August 2010 ~ Career Guides and Jobs in Singapore

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Of guerrilla tactics and job hunting. Some "dirty little tricks" to improve your search.

8:49 AM

Remember our cool jobs post? We like challenging you by throwing interesting but insightful questions once in a while on this blog. A way to induce breathers? You can call it that, but we do this primarily to get you to share your insights with us, much like our goal for headlines that matter and survey discussion. The same goal but in a different approach of getting results, get it? Here's another one.

Why should job hunters be like guerrillas to get the kind of result they want? What do you think? Just in case, www.dictionary.com defines a guerrilla as "a member of a band of irregular soldiers that uses guerrilla warfare, harassing the enemy by surprise raids, sabotaging communication and supply lines, etc. " Someone with a goal and will do just about everything to get that goal, so to speak.

Here's what the author of the theory has to say. Check if his views are the same as yours. "Conventional job search tactics get conventional results – no matter what country you live in", David Perry, owner of Perry-Martel International Inc. and co-author of Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0 has told us when we've interviewed him for Career Advice. This is how we interpret his words: one needs to be different in how he handles things with his job search to get a result that's "different" from what the majority is getting -- one that actually offers a future. To catch the attention of employers right away so as to avoid frustration, in a nutshell. Have you heard of the book, BTW?

Is David implying that it's okay to be aggressive? Yes, but this isn't the same as making cold calls and also applying for job ads for which you don't qualify for, mind you. There's a big difference between making yourself more noticeable to employers and over doing it. David's guerrilla marketing comprise of "Guerrilla Resumes, the Coffee Cup Caper, and the Trojan Thank-You Note." Kind of self explanatory, really.

But how exactly can you make use of guerrilla tactics in your job hunting? You're lucky because David has also shared with us these tips. If you have time, you can download an hour long MP3 on this by going to the book's web site: www.GM4JH.com. We're listing these points in bullet form for your easy reference (we've injected them with some slices of our knowledge too. Better take things easy, after all):

Begin with clarity. Know what you want before sending your applications. This will make your job hunting organised.
Network. A favorite among career experts. Communicate with former colleagues, attend career events and also join social media sites like Linkedin and Facebook. Add us a friend on FB and join our network on Linkedin.
Be easy to find. Make your resume viewable online. Upload it on internet jobs portals likes JobsDB.com Singapore.
Stop sending cover letters. According to David, send sales letters, instead ( a pumped up cover letter that can "show" [not just tell] employers what you're capable of, so to speak). Feel free to explore the archives of this blog for tips on how you can do this or visit Career Advice at www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.
Stop sending resumes. You get the idea.
Let others sell you. Your references can make or break you. Only pick the one who you've really done business with and who knows your work ethics.
Do the thinking for the employer. Answer to their job ads. When writing your cover letter and resume, get to the employer's perspective.
Get on Linkedin. Not familiar with this website? Join our group there and send our manager a message for help. We'll be glad to assist you.
Sell money at a discount. Not the salary. Explain the employers how you can make or save them money.
Remember, "no" simply means "not today". The word shouldn't stop you from dreaming to get to that big company. You'll get your time.
Target employers precisely. Go back to number one.
When in doubt, do the opposite. Just another way to say that positivity counts.

Sounds difficult? Don't hesitate! Maybe it will help boost your morale if we post this here: "Doing what everybody else is doing may cost you dearly in lost income and lost opportunity. You may relegated to all but the dullest jobs – because the goods jobs were taken by those who went after them." Don't be afraid to embrace guerrilla tactics in your job hunting -- the tactics are being sold in book form for a reason.

A career expert as he is, we've also asked David his views on how job hunters can uncover the hidden jobs market. If you're a job hunter, he wants you to make yourself easier to find (joining career websites will do). And of course, he's also up for networking. But he's stated a reminder: "It’s better to reach the people who count, than to count the people you reach. Networking is not a numbers game." You can read more from David at www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Ask%20An%20Expert?ID=422.

'Guerilla Marketing For Job Hunters 2.0' is published by John Wiley & Sons, BTW, and is available in all good bookstores now. Find out more about the book at www.wiley.com.

We promise this week to be good for job seekers. What's in store? We're set to discuss new career seminars from LearningDB.com, for one. Secondly, we're due to feature new interviews with career experts about job interviews and resume writing. And of course, the job updates. Great things to look forward to for the coming days. Bookmark jobsdbsingapore.blogspot.com now for easy access.

