Leaving A Job Last week, I made a decision to leave my current job. As soon as I made that decision, I informed my current employer that I had to started to apply elsewhere.Some of my friends were surprised by the way I did so. They said that they would secure a job elsewhere before notifying their current employer.I told them that, when I joined, I told my current employer that I believed in being Visit The Doctor Many people I know are resistant to consult doctors. Many of my loved ones join this list.They end up going to work ill. They end up ailing at home and worrying those around them.It is not that they cannot afford it.They just prefer to self-medicate. To them, it is just a small problem.Come what may, they just refuse to see the doctor.A lot of times, that small problem ends up being passed on to Motherly Reminders Afterthoughts:This advertisement reminded me about three things.First, it is an important reminder of what a wealthy life should be. Unfortunately, in the pursuit of that elusive pot of gold, many of us tend to lose the plot.Second, it is an important reminder of the influential role mothers play in our lives.I have been blessed with three mothers in my life: my grandmother, my godmother and my Focus on Revival Unlike others who make resolutions, I usually set a theme or focus for the year and plan the year ahead. As the year passes, I set goals around this focus.In the past 2 years, I have focused on development. As part of that process, I left my job of 5 years as a corporate counsel.I went back to law school to do a law conversion programme and I got my licence to practise law in Singapore. I now Cane Irresponsible Employers of Foreign Workers PEOPLE & POWER: HUMAN TRADEWITNESS: MIGRANT DREAMSPart IPart IIAfterthoughts:1. Some years ago, the leading broadsheet of Singapore dedicated a whole section to foreign workers who had prospered in Singapore and returned to their respective countries to build beautiful homes and families. That story, as these documentaries show, has now changed.2. What is even more shocking is the regulator's Review Your Employment Contracts In the past months, at least two friends have approached me about their employment contracts.They told me, "I am not covered by the Employment Act. How?"As they held management positions with their base pay exceeding S$2,500.00, they were right.From the website of the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore:"The Employment Act covers every employee (regardless of nationality) who is under a contract of Job Offered: Legal Roles EMPLOYERThe employer is a boutique litigation outfit in the Central Business District, Singapore.POSITIONLegal SecretaryRequirements:(skills, knowledge, relevant experience, qualification, etc.)- Legal work experience will be advantageous- Diploma in law or any other equivalent qualification- Fresh school-leavers welcomed to applyParalegal / Legal ExecutiveRequirements:(skills, knowledge, Job Offered: Compliance Manager This is an urgent vacancy with a top company in the financial sector.EMPLOYERAn important global player, with a total headcount of 214 044 worldwide, whose ambition is to attain leadership in its core financial protection business.POSITIONCompliance ManagerDUTIES1. Responsible for assisting the HOD in ensuring    • market conduct issues are adequately dealt with.    • all companies comply with Persuading Employers I have just made an individual pledge to this wonderful private-sector initiative to beat the downturn. Add yours today!In light of my own pledge, I have had applications from several highly qualified and talented candidates for some of the more recent roles made available here. They have not been able to secure jobs on the basis that they are "over-qualified".What the employer really means is: " Job Offered: Conference Producer If you desire objectively measurable performance indicators, intellectual stimulation, the opportunity to meet senior managers on a peer basis, excellent promotion prospects and attractive financial rewards, this job is for you.EMPLOYEREstablished leader in the business intelligence and conference industry. With over 30 years' of international expertise and an expanding network of offices When You Apply For A Job It may be useful to share three things I have learnt from job-seekers for this role:1. Recognise the difference between a resume and a "CV". Keep your resume brief, that is not more than 3 pages. Two pages are ideal. The resume should give a snapshot of you and its primary purpose is to give the employer a relevant basis to invite you for an interview. Address the requirements of the role in both Job Offered: Bank Corporate Counsel Another legal role is available for suitable individuals below. EMPLOYERLeading Swiss private bank with a long pedigree in banking and specialising in asset management and investment advisory services for private and institutional clients.POSITIONCorporate CounselDUTIES- Assist Head of Legal (Asia)- Provide in-house legal support and adviceREQUIREMENTS(skills, knowledge, relevant experience, Jobs Offered: Legal Positions In response to this initiative, I have had several employers approaching me about candidates. More jobs follow below!I have also had a number of young persons writing to me. They are either seeking internships during their school holidays or looking to fill fresh graduate positions. If you are looking to provide opportunities to such persons, please write to me. My e-mail address is in the "I am" Job Offered: Manager Media UPDATE: As at 21 May 2009, an offer has already been made for this vacancy so no further applications will be entertained.Since the economic downturn began, I am increasingly approached by various employers seeking suitable candidates for different positions. Most of these jobs are in the legal, financial services or media sectors, three areas that I am passionate about. If the job is of some Wear Pink For Love & Expression - 16 May 2009 When Nominated of Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong made a prayer for inclusiveness and diversity in the most powerful house of Singapore, this blog honoured that call by encouraging others to wear a pink shirt / blouse to show that we collectively believe in standing up and being counted.On Saturday, 16 May 2009, a similar call is being made by other Singaporeans at Hong Lim Park or Speaker's Help AWARE