Hey all! I need some guidance about job hunting in Singapore after my Master in Management degree at ESSEC Business School. Starting the program in August and want to plan ahead for career moves.
My background:
- Worked 2 years as HR Operations Executive at PepsiCo (handled teams across North America, AMESA, APAC)
- Got sales/marketing experience through internships
- Operations knowledge from family business involvement
- Bachelor’s degree in Management
I’m targeting Product Manager or Brand Manager positions in fast-moving consumer goods, luxury brands, or consulting companies. Want to build more global experience before going back to help with the family business later.
What do you think about job prospects in Singapore for someone like me? Which approach works best when applying to these industries? Any tips on making my profile stronger or networking in these sectors?
Thanks for any advice you can share!
Do informational interviews while you’re still in school - that’s what got me hired in Singapore. Reach out to ESSEC alums at L’Oréal or LVMH since they prefer hiring from programs they know. Your family business background is actually a huge advantage for consulting - most candidates don’t have that entrepreneurial experience. Also look at smaller luxury brands expanding in APAC. They take more risks on promising candidates and you’ll get way more hands-on experience than the big corporates.
essec’s alumni in singapore is strong - tap into that! mckinsey and bcg are hiring, but spots are tight. for fmcg, look for assoc positions at unilever or p&g since they r major players. your hr ops experience is an asset - highlight it when applying.
Singapore’s job market is great for MiM grads! Your PepsiCo experience will help you stand out. Focus on LinkedIn networking and attend industry events. Luxury and FMCG are thriving there. You’re in a solid position!
Your PepsiCo experience coupled with your ESSEC degree places you in a strong position for Singapore’s job market. The key is to convey how your cross-regional HR operations experience has imparted you with insights into consumer behavior and market dynamics across various regions.
For roles in FMCG, emphasize your exposure to PepsiCo’s regional strategies and how that informs your approach to product positioning. Luxury brands often seek candidates who comprehend the operational facets of premium offerings, and your family’s business background highlights your grasp of both corporate scale and the agility of smaller enterprises.
While consulting can be fiercely competitive, your operational background distinguishes you from many MiM graduates. When tackling case studies, make sure to highlight specific achievements and metrics from your time at PepsiCo. Many firms in Singapore are increasingly valuing practical business experience alongside academic performance.
Consider pursuing roles at regional headquarters for global brands—your multi-regional expertise will stand out and serve as an excellent stepping stone to the Product Manager positions you aspire to.
Time your applications around Singapore’s hiring cycles. FMCG companies hire heavily in Q1 and Q3, while luxury brands follow seasonal planning periods. Your PepsiCo experience across multiple regions is gold here - Singapore’s the APAC hub for tons of brands. There are about 7,000 multinationals running regional ops from there, so brand management roles are everywhere. Play up your cultural adaptability from AMESA/APAC work since companies want people who get diverse markets. For consulting, try boutique firms like Simon-Kucher or Roland Berger first. Way less competition than MBB but still great exit ops to the industries you’re targeting.
the market’s brutal right now, way tougher than the cheerleaders make it sound. yeah, essec’s got solid connections, but everyone’s chasing those luxury brand PM jobs. your pepsi experience definitely helps, but don’t think the MiM’s gonna be some magic key.
consulting’s a bloodbath - they want perfect grades and you better nail those case studies. i’d line up some backup options because singapore’s insanely competitive these days.
if you’re dead set on it, go ahead. just don’t get your hopes too high.
