Job seekers filling-in application forms            The Sands at Career & Education Fair 2008   

Launching into my latest foray into answering just that question, I was pleased to attend the 2008 Career & Education Fair, March the 2nd.

The Career & Education Fair was literally bursting with activity. Dozens of companies and dozens of schools were out there marketing. Tourism and Hospitality providers were clearly out in force, notably South-East Asia’s first ever Casino Dealer School: ICGTC (International Club Gaming Training Centre).

Marina Bay Sands had one of the busiest and more interesting stands. Although some visitors to the MBS stand were merely making inquiries, the more intrepid were filling in forms and applying directly on the spot for their favorite positions. Now that’s how to go about getting a job!

                
                    The MBS at Career & Education Fair 2008              No shortage of applicants at the MBS stand!  

Visitors to http://www.marinabaysands.com/careers.html may wonder why it is that there are only six positions advertised on their website. According to the Personnel Department of the Sands, the positions on their website are reserved for vacant positions which need urgent filling.

As the Sands are not yet open, it is difficult for them to predict the exact number of positions that need to be filled and in exactly which departments.

It appears the Sands are currently busy organizing their entire operation and I strongly believe that the recruitment drive will gear up 3-6 months prior to the launch of the Sands; this would be sometime in the second quarter of 2009. The Heads of Departments together with the Personnel Department will then be going through the resume database. And then?watch out!

The Sands need to fill a whopping 10,000 positions by November 2009. This is the very reason they were present at last year’s Career Fair and the reason they were again present at this year’s Career Fair.

Integrated Resorts the Marina Bay Sands and Integrated Resorts Resorts World at Sentosa are looking to fill an incredible 30,000 positions by 2015.

                  Mr. Long and Miss Lois dealing a game of            Croupiers in action at Career & Education
                      blackjack at Career & Education Fair 2008             Fair 2008 at the ICGTC stand         

There are three ways to find out the latest information about the positions at the Sands:

1. Check our jobs page regularly: www.singaporedice.com/latestjobs.html
2. Check the jobs page of the Sands regularly: http://careers.marinabaysands.com/Default.aspx
3. Visit the Career & Education Fair 2009: www.careerseries.com.sg

Additionally, there are two ways you can apply for a position with the Sands:

Visit Career Fair 2009 (please note that it has not yet been confirmed that MBS or RWS will be there). Pick up an application form. Fill it in there and then and hand it to one the HR officers at the stand.

As there were no particular jobs advertised at the MBS stand at the Career Fair 2008, you could, in my opinion just as well prepare a cover letter and a resume (CV), and email directly to careers@marinabaysands.com.

Keep your cover letter simple and to the point. Highlight the things that will make your resume stand out from the rest, e.g. special skills and work experience. Furthermore, write a sentence or two as to what motivates you to apply for a position at the Sands. Briefly mention your educational background. Leave the details of your work experience and education for your resume. Always proofread and check for grammar and spelling errors BEFORE hitting the “send? button.

I believe the Sands have a policy of contacting the current employer BEFORE the actual interview, so, make sure you include a polite request for them NOT to contact your current employer until after the first interview stage. This is actually a common practice. Some HR people react negatively upon learning that one of their employees is seeking employment elsewhere. It may even jeopardize your performance bonus!

RWS was noticeably absent from the 2008 Education & Career Fair. I inquired as to the reason when I last met with the kind people at the HR department of RWS. I was told that it is still a little too early as they are due to launch six months after the Marina Bay Sands.

That said, if you feel that you want to be part of the region’s most exciting family destination, or if you enjoy the thrills, excitement, and energy of theme parks and/or the buzz of world-class events, entertainment and 5-star hotels, Resorts World at Sentosa might be your choice.

You will only need to send a cover letter and your resume to RWS’s HR department at the following address: careers@rwsentosa.com. You will be contacted if there is an immediate opening. If not, your information will be put in their database and you will be contacted when the right fit is found. It is expected that RWS will start going full throttle with their recruitment process towards the end of 2008.

Don’t forget to check the jobs pages of RWS regularly: www.rwsentosa.com/en_careers.html

So how different are the two? Well, both “Integrated Resorts?offer hotel accommodation, shows and casinos. However, the Marina Bay Sands?has a greater focus on MICE whereas Resorts World at Sentosa’s main focus is as a family destination although it offers MICE facilities as well.

For additional reading on the requirements for employees intending to work in a casino in Singapore follow this link.