It Job Market

[tla]

I am an Software Consultant (software ERP like SAP, Oracle…) with 10 years experiences.

I am trying to find a job. I am French and want to settle down in Thailand.

I’ve answered to many applications without any success. I have spent few weeks in Thailand giving a phone number. No answer.

It is very surprising because on the web, every day, you can find many companies looking for ERP competencies.

Is anyone knows about the ERP software demand in Thailand for foreigner?

Do I need to speak Thai ?

Is there a chance to run a consultant business dealing with multinationals ?

Thanks by advance for your comments.

Thomas

[kabal1234]

Hi,

I've seen a lot (relitavely speaking) of demand for ERP solutions consultants (ESPECIALLY SAP). If you know your way around the technology and have the experience to back it up you should land something.

jobsdb.com/TH has many SAP positions posted regulary.

Good Luck

[sas_cars]

As far as I have known,it's very difficult to find a job even for highly qualified foreigners.

[kabal1234]

I'm living proof your wrong. Might take some time and footwork, but IMHO possible.

[Explorer]

if it really meant that much to you - don't quit. Keep sending those CVs around.

Good luck

Explorer

[Darknight]

forget it, tried it for a year. They don't want you, stay in france earn big buks and come for holidays. I'm belgian btw.

[tla]

I'm living proof your wrong. Might take some time and footwork, but IMHO possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks very much for all these encouragements.

I am very impress kabal1234. How did you do to get a job in IT in Thailand ?

I was just wondering if it’s possible to call directly the company instead of sending

CV + cover letter.

What is the best way to offer services to a Thai company in the IT business ? Is there a difference with European Companies ?

Thanks again.

Thomas

[astral]

You will probably do better with foreign based companies who will have

a better perspective on the value of an expat, and an HR dept that knows

what to do.

Keep calling and sending the CV.

Try a personal appearance and try to get to see the guy in charge.

[kabal1234]

I'm living proof your wrong. Might take some time and footwork, but IMHO possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks very much for all these encouragements.

I am very impress kabal1234. How did you do to get a job in IT in Thailand ?

I was just wondering if it’s possible to call directly the company instead of sending

CV + cover letter.

What is the best way to offer services to a Thai company in the IT business ? Is there a difference with European Companies ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would rarely send CVs out, but just go and knock on their door and beg/grovel for an interview etc. As I was so inexperienced my CV would not get me to first base so I had to improvise.

My first job came through networking around certain circles. A person I met worked for a company whose web site was done by a friend of hers, so an interview was set up between them and there you go.

After that initial breakthrough I never had a problem gaining IT employment here, I'm now at my third company.

The trick is to network and let yourself be known.... and persevere.

Good Luck

[Phil Conners]

If you are used to even half-decent Euro/US rates you can forget about Thailand. The thing is nobody cares one bit about quality of service here so nobody is prepared to pay extra to guarantee it. Just look at the infrastructure services available here: Telephone, Electricity, Water, etc. So it doesn't work. Take a walk, maybe it will work tomorrow.

[brianbrain]

I am an Software Consultant  (software ERP like SAP, Oracle…) with 10 years experiences.

I am trying to find a job. I am French and want to settle down in Thailand.

I’ve answered to many applications without any success. I have spent few weeks in Thailand giving a phone number. No answer.

It is very surprising because on the web, every day, you can find many companies looking for ERP competencies.

Is anyone knows about the ERP software demand in Thailand for foreigner?

Do I need to speak Thai ?

Is there a chance to run a consultant business dealing with multinationals ?

Thanks by advance for your comments.

Thomas

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just because you see jobs advertised in English doesn't mean they are available to foreigners. When I first came here I applied for many jobs advertised in the Bangkok Post / jobsdb.com etc... All of these jobs were advertised in English, and I took care to avoid the ones that said (or alluded to being) "for Thai nationals only". After three months and no success I took a rather more direct approach. First, I visited two major recruitment agencies, both of which were regularly advertising jobs. After a friendly chat they kindly told me none of their clients want to employ farangs, and so all such applications were "filed away". Or did they say binned? The second tack was to apply directly (i.e. not through an agency) and in person. I did this a couple of times and you could too, but be prepared for some strange looks as you walk through one of those large open-plan offices...

If you are interested, I gave up looking for a job in IT. I realised why no company will want to employ a farang (unless the circumstances are exceptional) and moreover I had one of those "seeing the light" experiences, when I realised why I had left the UK and what a boring job working in IT had been!

