career Archives | Page 24 of 44

How To Land A Job In The Modern Times

What is the best way to gain the attention of the esteemed recruiters? Consistently dropping your CV in the company’s e-mail? Or perhaps, you can dive into the fresh trend of using social media. The latter is your best bet yet!

Through smart networking and creative strategies, you can get your dream job. Here are just some strategies to keep you busy:

1. ACE YOUR PROFILE

Treat your social media profiles as your striking headlines because potential employers will see these first. Highlight your key skills and prior experiences by adding sufficient information in the “Biography (Bio)” or “About Me” section. For instance, Facebook allows you to include your previous titles by editing the “Work and Education” tab.

Complete your profile by attaching a high-quality and professional photo.

2. USE THE PROFILE’S DIRECTORY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

If you follow the coveted company’s page on Twitter or Facebook, chances are, they are linked to the current employees and employers. Follow or send a friend request to these people and treat them as your inside source. They may post job vacancies to their feeds or walls before these vacancies are widely advertised.

During the job interview, you will have a rough insight about the company and will be able to find a common ground with the interviewer.

3. BE PROACTIVE IN THE CONVERSATIONS

Take part in the healthy discussions related to the industry or the company that you have been eyeing on. You may share an article that interests you, comment on interesting threads, or open a discussion on your profile. Engage your followers by asking stimulating questions.

Respond to these comments to get a holistic perspective about a company or an issue.

4. STAY PROFESSIONAL AT ALL TIMES

Facebook is usually the first platform that hiring managers visit to get an idea of the “real” you. So unless you want them to know about your addiction to Laksa and Adidas sneakers, you must keep your profile professional at all times.

No matter how much you calibrate your privacy settings, your so-called friends can still screen grab your posts. Be careful what you put online! Remember that many of your future employers will be using social media to spy on you.

5. CREATE AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

Hiring managers know that Instagram is one of the main tools that younger generations use today. To look for young talents, they post ads on Instagram. Just search through the keyword “#singaporejobs” to find lots of entries!

You may create an Instagram account that focuses on your brand. Say that you want to work in Singapore’s fashion industry. Stay ahead of the crowd by showing off your unique style through regular snaps of your #OOTD. Do not forget to tag the company’s products in the picture. This is one way for them to notice your talent and to appreciate your free publicity.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Friendly reminder: Use the power of technology with caution. You do not want to get scammed or mistreated because you let your guards down. 🙂

What Not To Do When Requesting For A Raise

Your heart is racing fast and thoughts continue to run into your head. You are about to ask for a pay raise. The best outcome that you can imagine is getting more than what you requested. However, you will be happy to see a small bump up your monthly salary.

Let us face it! When requesting for a raise, there are only a few ways to get it right and many ways to get it wrong. Here are just some scenarios that pertain to the latter:

A STORM OF ULTIMATUMS

Roger came into the room equipped with his egotistical tone. He said: “If I do not get a 20% raise, I am quitting today.” Like Roger, it is natural to crave for fair compensation. Our employers need to see how valuable we are. But, you do not have to waltz in the room with your ultimatums. You may end up quitting abruptly just to save face!

Treat the act of requesting for a raise as a business negotiation. Psychological strategies and conversation tools can sway the opinion of another through a pleasant exchange.

A PERSONAL TURMOIL

Your personal problems including the monetary ones are your problems alone. You took the coveted job and accepted the employer’s offer. I know that emotions can run through the roof when you feel like you are getting duped. However, it is not professional to blame your boss or unload your emotional turmoil onto him or her.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Calm down and clear your inner conflicts before you discuss about your pay.

A COMPLAIN MENTALITY

In a 2015 interview, local comedian Hossan Leong highlighted that we live in a society driven by the “complain mentality”. He proved this by saying: “One complaint and everyone is up-in-arms. There is a knee-jerk reaction.” Do not let this mentality affect your actions when asking for a raise!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Your argument should not be based on what your co-workers have that you do not. Instead, it should be based on your accomplishment and performance. Find out the average salary ranges for your position by visiting informative websites such as Payscale.com and by asking credible resources.

Sources: 1 & 2

5 Cover Letter Mistakes That’ll Hurt Your Chances Of Getting The Job

The premise is simple. Your Cover Letter (CL) is meant to complement and highlight the content of your Curriculum Vitae (CV). You probably written several job applications, so you will have an idea of how a CL should be structured. However, you may make the same mistakes over and over again.

CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY

As a newbie in the workforce, you may think that sending as many job applications as you can will boost your chances of landing an interview. There is just one problem! You forgot to alter the “company’s name”. This may be an obvious thing, but it happens to the best of us.

Putting the wrong company name instantly sends poor impression. Avoid this mistake by asking a trusted friend or family member to proofread your Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae.

IN THE SEA OF EXCUSES

Tackling the excuses of a co-worker who regularly takes time off work is irritating! Imagine if you applied the same tone to your CL. As CLs generally have a maximum length of one page, you do not have to expand on the reasons why you hop to different occupations, why you left the previous companies, or why you missed some opportunities.

