Retrenched? Here’s How You Can Get Back Into The Fray

Singapore is in its worst recession since her independence and retrenchment figures are climbing up. For those who are retrenched, initial negativity and shock inevitably surface. Here is how you can manage the emotional impact to ensure that you can stay in the game, and hopefully land a job that is just around the corner.

Keep Your Spirits Up

Photo 41765538 © Gajus | Dreamstime.com

A gamut of emotions often accompanies a retrenchment; ranging from shock and denial to the final stage of acceptance and relief. It’s an emotional roller coaster but do bear in mind that rejections SHOULD NOT define or confine your capabilities. On the other hand, dealing positively with your emotions lay the foundation for personal growth. Take this as an opportunity to re-assess your career choices and consider the options available. For instance, having a positive attitude and an openness to new opportunities will boost your chances of finding employment once again.

Manage Your Finances Prudently

Photo 53759160 © Szefei | Dreamstime.com

If you are retrenched, you might receive a severance package. A common mistake that most who are laid off make would be to splurge on something to make themselves feel better temporarily. Instead, the prudent thing to do is to budget and plan ahead. Make an estimate on how long this retrenchment package may last while you continue to look for a job. This is especially critical if you have familial responsibilities as the financial obligations will not disappear. A helpful budgeting tip is to track your daily expenses and cut down on unnecessary expenses such as luxury items or expensive restaurant meals. It may also pay off in the long run to use part of the severance package to invest and upskill yourself. This can only benefit your aim to get back into the fray.

See A Career Coach

Photo 153900280 © Fizkes | Dreamstime.com

The job search journey may be daunting, especially when you have not been actively looking for a job for some time. Career preparation will be useful in gearing you up to re-enter the workforce and seeing a career coach is definitely one of the key actions to take. With personality and strength finder tools, you will discover more about your strengths and weaknesses as you embark on a journey of self-discovery. Career coaches have a wealth of experience in providing customised career guidance such as:

  • Assessing your personality, qualifications and experience to steer you in your career path towards the industry of your choice
  • Assisting to review your resume, boosting its chances of standing out (Personal strengths are listed categorically and aligned to career objective)

Do leverage the career coaches at Careers Connect, where personalised support is available through the CARE360 series of programmes, as well as Career Matching Services organised by Workforce Singapore (‘WSG’).

Consider Company Attachments

Photo 78661206 © Wiwat Chanovit | Dreamstime.com

While you continue to search for employment, do consider attachments provided by host companies that help you acquire emerging skills or expand your opportunities in new sectors. Such attachments offer a way to prove your value to the company and maximise your chances of being offered a full-time job.

SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme provides mid-career individuals with traineeships and training opportunities at companies and public sector agencies. Alternatively, the Professional Conversion Programme is also available for mid-career PMETs to undergo skills conversion and move into new occupations or sectors that have good prospects for progression.

Remember, managing the emotional impact is half the battle won. Thereafter, approach Workforce Singapore (WSG) to tap on its Career Matching Services that will take you one step closer to securing re-employment again. Get back into the fray once again!

If you’re currently unemployed or have been retrenched, and are seeking career guidance, register your interest to see a career coach with WSG here. Complimentary for all Singaporeans and Singapore PRs.

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Here are 6 simple ways you can use Instagram to help you land a job

A random Instagram profile

Are you aware that recruiters are now using Instagram as part of their search for potential candidates? If no, it’s not too late to jump on the trend.

It’s probably a no-brainer that LinkedIn is the most preferred social media platform for recruiters and job seekers alike. But based on a new 2020 Recruiter Nation report, LinkedIn is facing a downward trend in job searches.

Instead, Instagram had a 20% surge with recruiters now using the photo and video-sharing social networking service as part of their scout for the best candidate.

Kelly Lavin, senior vice president of talent at Jobvite, an HR software firm, says that an individual’s Instagram content can give recruiters a personal idea of who the person really is. That is what sets itself apart from LinkedIn.

Even if you’re not desperately searching for a job at the moment, it’s still crucial that you pay attention to what you’re sharing with the world now. For those who are currently job searching, here are six simple ways you can use Instagram to help you land a job.

#1: Take charge of your content
content on Instagram

Image Credits: Leevia Blog

Should you want a recruiter to check your Instagram profile and browse your content, you will have to make it public. In other words, Instagram is now your ‘open resume’ so take charge of what you’re planning to post.