I wish you good luck. Just make sure you aren't wasting your time, and give it your best shot.

Brian

[tla]

Thanks for answering me.

In conclusion no chance to find an IT job in Thailand in a short term. I suppose that being free lance is certainly a bad option.

Building a network seem to be a long run task. And the IT business is moving very quickly.

Completely agree, IT is boring and demanding. But after 10 years in this field the options seem very limited to me;

Thanks again, I appreciate.

[brianbrain]

IT is boring and demanding.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And working in Thailand it will be 1000000x more frustrating! My suggestion: try something new. There's no point flogging yourself doing something that you'd rather not be doing.

[kabal1234]

IT is boring and demanding.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And working in Thailand it will be 1000000x more frustrating! My suggestion: try something new. There's no point flogging yourself doing something that you'd rather not be doing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Get yourself a second degree in Genetics (my plan) then watch the offers roll in.

CS + Genetics = much cash

[Lambastard]

A wise man once said: You have to want to live in Thailand.

In other words, there is usually a big trade-off (usually pay scale) that you will need to adjust too.

[Cloggy]

I have tried also for about 4 months to find something in accounting/finance, being even in Bangkok, spoke with every possible recruiter, most multinationals or progressive thai companies, but they all had the same message, they want a thai, thai speaker and pay thai salary.

Even the Western recruiters in bangkok that I spoke with were quite negative about the job prospects for foreigners. The large multinationals mostly transfer their staff from overseas or through Management Development placements and small companies are facing difficulties getting the licenses to hire a foreigner. After the stricter foreigner legislation of a few weeks ago, I guess it has not really become any easier.

it might be different for IT jobs though...

Good luck!

[Darknight]

I have tried also for about 4 months to find something in accounting/finance, being even in Bangkok, spoke with every possible recruiter, most multinationals or progressive thai companies, but they all had the same message, they want a thai, thai speaker and pay thai salary.

Even the Western recruiters in bangkok that I spoke with were quite negative about the job prospects for foreigners. The large multinationals mostly transfer their staff from overseas or through Management Development placements and small companies are facing difficulties getting the licenses to hire a foreigner. After the stricter foreigner legislation of a few weeks ago, I guess it has not really become any easier.

it might be different for IT jobs though...

Good luck!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

not at all cloggy, if your lucky you can fill a position that is needed in a small to meduim company farang owned, for example sales manager for foreign markets.

then you need to be over 35 at least (otherwise not enough experience for WP)

But in It forget it unless you can go to top spots which run very thin.

Personal luck in findong a farang company can be your succes, or start your own biz and become the boss is another way.

Being employed , no way unless you want to teach english.

[kabal1234]

then you need to be over 35 at least (otherwise not enough experience for WP)

But in It forget it unless you can go to top spots which run very thin.

Personal luck in findong a farang company can be your succes, or start your own biz and become the boss is another way.

Hey DK, I have to take you to task again

I'm under 35 and have a WP. I'm not sure why you say this, can you elaborate?

This is the way I see it:

1) lower entry level positions: Unlikely to be hired... Thais can usually fill these positions.

2) Upper level positions: Most likely hired from OS, again quite tough.

3) Middle to Upper level positions: The best bet from within Thailand. The kind of jobs that report to upper management and direct lower level Thai employees.

[lamberts]

Did you speak to SAP Office in Thailand? It is in Silom.

They surely have a huge demand for SAP consultants with around 4/5 projects up experiance.

What modules you are specialised in? The reason I asked it is, I feel your chances will be relatively low if you are in to Finance Module.

In Thailand, SAP operates mainly through Consultants. When SAP Thailand gets the project, they recommend 3rd party consulting companies. So they will surely advice you or give you some hints or even pass your CV to those 3rd party Consulting Companies.

Here lot of SAP projects are done by philipinos and malaysians.

Also apply the Mcdonalds theory and slash it by around 20-25% when expressing your salary expectations and benifits. That will make you more competitive.

good luck,

[tla]

Did you speak to SAP Office in Thailand? It is in Silom.

They surely have a huge demand for SAP consultants with around 4/5 projects up experiance.

What modules you are specialised in? The reason I asked it is, I feel your chances will be relatively low if you are in to Finance Module.

In Thailand, SAP operates mainly through Consultants. When SAP Thailand gets the project, they recommend 3rd party consulting companies. So they will surely advice you or give you some hints or even pass your CV to those 3rd party Consulting Companies.