raise funds I have been following developments in the AWARE saga from a distance, unlike other members of the legal fraternity. A non-exhaustive list of articles following this development is available here. Many, including the Honourable Nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong, have written about the lessons that we can draw out from this experience.I have been particularly disturbed by the $90,000 Younger Lawyers Respond To Senior Lawyer In the past week, I have received a range of reactions from different sections of the legal fraternity in relation to the AWARE coup.Firstly, there are those who consider themselves "God's Children" and see it as their religious mandate to do all that they can to endorse the work of those who wash away their sins and of those around them.Secondly, there are others who are absolutely appalled by Educational Art From Family Doctor In December 2008, I visited my family doctor. My family and I have been seeing him for over a decade now.He's one of those doctors who takes great pride in what he does. He also likes to empower his patients with knowledge so that they may exercise greater personal responsibility about their health.It is therefore normal for him to give little nuggets of information for his patients to take back Reader's Question: 2009 Salaries For Newly Qualifed Lawyers QUESTIONIn relation to this:A. Wonder if there is any truth or merit to the figures posted?B. Are young lawyers really willing to sacrifice all their waking hours for a few hundred/thousand dollars more?Read more about the above question here.ANSWER (A)In the past, the United Kingdom Singapore Law Students Society used to publish detailed statistics about the salary and benefit packages offered When the employer drops by ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN WEEKEND TODAY ON 18 APRIL 2009Very rarely does a private sector employer comment publicly about what its employee does in his or her personal time. It is even rarer for a private sector employer to express disagreement about its employee’s voluntary commitments.DBS did both when it came out to express its view on the personal and voluntary work of its vice-president of credit The Man Bank Seen on the back cover of the December 1962 edition of the Malaya Law Review.Imagine what would happen if this same advertisement were to be carried by a publication of similar standing today?Happiness,Dharmendra YadavPlease consider the environment. Do you really need to print this? Reply: Help with Full Subsidy of Compulsory Qualification Expenses The reply below was received from the Law Society of Singapore regarding matters raised here.On a related issue, other law firms have announced the following monthly salaries for their newly qualified lawyers or reviewed their earlier announcements:1. Drew and Napier - $4,0002. Shook Lin & Bok - $4,000 (reduced following review)3. Allen & Gledhill - $4,000 (increased following review)It confirms Help with Full Subsidy of Compulsory Qualification Expenses LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE ON 28 MARCH 2009Last week, I wrote to you about the need for the Law Society to extend help to pupils, who have not been retained by various law firms. I am happy that the Law Society has acted quickly to look into this matter and is continuing to do so.I want to highlight to you another disturbing practice that I think the Law Society 2009 Salaries For Newly Qualifed Lawyers Several newly qualified lawyers in Singapore have sought my views on salaries they are being offered by their employers.Starting salaries at law firms are probably a good indication of how well the firm is doing in these times. It is also perhaps an indication of how much law firms value the talents they attract.Over the past months, large law firms have announced the following monthly salaries Reply: Connect Young Lawyers To Employers The following reply was received from the Law Society of Singapore regarding matters raised here.Happiness,Dharmendra YadavPlease consider the environment. Do you really need to print this?REPLY FROM SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS) ON BEHALF PRESIDENT, THE LAW SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE, ON 23 MARCH 2009We thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.We agreed Connect Young Lawyers To Employers LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE ON 22 MARCH 2009Several law firms have announced that they will not be retaining all the pupils they had recruited. While announcements are pending from certain law firms, there are indications that they too may not be retaining all their present pupils. Most of these pupils affected were attached to corporate legal teams but there are some True Colours Afterthought:1. A friend shared this advertisement with me earlier today.2. I like advertisements, especially those that get you talking or those that generally leave you feeling positive about the world we live in. This is one of them. It's also one of those advertisements that really keeps you guessing till the end. How you react at the end will probably be an indication of your own values, Sexist Developments I get really hilarious stuff in my mailbox from time to time.Two days ago, I got this from a male:Within the next two hours, I got this from a female:As much as the two e-mails were not part of the same chain of communication and their original sources remain unverified, I just thought the irony of the whole situation was worth capturing.In defence of our own sexes, indeed.Happiness,Dharmendra Ho To Goodyear I asked a friend, "Why do you think Ho Ching is stepping down as chief executive of Temasek Holdings?"My friend replied, "Because Singapore wants a Goodyear this year!"Afterthought:1. Ho Ching's successor is a 51 year old American known as Charles Goodyear.2. Dedicated to my peer, Clement Tan.Happiness,Dharmendra YadavPlease consider the environment - do you really need to print this? Think Happiness Revival For some months, I have not been able to give this blog the necessary attention it required.I was preparing for my Singapore Bar exams. I was also ending my sabbatical of 1.5 years to return to the workforce. I also wanted to use the time to reflect the way forward for this blog. For a number of reasons, I was thinking of shutting down this blog. I wanted to focus on other priorities.Over the