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

JobsDB.com Singapore is committed to helping every job seeker land a good job. Currently looking for a job? Browse our jobs database and see if anything is of interest to you. It doesn't matter what industry you're in -- our jobs portal caters to every industry there is in Singapore, from Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs in Singapore to IT Job s and Singapore Hospitality Job s. Let us lead your way to rewarding jobs in Singapore, jump start you career with us.

For career tips, we recommend Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.

STEPS to career success -- No. 1

3:00 PM

Building a career can be tricky, what with its many crisscrosses. But it can be done smoothly, given proper preparation and knowledge on the antics of the job market. Here's the thing: the more you are in charge of the process, the better you will be handling the challenge, so don't be scared to step your career up -- building a career only gets scary if you do not know what it is that you really want to do in life.

In order for you to get this thing right, we suggest you follow these steps:

STEP ONE: Know your self -- your values, strengths, passions and favorite skills set. The place to start building career success is with your self -- it goes without saying. Your values are what run your life; the more your work life aligns with your values, the better sense of satisfaction you will get. Play by your strengths as well. Doing this will increase your self esteem and thus, improve your overall outlook in life.

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

Looking for a job? JobsDB.com Singapore is the preferred jobs portal for Singapore Careers and Jobs in Singapore - From Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs to Beauty Careers and Entertainment Jobs. Jumpstart your career with us. Apply for jobs from our 20,000 job listings here: www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Search/NewAdvanceSearch.

Motivation when looking for a job -- It’s no different than the need for speed in the practice of F1.

9:33 AM

We feel inclined to write about job hunting, job search, or whatever name you prefer to call the task, at least once a week. From Singapore job updates to commentaries on the task itself. To keep the motivation flowing on the part of job seekers is the main goal -- writing about it on a regular schedule can satisfy this need nicely. We get people to discuss things with us when we post anything about looking for a job on this blog, secondly. With other people also sharing their thoughts, JobsDB.com Singapore is able to create a portal of ideas, from which readers can get an assortment of tips to better their chances for a job. A strategy so simple yet, brilliant.

Okay, enough with the intro. This blog's been featuring job hunting since its birth, how are we going to fill in the need without sounding redundant? The possibilities are endless, really. We're taking today to discuss the difference between job hunting with a support system, technical or otherwise, by one's side and without. You didn't see that coming, did you?

If nothing else, job hunting is a big yarn ball of frustration. In today's competitive job market, having few people by your side to draw inspiration from will make you mutter "I give up" and "This is pointless" in no time. Giving up is the mother of all failures -- job hunting is no exception to this rule, needless to day. We're just making things complicated? You know very well that we're survival junkies when it comes to career (with career building being as tricky as it is, there's no other way to get the figures rolling to your favor but by playing commando, really).

Looking for a job in Singapore is never easy because of competition. The Singapore job market isn't popular to foreign workers for nothing. Family and friends are the best source of motivation for job seekers like you. It's not about keeping your ego intact, but rather getting the most help to stay motivated. Let your loved ones support you. You can be sure their support is genuine. Some of your friends can even give you access to hidden jobs -- maybe their employer is looking to hire someone like you. You never know.

Interest/hobby groups are also a great source of motivation. Join now, be it a fan club or a bookie group. Time is of the essence in job hunting, but that doesn't mean taking breaks is not advised.

Professional support refers to your network and if you're willing to pay, a career coach. We've said it many times on this blog -- there's nothing for you to lose in networking. The fact that many jobs are not advertised makes the strategy very appealing, if nothing else. More than 50% of jobs are found through networking, it's been stated by many recruitment professionals. But since our topic for today is not about how much networking can increase your chances of landing a job, allow us to get to the main point now. The bonus in doing networks is getting professional support -- the reason why we've included networking here in the first place. A healthy network is achieved when its members are actively helping each other not just through giving referrals but also advice. If it's been a while since you've last updated your contacts list, it's worth it to pause your pursuits for a while to make updates. If you can spare more time, try attending career events such as Singapore job fairs to meet new people. Troublesome? Again, you're doing this not just to tap the hidden jobs market but also benefit from other peoples' true stories.

Hiring a coach is going to bring unspeakable inputs to your job hunting, so yes, it's a move we suggest despite its cost. It works just like networking, only you get all the support and attention. A career coach will help you to reach your potential and teach you how to achieve results -- You'll find the lessons applicable for working professionals as well (something you can use when you're done with the searching too). We've already featured career coaching on this blog, but since we're all for your convenience, here's the main point there: A career coach can not only give you effective tips on career advancement and development, but also stand as your emotional support during times of uneasiness. Right, motivation. Professional.

