employability Archives | MoneyDigest.sg

5 Dollar-Worthy Personal Transformations

The year 2017’s closure is upon us! There is always something about the turn of the calendar that makes people itch for a dramatic change. Dramatic life change begins in personal transformations. Reinventing yourself can be the most profitable investment that you will make.

The unwavering effort that you put into investing in yourself plays a significant role in determining your quality of life at present and in the future.

TO THE FIERCELY BOLD

One of the quickest transformations that you can employ is wearing a red lipstick. Its classic and feminine shade is universally wearable for all skin tones. It makes your teeth look whiter too! Furthermore, it can leaves a lasting impact on job interviews or first dates.

Choosing the perfect red lipstick is similar to choosing the perfect jewelry. You must go for the piece that attracts you the most. I, for one, recommend MAC’s Ruby Woo or Smashbox Bawse by Lilly Singh.

LEAN TOWARDS SELF-CARE

Even at a young age, my father imparted the importance of fitness. Fitness is more than just a hobby for him – it is his way of life. He makes an effort to choose healthier options as much as possible. Awareness of your physical health is a crucial part of self-care. Improve your holistic health by getting sufficient sleep, having a balanced diet, and taking a break.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You do not have to spend too much to recharge yourself. You can either eat out with your workmates, briskwalk at the nearby park, or binge watch on Netflix. Unloading your stress every once in a while reduces the damage in your “overloading system”.

POLISH YOUR BRAND

Recruitment officers typically receive a volume of video and PowerPoint resumes. These methods shape one’s professional brand. You know that you live in the 21st century when you have to think of your online and offline branding.

Our dependence to the Internet paved way for the emergence of social media. Use social media to your advantage by keeping your online profiles relevant or current. Ensure that your pages carry the same profile picture, contact details, and writing style. Headhunters or recruiters can easily reach you when you reguarly update the essentials.

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS

One of the core values that my alma mater embedded on us was the importance of lifelong learning. Investing in the expansion of your knowledge and skills can take various forms. The common route is to take a graduate degree. You can also advance by taking extra classes, relevant certifications, or online courses.

Other forms of skill investment avenues include creative workshops such as painting and pottery workshops. It is no secret that the scope of your education and the variety of your skills increase your employability.

TO THE GLOBETROTTER

Who says that personal transformation and endless entertainment do not go hand in hand? Roaming the globe entails immersing into someone else’s culture while having a relaxing getaway.

Traveling enables you to taste different cuisines, to smell different aromas, to listen to different types of music, and to observe other people’s opinions. Engaging in conversations with people from various ethnic backgrounds opens your mind to new perspectives. That mental transformation contributes to your maturity.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Personal transformation begins with cultivating a newfound thought. Whether or not you are open to change, it is inevitable that it will happen. You can either experience minute changes such as cutting your hair or widescale adjustments such as starting a family.

Once you have committed yourself to a decision, take confident action. Remember what the Latin proverb once highlighted: “Fortune favors the bold!”

Sources: 1 & 2

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

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

4 Stand-out Hobbies You Shall Put In Your C.V. To Elevate Your Employability

You may think that the “hobbies and interests” section in your Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) is rubbish but, it is not! Often underestimated by many, a good hobbies and interests section has several benefits.

First, this section gives you the opportunity to manifest your endearing personality and characteristics. Second, it allows you to support your working experience and claimed skill set. Third, it helps you create smooth conversations with the interviewer. And lastly, it helps the interviewer decide if you are culturally fit in the company you are applying for.

With all these in mind, here are the 4 Stand-out Hobbies You Shall Put In Your C.V. To Elevate Your Employability…

1. PARTICIPATING IN TEAM SPORTS

If you participate in any team sports then, do not hesitate to include it in your C.V. or resume. Team sports show your capacity to work with others in the pursuit of a goal. Furthermore, it shows that you are able to commit and learn from your mistakes. These qualities are particularly desirable in industries that need interpersonal relationships and great teamwork.

2. WRITING

An interest in writing (i.e., through making your own poetry website, writing a book, managing a blog, etc.) gives emphasis on your communication skills and creativity. These strengths are desirable in the application of editorial and public relations positions.

Aside from this, most often than not, your interviewer will be Google-ing you before your interview. And, having your own blog or website will give you an edge over others. In fact, based on personal experience, I had come to more than two interviews wherein they would compliment how interesting and how eloquent I am in my blog. From search engine optimization to social media management and language skills, having your own creative writing hobby boosts your image and offers a peek inside your beautiful mind.

3. GOING TO MUSEUMS OR READING BOOKS

You may think that putting “museum enthusiast” or “bookworm” in your C.V. is boring but, it is not! These interests allow you to showcase your thirst for knowledge and education. This quality is especially favorable if you are applying for a position as a researcher.

4. TRAVELING

Wanderlust can enjoy not only the perks of travel but also the perks of employability. Having a strong desire to explore the world gives the impression that you are brave enough to step out of your comfort zone.

While traveling, you are planning your finances and budgeting your expenses. Through this, you picked up organizational skills. While traveling, you are able to befriend a person from a different culture or even learn a local phrase or two. Through this, you picked up communication skills.

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

Moreover, writing that your hobbies include traveling will show that you are open to relocate. A quality that is sought after by many global companies today.

Sources: 1 & 2

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