Vicki Salemi, a career expert at job search website Monster.com, advises us to think about whether the content posted reflects you as a professional. She adds that the postings do not need to focus just on your professional pursuits but should paint you as a multidimensional candidate.

At this point, some of you might be thinking it would make better sense to set up a separate Instagram account. But Lavin reveals that it may feel less authentic. Since employers are looking to get a glimpse of you as a whole person, having a version just for the sake of a job search might backfire.

#2: Flaunt your skills

 Many of us use Instagram to showcase our lives and the new happenings that come with it. While you can still go ahead and post that picture at the beach or a new device you’ve just bought, Salemi noted that it’s essential to flaunt your skills, values, experience, and professional pursuits.

“For instance, if one year ago you completed running a 1,000-person conference and managed budgets and vendors, post a photo of you from last year saying something like, ‘Hard to believe this was one year ago! Lots of hard work but seeing the results of XYZ was (a) sweet success,’” she adds.

To ensure more reach and to demonstrate professionalism, use specific industry buzzwords and hashtags alongside your post.

#3: Use it to research more about a company
onechampionship Instagram page

Image Credits: instagram.com/onechampionship/

As much as recruiters or employers are using Instagram to their advantage, you can also do the same by using it to research more about a specific company you want information on.

Salemi points out that you can quickly get an idea of a company’s culture by browsing through their content on Instagram. Other than the inner workings of the company, you can also catch sight of upcoming job opportunities on their feed.

Pay close attention to their content and decide for yourself if it’s aligned with what you’re searching for in a company. Their images and messaging can give you key clues to their employee branding. Also, knowing what’s the latest ins and outs could be useful for any upcoming interviews.

#4: Engage to get noticed
engage on Instagram to get noticed

Image Credits: instagram.com/klooksg/

Corey Berkey, vice president of human resources at JazzHR, a human resources consulting firm, advises job seekers to follow the companies that interest you and engage with their posts. But remember to do it only when your Instagram profile is ready.

Just like how you connect with key personnel and recruiters on LinkedIn, do the same on Instagram. But Lavin warns us not to overdo it. You can choose to like an individual’s or company’s posts appropriately and add to a conversation with insightful remarks to gain some attention.

#5: Play the hashtag game
Instagram hashtag

Image Credits: Instagram

Hashtags like #nowhiring, #hiring, #jobs, and other more country- or industry-specific keywords can bring to light some opportunities you might not have known before.

Salemi states that as you start following the employers that interest you, pay extra attention to the hashtags they are using. When it’s relevant, share their content and hashtags. That’s one way to show that their content resonates with you.

#6: Allow the algorithm magic to work
Instagram algorithm

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Avid users of Instagram will know how the Instagram algorithm can work to your advantage. As you follow your ‘dream companies’, the algorithm will offer suggestions for you to follow similar ones.

When the right associations and professional organisations pop up, here’s your chance to follow them to keep sight of trends and new developments in the various industries. If you can’t seem to find them on Instagram, head to the company’s website to see if you can spot their Instagram icon on their homepage.

As you slowly build your Instagram profile as a visual resume of your strengths, skills, and interests, do ensure that you do not neglect the type of content on your other social media channels too.

Set aside some time to ponder over the art of personal branding as the year slowly comes to a close.

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Take these 5 foods for dinner if you want to snooze better at night

raw-salmon-sushi

We all know how important sleep is for our overall health and well-being. And we’re not just talking about getting some shuteye but a good rest that can help you function properly the next day.

Do not underestimate eight hours of proper sleep because it may reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses, boost your brain health, and protect your immune system.

If you’re still reading this, thank you. Maybe you’ve tried various strategies to have a deep sleep or recently changed a new mattress to suit your sleeping style. Or perhaps you’ve attempted to tweak your diet, hoping to promote better sleeping properties.

Whatever it is, you might want to take these five foods for dinner if you’re planning to snooze better at night.

#1: Almonds
almond nuts from a jar

Image Credits: Verywell Fit

Alongside a variety of nuts, almonds are a source of the hormone, melatonin. Melatonin is important because it regulates your internal clock, sending the right signals for your body to rest at night.