For more job hunting tips, we recommend Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex. Can we interest you in some more career articles?

For your resume:

10 Steps in Creating an Outstanding Online Resume

Update Your Resume Today!

For your interview appointments:

The Right Answers to the Most Common Interview Questions

How to Ask Good Questions? It’s Not About You, It’s About Them

Speaking of CAREER EVENT, stay tuned for announcements on JobsDB Career Expo 2011. Last year's was a blast. We promise to make this even better.

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

Looking for a job? JobsDB.com Singapore is the preferred jobs portal for Singapore Careers and Jobs in Singapore - From Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs to Beauty Careers and Entertainment Jobs. Jumpstart your career with us. Apply for jobs from our 20,000 job listings here: www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Search/NewAdvanceSearch.

"The best of both wolds" in the Singapore job market

9:46 AM

How do you see the Singapore job market's popularity to foreign workers? Do you think it hinders you from reaching your goals? Or perhaps, you're one of those who believe that the strong foreign presence is a plus factor to the economy?

It's a common notion here that fewer foreign workers will reduce competition for jobs. The government, on the other hand, thinks that such a cutback will cause the economy to slow down because some industries will experience labour shortage.

"If we do it right, we can be the first labour movement in the world that's able to serve an "all CAN" workforce -- all collars, all ages, all nationalities". Labour chief Lim Swee Say wants the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to be the first labour movement in the world to represent all segments of workforce, a target he has set at the close of the movement's month-long National Day celebrations. A way to address the contrasting concerns of the government and locals. Something that promises better prospects for working professionals, both local and foreign. A good introduction to our first attempt in featuring this topic of debate on our blog, needless to say.

"It's possible to have the best of both worlds by improving employment and productivity so that we can increase gross domestic product and, at the same time, manage the inflow of foreign workers". Mr Say plans to tap the help of older workers and economically inactive women, boost productivity of the workforce, and improve the skills of foreign workers who do come to achieve the goal.

JobsDB.com Singapore has always believed that Singapore offers equal opportunities in career for local and foreign workers. As for what we think of Mr Say's strategy, it's going to work given participation from the workforce. It's a matter of whether the workers in question are going to participate or not, in our opinion. The perks to be offered must be interesting and compelling. What are your thoughts on Mr Say's GPOA? Let's discuss.

Our say on the contrasting views of the government and locals? The Straights Times has published a related article last Jun 28, which we've also featured on this blog for Headlines that Matter. Back then, we remember suggesting the locals to focus on developing their skills. We've also emphasized the importance of learning in career there. "Ensure that your skills are on a par with what the job market demands; then you'll not have problems". Anything about skills training and career development may seem hard to handle, but you have many resources. Career Events and LearningDB.com can lend you a hand for this goal, for instance.

The latest reports we've received from our partner organisations speak of positivity, bits of which have been the inspiration for the latest commentaries on job updates and market surveys on this blog. Snippets on "many industries are rehiring", "many jobs are in demand", "the balance of power is swinging back to the workforce", and the likes not only helped increase this blog's popularity but also inspired many people to be more aggressive in their job hunting. There's no denying the Singapore job market's road to full recovery. Competition's not THE problem. Focus on what you do best (and how you can improve that talent more) in your job hunting and you'll have no problems.

Foreigners who wish to work in Singapore need not be worried too. The issue's been raised, but that doesn't mean the gates will be closed. Looking to be a part of Singapore's economy? We suggest you pay expatsingapore.com and mom.gov.sg a visit to learn how the country goes about foreign employment. In a nutshell, this is how the process goes: The EPEC will allow you to stay in the country for up to one year to look for employment opportunities. Qualified EPEC applicants (see requirements for EPEC and other information @ mom.gov.sg), are required to apply for a one-year Visit Pass from the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA). Note however, that EPEC is not a work pass. Your new employer will be the one to get you the Employment Pass; you'll be allowed to work only after you get this pass. expatsingapore.com has provided a very comprehensive explanation on this.

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

JobsDB.com Singapore is committed to helping every job seeker land a good job. Currently looking for a job? Browse our jobs database and see if anything is of interest to you. It doesn't matter what industry you're in -- our jobs portal caters to every industry there is in Singapore, from Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs in Singapore to IT Job s and Singapore Hospitality Job s. Let us lead your way to rewarding jobs in Singapore, jump start you career with us.

For career tips, we recommend Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.