Here lot of SAP projects are done by philipinos and malaysians. 

Also apply the Mcdonalds theory and slash it by around 20-25% when expressing your salary expectations and benifits. That will make you more competitive.

good luck,

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks very much for your answer.

You seem to know about the ERP market in Thailand. Why not Finance. What is MacDonals Theory ?

Can you explain please ?

Is it better to talk directly to philipinos, Malaysians companies ??

Thanks again. I appreciate !!!!

Thomas

[farang24]

Are you a functional consultant?

What area is your speciality?

There are always projects going on in Asia and some in Thailand but they are usually short term 3 months 6 months or a year if you are lucky.

I was offered a job in Thailand a few years back but they only offered about 70k US tax free but things come up all the time.

Just check Jobserve or Jobnet Australia....a lot of the Aussie boards advertise for positions in Asia.

IMHO Better to just make as much as you can where ever you are and come to Thailand when you are between contracts.

If you are lucky enough to find a well paid gig in Thailand good luck to you but money comes first for me and if i can get a lot more else where then that is where i will go.

[Darknight]

then you need to be over 35 at least (otherwise not enough experience for WP)

But in It forget it unless you can go to top spots which run very thin.

Personal luck in findong a farang company can be your succes, or start your own biz and become the boss is another way.

Hey DK, I have to take you to task again

I'm under 35 and have a WP. I'm not sure why you say this, can you elaborate?

This is the way I see it:

1) lower entry level positions: Unlikely to be hired... Thais can usually fill these positions.

2) Upper level positions: Most likely hired from OS, again quite tough.

3) Middle to Upper level positions: The best bet from within Thailand. The kind of jobs that report to upper management and direct lower level Thai employees.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I see it almost the same kabal nad had some good talks and even offers. Nut when even offered a job from one of the largets holdings in thailand (CP) it was still to shimmy to take it, they recconed that because they were the biggest holding they didn't bother with WP's that much.

What i meant with being young is that i know an engineer who a thai company tried to recruit from germany was told.

" since your only 22 you can't have experience to teach to thai nationals, so therefore we don't issue a WP."

Fresh out of shool is also possible. Of course there is a chance to find work in Los , it's just where you look and what you expect.

[penelope]

My wife and I both work for MNs in BKK (mine is IT, my wife's is finance). We were both transferred in.I can tell you that my company doesn't hire non-thais locally.All non-thais in our organisation were transferred in from other branches.

[think_too_mut]

My wife and I both work for MNs in BKK (mine is IT, my wife's is finance). We were both transferred in.I can tell you that my company doesn't  hire non-thais locally.All non-thais in our organisation were transferred in from other branches.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My company too (a large multinational IT vendor). All local staff. If they need a foreigner, somebody flies in for a week or two and back.

SAP projects are managed out of Singapore, 3rd party from Malaysia involved. Ocassionaly, an Aussie comes in to bring a farang face to the project but does not do anything essential.

Talk to SAP or companies that have Professional Services (Accenture, HP...).

[rubl]

My wife and I both work for MNs in BKK (mine is IT, my wife's is finance). We were both transferred in.I can tell you that my company doesn't  hire non-thais locally.All non-thais in our organisation were transferred in from other branches.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My company too (a large multinational IT vendor). All local staff. If they need a foreigner, somebody flies in for a week or two and back.

SAP projects are managed out of Singapore, 3rd party from Malaysia involved. Ocassionaly, an Aussie comes in to bring a farang face to the project but does not do anything essential.

Talk to SAP or companies that have Professional Services (Accenture, HP...).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm working for one of the larger American Computer/IT companies. Only reason is, I was already here (came for 3 weeks 10 years ago ). In those days things tended to be easier, pay also. Now into a construction via local office of international placement company. And yes, pay has also changed

HP and others mostly rely on regional resources (Singapore/Malaysia and the odd Indien). Foreigners are flown in for discussions, project set-up and planning, follow-up (like once a month). Hiring foreigners locally is NOT a common practise,

Either start your own company or convince people you have unique skills which are essential for some project.

Good luck

[kabal1234]

yes yes... some firms don't hire locally (especially the HPs of this world)... the point being some DO... so check around... I know a lot that DO.

[pedro01]

Hi

If you've been around a bit & can run projects, why not convice one of the companies you worked for to set up shop out here.

Worked for me.

Cheers

Pete