career Archives | Page 35 of 43

Despite Higher Wages, Thirst For F&B Workers Is Higher Than Ever

Regardless of the 5.6% increase in the wages of the accommodation and food services sector in 2013, Singaporeans are still keeping away from the jobs it offers.

In fact, job vacancies in this sector elevated from 5,010 in 2011 to 7,740 in 2014. Majority of these vacancies carried the positions of waiters, followed by food service counter assistants and cooks. Employers even added that these positions were hard to fill with locals.

To be fair, this is influenced by the ever so growing number of establishments. The Singapore Department of Statistics conducted a survey last year and found that there were about 6,750 establishments in the food and beverage (F&B) industry in 2013!

With overflowing establishments and lack of manpower, businesses may turn to other options such as outsourcing talents abroad or letting the employee perform multiple positions.

Nonetheless, if you are at the crossroads right now, it is good to contemplate on entering the welcoming arms of the F&B industry.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

There are a lot of positions and wages you can choose from! Here are just some of them:

1. GENERAL MANAGER

Average salary per month: S$7,000

The restaurant’s general manager supervises all the employees and oversees the profile and loss of the business. The general manager does this by exploring the ways to cut costs and increase sales. Also, it is his responsibility to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the restaurant.

2. EXECUTIVE CHEF

Average salary per month: S$7,000

The executive chef is brain behind the kitchen operation. He or she is tasked to create the menu and recipes with the head chef, manage the product inventory, supervise the kitchen staff, and perform some administrative work. In most cases, this executive position does not require one to cook on a daily basis.

3. RESTAURANT MANAGER

Average salary per month: S$3,000

Aside from the day-to-day operations, it is the restaurant manager’s job to attend to the restaurant maintenance, customer complaints, staff hiring and training. Usually, the average pay for restaurant managers in hotels are higher by a couple of thousands.

4. HOST

Average salary per month: S$1,800-S$2,200

The host is in charge of assisting the guests to their designated tables and taking reservations from the guests. Also, they graciously handle the walk-in customers.

5. WAITER

Average salary per month: S$1,800-S$2,200

Waiters or service attendants set and clear the tables. They are familiar about the restaurant’s menu. In other restaurants however, waiters are divided into two groups namely: a.) to support the senior waiters and b.) to perform other tasks such as preparing the bread and coffee.

6. SOUS CHEF

Average salary per month: Differs per division

The sous chef is the next in line when the head chef is not around. He or she is the one you can count on when you need the extra help in the kitchen. Also, he makes sure that the qualities of the ingredients are maintained.

The sous chef position exists within a hierarchy that is divided into three levels namely: executive sous chef, senior sous chef, and junior sous chef. The average salaries per month respectively are S$3,600, S$3,200, and S$2,500.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

4 Highest Paying Jobs That Extroverts Can Excel On

Generally, extroverts have an advantage in the professional scene due to their approachable and outgoing nature. They flow through life in search of interpersonal interactions, leadership opportunities, and new experiences.

That said, here are some of the highest paying jobs that extroverts can excel on:

4. FINANCIAL ADVISOR/FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

Average of S$48,834 per year

Financial Advisors or Financial Consultants (FA) are professionals who guide their clients to manage their money, investment options, and asset relocation. But, they do more than that!

They socialize with the clients directly to learn more about their personal goals and financial situations. Furthermore, they face rejection on a regular basis. A circumstance that introverts feel uncomfortable with.

It is an excellent job for extroverts as FAs are constantly exposed to long-term establishment of good relationships between various clients. Yes! The relationship does not diminish after the “sale” is done.

3. PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

Average of S$59,700 per year

As the name suggests, working in public relations enables you to manage and represent the client’s public image by maintaining quality relationships with others. Especially with the popularity of social media, everyone has the power to share their views on any subject. This is something that the Public Relations Manager should take care of.

Public Relations Managers must have strong interpersonal skills to nurture a network of relevant media contacts and develop a desirable corporate image. They are responsible for directing publicity programs and for clarifying the company’s stand in important issues.

If public speaking, strategizing, and socializing is your thing then, a career in public relations is perfect for you!

2. MARKETING MANAGER

Average of S$69,121 per year

Marketing Managers are responsible for supervising advertising, marketing, and promotional staff as well as supervising the organization’s activities. Confidence is necessary as they prepare marketing strategies alongside people with higher positions such as company executives.