Apart from it being a rich source of melatonin, it’s also full of the sleep-enhancing mineral magnesium. Just 28 grams of almonds can provide your body with 19% of your daily needs for magnesium. Those who have insomnia should consume adequate amounts of magnesium to reduce the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

In addition to that, almonds consist of many nutrients with great health benefits. The same 28 grams of dry roasted nuts contain several percentages of an adult’s daily needs for phosphorus, riboflavin, and manganese.

Thanks to its healthy monounsaturated fats, fibre, and antioxidants, eating almonds regularly can help lower risks of type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. It may also protect your cells from harmful inflammation.

#2: Turkey
Christmas turkey dish

Image Credits: Tesco Real Food

Bet you weren’t expecting this to be on the list. With Christmas just around the corner, it seems like turkey is a perfect food to add to your dinner menu easily. Some people believe that consuming turkey can induce sleepiness or tiredness.

Remember how we talked about the importance of the hormone, melatonin in the first listing? To be exact, turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan, which increases the production of melatonin. It could be the very reason why people feel sleepy after eating it.

Another explanation could be due to the protein in turkey. Studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of protein before bed can promote better-uninterrupted sleep with less waking up in the middle of the night.

#3: Kiwis
Kiwi fruit salad

Image Credits: Foodal

One kiwi fruit contains only about 42 calories and makes an ideal sweet treat to have before bed without feeling much guilt. More importantly, it has great potential to improve sleep quality. Please do not just take our word for it but trust what research says.

Based on a month-long study, a group of 24 adults ate 2 kiwis an hour before hitting the sack each night. When the study concluded, the researchers found that the participants fell asleep more quickly than compared to before. They also had improved uninterrupted sleep and a total increase in sleep time.

This could be the works of several sleep-promoting effects of kiwis, including serotonin, a brain chemical that helps modulate sleep cycles. Anti-inflammatory antioxidants in kiwis like vitamin C and carotenoids also have a huge part to play.

#4: Fatty Fish
grilled-salmon-steak

Image Credits: The Spruce Eats

We’re referring to fatty fish varieties such as salmon, tuna, trout, and mackerel because of their exceptional amounts of vitamin D. Just an 85-gram serving of sockeye salmon already contains 570 international units (IU) of vitamin D. And that’s not all.

Fatty fish contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). You may have read or heard before that omega-3 fatty acids can protect against heart diseases and boost brain health.

But more significantly, the combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D in fatty fish can improve your sleep quality. This is as a result of the increase in the production of serotonin, the same brain chemical we stated in our kiwi listing.

Based on the results of a study, men who ate 300 grams of Atlantic salmon 3 times a week for half a year fell asleep faster than men who ate other types of meat. Vitamin D is believed to have a considerable part to play in this phenomenon.

#5: White Rice
steamed white rice

Image Credits: Food Network

We can foresee some heads turning left and right. Especially for people on a diet, having white rice for dinner may sound ridiculous. But hear us out first before you decide to say no.

First, you got to know that the main difference between white and brown rice is that white rice is a product after bran and germ are removed. This in turn results in lower fibre, nutrients, and antioxidants. Not to mention that it’s also carb-rich.

But also thanks to its lack of fibre and high carbs content, it has a pretty high glycemic index (GI). In short, GI is a measure of how quickly a particular food can increase your blood sugar. Foods with a high GI taken at least an hour before bedtime has shown to enhance sleep quality.

In fact, research on sleep habits of more than 1,800 people based on their intake of rice, bread, or noodles has revealed that higher rice intake was linked to better and longer sleep than consuming bread or noodles alone.

But as with all things, moderation is key. If you suspect that you’re having a severe sleep disorder or require a professional opinion, please visit a sleep disorder clinic as soon as your schedule frees up.

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How Everest Gold Compares Most Favourably Amongst Various Platforms for Gold Investments

Gold prices have been on an amazing run in 2020. It has surged from USD 1,550 to reach USD 1,800  (Source: goldprice.org) in November 2020. Increasingly, investors also recognise the importance of having gold in their portfolios. When it comes to gold investments, investors are spoilt for choice since there are various platforms available in the market.  We researched across the various platforms to determine the most cost-effective and efficient way of investing in gold.

Comparison of Various Platforms for Gold Investments

Here is a comparison of the common platforms available for gold investments on key metrics such as transaction fee, storage fee, etc.