Rationalizing your actions may take away the attention from your valuable assets and transfer it to the things that weigh you down.

PAGES OF A LENGTHY NOVEL

When the interviewer looks at your CL, he or she scans for the keywords. This is why you must keep your document concise and straightforward. Who likes reading a mountain of text, anyway? Not me!

Writing more content does not necessarily mean that your CL is better. As I said above, a single page is enough. Describe how your experience and qualifications fulfill the requirements of the position that you are applying for. Then, wrap things up.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

The issue of money is somewhat of a grey area. You shall not reveal your expected salary right away in a CL, unless you are specifically asked to do so. It is not the right place or time to negotiate your salary.

As Lisa Benson, the President and CEO of Mary Kraft Staffing & HR Solutions, once said: “No prospective employer wants to hire someone who is only about the money.”

GENERIC IS THE BRAND

Shy away from cliché phrases, if you want to show your enthusiasm towards the job. The interviewer or the recruiter receives countless applications that merely enumerates their skills (e.g., team player or hardworking). Shine above the rest by backing your unique skills with facts and results.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

One of the issues that recruiter’s encounter is reading endless generic statements. So, be unique!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Boost Your Global Employability With These 3 Major Skills

Increasing your employability by honing your skills is always a good idea, if you are trying to earn more. Having the following skills could improve your chances in the international market…

PROGRAMMING (CODING AND SCRIPTING)

Whether you refer to it as programming or coding, this skill plays an important part in our modern lives. This skill is in demand worldwide with a foreseeable rise of 5% each year. Equipping yourself with this digital age skill will give you an opportunity to branch out in any sector such as finance, healthcare, and entertainment (e.g., music recording company).

Our government noticed the clamor for this skills, which is why they integrated Information and Communications Technology (ICT) program in the Singapore Budget 2016. This initiative helps people adapt to the evolving job demands.

MARKETING (NEGOTIATING AND INFLUENCING)

Skills that fall under marketing incorporates in-depth human interactions. Marketing requires cultural sensitivity and social perceptiveness when establishing a working relationship with the clients. Furthermore, it includes negotiating and convincing skills in its umbrella.

As Singaporeans are perpetually glued to their devices, you can see how digital marketing influences the target audience. Observe how Facebook or Instagram ads get noticed globally. It can be measured by the amount of “likes”.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Despite these contemporary tactics, I believe that no amount of artificial intelligence can replace a skilled individual when resolving complaints and closing deals.

COMMUNICATING (ORAL AND WRITTEN)

One of the major skills that employers are looking for is the ability to communicate orally and in writing, to different kinds of people. It is not enough to include that you are a good communicator in your C.V. You must provide evidence by starting a blog, heading clubs, or writing on a publication.

Improve your communicating ability by watching this empowering TED Talk by Business Sound Expert Julian Treasure:

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Energizing Breakfast Meals For Busy Singaporeans

When it comes to preparing breakfast meals, the options are endless. Adding pressure in time and health in the mix can narrow things down. So stay alert and sharp with these four meals:

FOR A COVETED JOB INTERVIEW

To ace a job interview, it is crucial to leave a lasting impression. Exude enthusiasm while answering the interviewer’s questions by eating a protein-packed breakfast. Egg has about five grams of protein along with other vitamins and minerals. It also contains choline, which may delay your fatigue.

If you are feeling a bit fancy, you may add some smoked salmon in your omelet. The Omega-3 in salmon will help you sharpen your concentration. Save some time by purchasing the marinated salmon at the nearby grocery.

FOR AN EARLY MEETING

Put a healthy spin on the classic peanut butter toast by adding chopped bananas and a dash of chia seeds. The fusion of banana and peanut butter spread will make your stomach feel easily satisfied. Furthermore, chia seeds are rich in dietary fiber and protein! Your body needs all these to keep your mind pumping as you start an early meeting with the board members.

Worry not about the accessibility of organic chia seed as you can get a S$19-bag at FairPrice.

FOR BEATING A STRESSFUL DEADLINE

In Singapore, it is common to encounter a co-worker or a friend who juggles a full-time and a part-time job. Having overlapping deadlines can be stressful for these people. The keep to keeping your mind calm under stress is consuming folate. Folate and vitamin K are present in avocado.

Prepare a quick meal by mashing an avocado and spreading it across a whole grain bread. Add two “sunny-side up” eggs for a well-rounded breakfast. Then, finish it off by sprinkling some salt and pepper.

FOR YOUR PROPOSAL JITTERS

Congratulations! Your boss finally entrusted you with presenting a proposal to your important clients. Speaking in front of a “demanding” panel can make your stomach growl with extreme nervousness. What must you do?

Make a cup of plain yogurt your morning staple. Yogurt helps in boosting your energy and digestion. Look for a brand with no added sugar or flavors to avoid stomach irritation. You may add fresh fruits if you want.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

One serving can cost you about S$4 or less!

Sources: 1 & 2

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