Formative is a strategic talent partner connecting exceptional people with companies shaping the future of energy, infrastructure, sustainability, and the legal sector, across Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Headquartered in Singapore, we specialize in placing mid-to-executive level talent across permanent, contract, and advisory roles. Our clients include global investors, developers, operators, corporates, and law firms at the forefront of the energy transition, infrastructure transformation, and legal services.
In the legal sector, we recruit across both in-house legal teams, spanning a broad range of industries and private practice firms across all major practice areas.
More than just recruiters, we work as long-term partners delivering talent that drives business, people, and markets forward.
We are also the creators of Formative Connect, a curated online platform that links investors with developers and project owners, helping bring energy projects to life faster and smarter.
Whether you're building a leadership team, scaling a project, growing a legal function, or entering a new market, let Formative help you find the people who make it happen.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
3
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: I've really enjoyed my time here as a Head of Business Development. The team collaboration is strong, and everyone's pretty dedicated. We're in the tech industry, so there's always something new to learn, and Formative encourages continuous professional development. The work flexibility is a big plus; management trusts us to get our work done, so it's not a strict 9-to-5, which really helps with personal commitments. The company culture feels supportive and there are good opportunities for
Cons: While overall positive, communication sometimes feels a bit siloed, especially between different departments. It would be beneficial to have more streamlined information sharing across the organization to improve overall efficiency. The approval processes can occasionally be slow, which can hold up new business initiatives. Also, during peak periods, the workload can become quite intense, sometimes impacting the otherwise good work-life balance for senior roles.
Advice to Management: Focus on improving inter-departmental communication channels and streamlining internal approval processes to maintain momentum and avoid bottlenecks in business development. Perhaps implement quarterly cross-functional syncs to foster better understanding and collaboration across the company.
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Pros: The collaborative spirit within the engineering teams at Formative is a major plus. I've had the chance to work on diverse projects and learn a lot about cloud technologies and scalable architecture. The hybrid work model in Singapore is well-implemented, offering good flexibility to balance personal life with professional responsibilities. Management is accessible and generally supportive of professional development initiatives, like attending workshops or exploring new tools.
Cons: While the work is engaging, project deadlines can sometimes be quite aggressive, leading to periods of extended work hours. Communication could occasionally be clearer between departments to ensure smoother project execution. There's also room for more structured career progression paths, as advancement can feel somewhat informal at times.
Advice to Management: Consider enhancing cross-departmental communication channels and formalizing career development frameworks to support long-term employee growth.
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Pros: The team environment is generally collaborative, and there are opportunities to pick up new skills and work with modern technologies, especially within the edtech sector. The management is approachable and offers a good degree of autonomy in daily tasks. The company is stable and provides a good platform for early to mid-career professionals.
Cons: While pay is acceptable for the Malaysian market, the overall benefits package could be more robust and clearly defined. Communication on long-term career paths or advancement opportunities isn't always transparent, leading to some uncertainty for employees looking to grow within the company. Busy periods can sometimes lead to intense workloads.
Advice to Management: Consider enhancing the overall benefits package and providing more structured, transparent communication regarding career progression frameworks and opportunities. Clearer roadmaps for advancement would be greatly appreciated by employees aiming for long-term growth within the organization.
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What's the typical workload like at Formative, especially for a software engineer in their Austin, TX office?
The workload at Formative feels manageable, I haven't experienced excessive crunch time working as a software engineer here in Austin. We focus on sustainable pace, which is great for work-life balance in a mid-sized tech company.
What's the typical dress code like for a marketing specialist role at a mid-sized tech company like Formative in San Francisco?
For my marketing specialist role at Formative, the dress code was pretty relaxed, leaning towards business casual. Most people in our San Francisco office wore jeans or slacks with a nice top or polo shirt, making it comfortable for a tech environment.
What is the day-to-day working culture like at Formative for a Software Engineer in their New York office?
The culture at Formative is collaborative, with an emphasis on agile methodologies and cross-functional teamwork. Engineers often participate in daily stand-ups and sprint planning sessions, fostering a communicative environment.
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