Everest Gold

Everest Gold’s digital trading platform is the first-of-its-kind to introduce real gold bullions broken down into digital gold units called Everest Gold Units (EGUs), that allows gold investors to trade from as low as 0.01grams. Every EGU is 100% backed by real gold and matched on a 1:1 basis.  Investors can accumulate their EGUs and exchange them for physical gold.

The minimum capital to trade starts from USD 0.60, the equivalent of 1 EGU, making it highly affordable for everyone. Moreover, its users enjoy fairer prices without paying high premiums commonly levied by retail banks. Fees are non-existent since there is no transaction fee and storage fee. The combination of no fees and fair price offers investors the chance to maximise their profits. This stands in steep contrast to transaction and storage fees typically charged by retail banks and bullion dealers.

Everest Gold platform is also highly accessible and allows investors to trade gold 24/7 on the mobile app. Such instantaneous liquidity is another attribute not usually offered by traditional retail banks and bullion dealers.

Everest Gold is available for download on Android, iOS and accessible from desktop.

For more information, visit https://everestgold.sg

 

 

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6 Ways To Write Emails With Stylish Confidence

Many of us spend a good chunk of our mornings to sending and reading emails. Surely, email-related tasks are permanently part of our to-do lists. However, do you do it with confidence and proper etiquette?

#1: REMEMBER THAT EVERYTHING IS DOCUMENTED

As writing emails become second nature to us, we sometimes forget that our work email is not always private. Remember that your work email technically belongs to the company. It can be fully monitored. In the age of fast-paced social media, an unpleasant email can easily spread out in a matter of seconds. You will not be able to retract a statement that fast! So, be professional at all times when you are using your work email.

Work emails are part of your company’s formal written records. Sometimes, these records can be used as admissible documents in the court. Those emails can be shared as a part of any legal proceedings and can be used directly against you. Thus, you must be careful in writing emails that contain sensitive information or commentary about other employees or clients.

#2: SET A REALISTIC TIMELINE FOR DEADLINES

We all have different work habits and some people do not have a sense of urgency when it comes to completing deadlines. Instead of writing “The deadline is tomorrow at 10:00 am!”, you may write something similar to this: “When can you get this done?” You may also write how much you will appreciate it if he or she can finish the draft today because you will have enough time to discuss necessary changes before the tomorrow’s deadline.

Help your co-worker see that you cannot extend or push deadlines because of him or her. We all exhaust our resources to meet the deadlines. It is only fair for others to do the same. Asking about the person’s timeline can instill responsibility because he or she knows that there is someone waiting for his or her output.

#3: HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

When giving out suggestions, you may write: “I think maybe we can…” This statement does not exude confidence and assertiveness. Instead, you may write: “It will be best if we can…” The second statement gets straight to the point too.

Everyone is busy, including you! It is best to get your point across as early as possible. Start the email with a quick and friendly greeting to address the person. Then, follow it up with the request or issue that needs to be addressed. “Input needed for project X by Tuesday (December 1), at 3pm”, writes Employee A. This message will alert the reader right away. Do add supporting details in bullet points or separate paragraphs so that no part of the request or issue is left out.

#4: STOP APOLOGIZING IN EMAILS

Refrain from starting a message with “sorry to bother you…” The act of sending an email entails a small intrusion on the reader’s time. If you really need to communicate via email, keep it short and concise. You do not need to apologize for sending out important matters. Moreover, apologizing throughout the email takes away the main idea of your message and diminishes confidence in you as the sender.

#5: DO NOT SPAM YOUR CO-WORKERS

As said above, everyone is busy. Please do not spam your co-workers with multiple emails every time you have a new idea. Keep a running list of the things you need to discuss or to ask to your co-workers. Then, send the list once a day. Saying that “it can be easier to discuss this in person” is better than re-writing an email for an hour with multiple threads.

Spare your energy to productive matters. Have a quick chat with the primary person over a cup of coffee. This way, you will be able to get your point across efficiently and you will be able to receive feedback at a faster rate.

#6: FORWARD NECESSARY EMAILS

Save your reader’s time and energy by using the “forward” button exactly where you are in the conversation. By doing so, your reader will immediately spot the message that you want him or her to see. Your reader will avoid shuffling through a pile of previous messages too! Furthermore, you can write: “let me know if you have questions” upon sending.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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