Creativity, communication skills, leadership skills, and desire for new challenges are needed as a Marketing Manager. Interestingly, extroverts usually have these amazing qualities!

1. LAWYER/ATTORNEY

Average of S$77,698 per year

Lawyers or attorneys represent different individuals, organizations, and government agencies in range of legal matters. Contrary to popular belief, most of their time are spent away from the court. Instead, they communicate directly with the clients and other key people to investigate matters, collect evidence, and draft legal documents.

When in trial, he or she must present the facts and argue legal matters in court while in front of a sea of people. Lawyers must use their wit and communication skills to make the arguments convincing and compelling. That is why this career appeals more to extroverts!

So, how does one become a Singaporean lawyer and earn about S$6,474.83 a month?

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

You must complete a 4-year Bachelor of Law program and succeed in the Bar Examination that includes a 5-month practical Law course. Persevere as most people only move up from their position after 20 years in this field!

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ,& 6

4 Skills That Increase Your Employability And Edge From The Rest

Upon entering the room, every employer is on the lookout for a specific set of skills that is necessary for the vacant position.

You must be aware of these “job-specific” skills as well as the ones that are generally sought after by employers all over the world. Fortunately, most people have these skills to some extent while others can improve these skills through mentorship, training, and professional development.

What skills do you really need in order to get ahead from the rest?

1. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

It is no secret that developing good relationships and successfully delivering your ideas is critical in business. Whether you are looking for a job or wanting to get a promotion, communication skills is an asset that will get you to where you want to go.

Communication skills encompasses your ability to fluently converse through written and oral forms. It builds genuine relationships where you can count on others for information and help. Also, it serves as a tool to convey your thoughts on how to improve the organization. Now, that is a sure-fire way to get noticed!

2. TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

One of the most important commodities on Earth is time. Once it is gone, you cannot take it back nor can you buy it in bulk. Time is very precious and wasting it can result to loss of profits. This is why employers value job hunters that are able to efficiently divide their time to meet the urgent tasks and deadlines.

Great time management skills produce many benefits such as higher productivity, reduced stress levels, and better quality of work.

Always remember that it is healthy to spare some time for yourself and your family too!

3. PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Henry Kaiser once said: “Trouble is only an opportunity in work clothes.”

Troubles or problems in the workplace are inevitable. And, having strong problem solving skills can help you manage these daily hurdles. Start by defining the situation and the problem at hand. Then think of the available options, resources, and alternatives. After which, you must analyze and select the best solution.

Showcase your creativity and reasoning abilities by approaching the problems from different angles!

4. LIFELONG LEARNING

Your ability to continuously learn is possibly the most important skill you need to cultivate your edge from the rest. Formal education and its resulting qualifications are viable. However, lifelong education maximizes your potential to get better jobs and to earn more.

Lifelong learning involves your motivation to deliberately develop throughout the course of your life. As of now, jobs require you to have the basic understanding of computer softwares and applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and emails.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

So whether it is learning a new technological device, a new skill, or a new attitude…there are untapped worlds to discover and many of which can open remarkable opportunities for you! 🙂

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , & 4

6 Essential Life Lessons I Got From My First Job

A couple of weeks after I graduated, I immediately landed my first full-time job. I was overwhelmed with how fast everything went! I know that there were going to be challenges ahead from workplace drama to workplace etiquette yet deep inside me, I felt excited and ready to transition to the working life.

In the beginning, my goal was to make enough money to save up for my graduate studies and to help my parents in the household expenses. I did so.

Aside from following my long-term goals, here were the essential lessons I realized from my first job experience after graduating from university…

1. LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

As I transitioned to the working scene, everyday was a constant process of development and learning. Learn as much as you can from the experienced people around you who had been working for years. They are the ones whom you can turn to if you have concerns or worries.

I was very lucky to have an open relationship with my colleagues. They taught me how to properly address complaints and how to not take everything personally. This open relationship eventually blossomed to treasured friendships.

2. SHOW INITIATIVE AND ENTHUSIASM

Initiative and enthusiasm are charming qualities good employees possess. Showing your bosses that your are eager to learn, are dedicated to do every task, and are taking control of your responsibilities would make them feel that you are an asset to the company. I made it a point to exude enthusiasm, give my best, and work as quickly as possible.

