Tips for getting your first job in Indonesia

expat.com Your favourite team

8393POSTS

10 years ago

Hi,

What are your tips and advice for getting a first job in Indonesia?

What are the job hunting steps to follow? Where to look for offers: newspapers, Internet, recruitment agencies, word-of-mouth?

What are the top hiring sectors?

What would you recommend to young professionals wishing to start their career in Indonesia?

Thank you in advance for your participation!

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Fred Indonesia Expert

30549POSTS

10 years ago

The first point has to be making sure your employer provides all the correct documentation, and provides all other legal requirements such as air tickets.
Employers that ask you to enter and work on a tourist visa are breaking the law, but the employee is usually the one to suffer.

The type of work a foreigner can legally engage in is also restricted. If the skill is available locally, you probably won't get a work permit, so can't do it legally. That pretty much ruins the dream of becoming a life guard or hairdresser in Bali.

The negative side done with, Indonesian schools are crying out for Native speakers of English, and many other specialist industries are looking for foreign talent to upgrade their abilities.

Some activities are being restricted, but many restrictions disappear if skill shortages appear because of them.

http://hsfnotes.com/employment/2014/06/ … l-and-gas/

The situation is very fluid, so check from week to week.

happyhour ViP

1588POSTS

10 years ago

To ad to Fred, not only the employer need to provide the proper documents, also the applicant need to fulfill the requirements.

The age, diploma, educational background and work experience in your field is something someone need to proof.

ronal60p Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

Many expats come here without going through the proper documentation, get work, and get deported. It is not uncommon for Indonesian's, or at times expats, to turn you in as you may be taking jobs from locals in need.

So, please don't come here to work illegally....It will not be appreciated both by locals and many expats who have done their due diligence.

Remember this country is very poor with extremely high unemployment, so if you cannot provide a skill that is in great need, there usually is no work for you.

On the other hand, if you are entrepenurial in nature, there is always the possibility of starting your own business. It is very expensive and tedious to get the permits but can be done. It is also extremely risky!

nidhibehl5 New member

3POSTS

10 years ago

Learn bhasa Indonesia ,if you really want to live n wrk in Indonesia

Fred Indonesia Expert

30549POSTS

10 years ago

nidhibehl5 wrote:
Learn bhasa Indonesia ,if you really want to live n wrk in Indonesia

Learning your host country's language is always a good idea, but not always required for the job.

Ubudian Indonesia Expert

3214POSTS

10 years ago

"What would you recommend to young professionals wishing to start their career in Indonesia?"

I'd seriously recommend that they forget all about that idea. Indonesia is not the place for foreigners to start their careers.

It is important to understand that here in Indonesia it's "jobs first for Indonesians" and that is more true today than in any of my past 17 years living here.

lukereg ViP

2114POSTS

10 years ago

I would suggest visiting Indonesia as a tourist before upping sticks and moving over. Whilst the Expat areas are all very familiar and dull once outside of those comfort zones, then prepare yourself for a real different way of life and a whole range of new experiences.

See the place as a traveller before you see it as a place to work and I am certain that it will be a far more amazing experience. And really, do you need to visit Bali because its easy? Try Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumatra, Belitung, Sulawesi and everywhere else as well, its worth it.

Valentodd Member

2POSTS

10 years ago

American people always negative thoughts... In Indo a lot of work..... But for sure not place for be an employee, here you must start your own business, also because the salary for mouth is around 20$.But i think if you have a little bit of brain and also a little bit of money..... You can do it.

happyhour ViP

1588POSTS

10 years ago

#10

Valentodd wrote:
American people always negative thoughts... In Indo a lot of work..... But for sure not place for be an employee, here you must start your own business, also because the salary for mouth is around 20$.But i think if you have a little bit of brain and also a little bit of money..... You can do it.

Its obvious that you have no idea what you are talking about.

When starting your own business you will need to invest a huge amount of money and you need more than "a little brain".

Except you do your business illegal without having all permits etc then you may can make some extra cash. Those who think they can break the laws should not wonder when they get reported to the authorities and facing up to $40.000 of fine and up to 5 years prison.

Ubudian Indonesia Expert

3214POSTS

10 years ago

#11

Tom, maybe Valentodd will offer his idea of what the minimum investment is for a foreigner to start a new business here in Bali.

happyhour ViP

1588POSTS

10 years ago

#12

Roy, I am open for any ideas but doubt that he has anything valuable to share.....

ronal60p Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#13

Why also not discuss about secondary benefits.
Such as 1x per year a paid plaine ticket back home, transport, living quarters, etc.

I am sure many are interested to know, what secondary benefits you might get as an expat.

Thanks

Albert

ronal60p Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#14

happyhour wrote:
Valentodd wrote:
American people always negative thoughts... In Indo a lot of work..... But for sure not place for be an employee, here you must start your own business, also because the salary for mouth is around 20$.But i think if you have a little bit of brain and also a little bit of money..... You can do it.

Its obvious that you have no idea what you are talking about.

When starting your own business you will need to invest a huge amount of money and you need more than "a little brain".

Except you do your business illegal without having all permits etc then you may can make some extra cash. Those who think they can break the laws should not wonder when they get reported to the authorities and facing up to $40.000 of fine and up to 5 years prison.

Or you might die because of an overdosis of Lead.

Fred Indonesia Expert

30549POSTS

10 years ago

#15

lukereg wrote:
I would suggest visiting Indonesia as a tourist before upping sticks and moving over. Whilst the Expat areas are all very familiar and dull once outside of those comfort zones, then prepare yourself for a real different way of life and a whole range of new experiences.

That is quality advice.
Indonesia, whilst I find it to be a wonderful country, isn't for everyone.
If you think of any norm in the west, it probably doesn't fit here.

Indonesia has so much culture, a range of delicious food as wide as it is wonderful, people who seem to have everlasting smiles, and views you'd want to be the last thing you looked at before you died, but it also has much that foreigners just can't understand.
That often leads to unhappiness.

miakarisma Active member

63POSTS

10 years ago

#16

I wish to visit Sulawesi area.

happyhour ViP

1588POSTS

10 years ago

#17

Buy a ticket and then you go.....

Fred Indonesia Expert

30549POSTS

10 years ago

#18

miakarisma wrote:
I wish to visit Sulawesi area.

I fancy Kalimantan, but I have zero chance of getting there at the moment.
The kids are so demanding of my time.

miakarisma Active member

63POSTS

10 years ago

#19

I thought of going to Mempawah which is near Pontianak but I thought I should settle down properly in Batam first. For me it is cheaper to fly in from Kuching.