interface modeling. These are areas where domestic talent seems lacking/scarce.

Then again, Thai business practices do not necessarily look much like western practices.

Thais are not particularly strong at problem-solving, overcoming obstacles, and implementing new and unfamiliar practices.

I would think that a good approach would be to try to get a job with one of the multi-national business consulting firms, combining your technical knowledge with the business problem-solving skills of a business specialist (plus the Thai language skills that someone on the team will have) . Most big new projects (subway system, new airport, etc.) employ the big consulting firms to help implement complex new processes.

Cheers!

Bangkok Butterfly