Even as I left my first job, my superiors considered me as an invaluable part of the team. It made me realize that my efforts were all worth it.

3. MONEY IS VALUABLE

When I was younger, I worked part-time to buy clothes, movie tickets, and more materialistic things. I never saw the true value of money until I had my first full-time job. It is very hard to spend the money you worked hard for! This is because you know the exact amount of time and how much sweat you pour just to earn your month’s salary.

Being independent with my finances made me realize how important it is to practice budgeting and tracking your expenses.

4. REWARD YOURSELF

As much as you work hard, you must also play hard. Reward yourself with a responsible amount of 5-8% of your monthly salary. Find interests outside of work such as dancing, swimming, or cooking to cushion your daily stress.

Also, rewarding yourself with a hobby is a good way to keep you motivated. Personally, I found blogging as a passionate pastime. Shockingly, it become my career in the present.

5. PRACTICE HANDLING CONFLICTS

Facing conflicts such as customer complaints are probably one of the nerve wrecking things I encountered as a newbie in the working scene. At first I prefer to hide in my senior employee’s shadow but then a friend told me that it was better to practice conflicts while young. Not only because people are able to forgive you easier, but also because you are able to build conflict resolution skills that you will benefit from in the long run.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Be firm and polite when dealing with conflicts.

6. BE BRAVE TO SUGGEST CHANGE

My previous boss encouraged us to propose changes and to outwardly speak our opinions in order to improve the business and the workplace relationships. Although some of your colleagues have more experience than you, keep in mind that your opinion is equally valuable.

Be brave enough to propose change if you think it serves others well.

Nothing good will ever happen unless you try! 🙂

Source: Miss Psychobabble

6 Foolproof Ways To Make Your Clients Like You More

With the modern technology, an unhappy customer can easily share his or her opinion to various social media platforms, which will negatively affect your business. Truly, keeping your existing clients satisfied is a crucial part of a successful business. Nurturing relationships can increase client referrals and decrease the loss of valued clients.

On that note, here are 6 Foolproof Ways To Make Your Clients Like You More…

1. COMMUNICATE GENUINELY

Communicate genuinely to your existing and potential clients as a knowledgeable representative of the business. Addressing the client by name seems trivial however, it is a simple way to build rapport. Increase your clients’ happy experiences even more by talking to them in a manner that they prefer, whether it be through phone, email, or in person.

2. LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY

Aside from talking to them genuinely, you must actively listen to what they have to say. You may assume that you know what they want but, what if you are utterly wrong? In fact, most companies fail because they are creating a product with a non-existent demand.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

So, accept feedback and take necessary actions to improve your business. Use the following methods to gather feedback from your clients: focus groups, social media, surveys, online Forms, and observation.

3. DO NOT MAKE PROMISES YOU CANNOT KEEP

Set realistic and reasonable deadlines to avoid disappointing others. If you promised to deliver the product or send the contract in two weeks then, deliver it within two. Nothing damages your trusting relationship more than a series of broken promises!

4. PROMPTLY RETURN EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS

In conjunction with No.3, you must promptly return emails and phone calls as promised. Interestingly, the top complaint clients have about lawyers are unreturned phone calls. Adopt a habit of replying emails and returning calls at night before you sleep or early in the morning so, you do not miss a thing!

5. OFFER PROMOTIONS AND ONGOING SUPPORT

A surefire way for your clients to like you is to offer occasional promotions and discounts. Keep them in the loop by sending out electronic announcements and decorating your shop with attractive posters. Additionally, you must offer excellent customer service by responding quickly to clients’ needs. The strong ability to deliver excellent customer service will be your edge over your competitors. One consideration is providing support through a help desk software, such as Zendesk. If you are looking for a Zendesk alternative, check out why Kayako is winning with its ease of use, flexibility and affordability.

6. SHOW YOUR GRATITUDE

You do not have to spend thousands of dollars to extend your gratitude to your loyal consumers. Manifest your appreciation to your clients by saying “Thank You” in person or by sending an electronic “Thank You note”. This simple gesture will impact the way that they view your company. It will make them feel valued and special.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 & 2

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