Your guide to writing in career || Writing in response to complaints, emailing, reports preparation, handwriting analysis, and more.

9:22 AM

No matter what career you're planning to embark on, whether it's an IT job that you're fancying or a banking career or what, you can't get away from the task of writing. It just seems inevitable for you to sharpen your writing skills through various resources such as study groups and skills training to continue moving. Most job openings, if not all, comprise of writing tasks; to achieve career success, you'll have to do these things marvelously, needless to say. Progress reports for admin professionals, stock studies for bankers, medical reports for those with doctor jobs and law memorandums for lawyers -- there's no going away from having to play words to get rewards in the work world. Plus the fact that email is now considered a major means of communication. Especially to a boss who prefers the medium for talks, how are you going to make yourself heard without good enough writing prowess?

But we're not suggesting you transform yourself into a writer. There's a big difference between improving your writing skills to perform better and making your head bleed for trying to sound like the late Goh Poh Seng. Might as well get a writing job if that's case.

The same goes for those already working and finding themselves in a writing hiccup. They say that not all people are born with greatness with regards to writing. Not being a part of this group of individuals doesn't mean you're stuck with satisfactory writing skills all your life. You CAN do something. LearningDB.com and Career Events are ready to give you a hand anytime. Career Events is having an interesting writing seminar this coming Sep and LearningDB.com has made Oct a galore for seminars on writing. These two will be keeping you busy.

We're sure you've seen the ad already. Career Events is having Everything you always wanted to know about handwriting analysis on Sep 4. You may ask, what does handwriting have to do with job hunting or career development? A lot, actually. Some employers use handwriting analysis in evaluating candidates. One can use the technique to improve his standing in the office e.g. relationships with boss and peers and handling some tasks, similarly. William Pang is also going to help you find out the type of jobs you're most suited for and teach you how to identify forged documents. For more information, please call Pei Yan or Linc at
6861 1000 or email us at marketinginfo@jobsdb.com.sg. Sign up at www.jobsdb.com.sg/StaticContent/SG/CareerEvents/events/Everything-about-handwriting-analysis.htm

Writing emails is complicated, it just seems simple. No matter which job industry you're in or eying to enter, being armed with sharp emailing abilities can be very powerful. The ever popular Shirley Taylor is set to have Energise Your E-mail Writing Skills again on Oct 22. A comprehensive workshop to help you make the most of e-mail! You'll get your money's worth.

Customer service jobs, telesales jobs, manager jobs -- These jobs require that you know how to do two things perfectly: respond to complaints and compile them in a good report. Have one of these jobs as your job? Planning to lead your career to one of these paths? Writing in Response to Complaints by popular trainer Jolynn Chow through LearningDB.com can teach you many things. Learn how to reply to customers effectively and turn complaints into opportunities. Jolynn will show you how to use empathy, how to structure your message logically, how to choose words that convey positive emotions, and how to repair and build relationships. The date to mark is Oct 14.

Admin jobs have evolved into being much more challenging in recent years. One reason for this is the addition of minutes writing in such jobs' roster of tasks. Whether you're focusing your search on HR jobs or office manager jobs, you might want to consider attending Writing Effective Minutes by Jolynn Chow. Learn how to record accurate notes at meetings and present clear and useful minutes. The date to remember is Oct 15.

For more information, please contact LearningDB.com at 6861 1000 or email to learning@jobsdb.com.sg.

LearningDB.com also offers seminars on Management and Leadership, Customer Relations, Sales & Marketing, Communication Skills, Personal Development, Finance, and Microsoft Office. See the training calendar for more information.

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

Looking for a job? JobsDB.com Singapore is the preferred jobs portal for Singapore Careers and Jobs in Singapore - From Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs to Beauty Careers and Entertainment Jobs. Jumpstart your career with us. Apply for jobs from our 20,000 job listings here: www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Search/NewAdvanceSearch.

For career tips, we recommend Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.

Of age limits and work experience requirements. What's up with these?

9:33 AM

While you may see this as an act of discrimination, there's a good reason why companies set specific requirements for their job openings. Practicality is the point to note here, not prejudice nor is it a twisted sort of acumen. It may make you feel bad, but companies make sure to list down what they want in detail for you to have something to contemplate on -- sort of like a test to applicants which will classify them into two very manageable sets by results-time: those worth the time to interview and not. Only the real qualified applicants are going to send resumes and cover letters that answer to what the ad needs directly, it's been noted by many recruitment specialists. Call it what you may, setting up strict requirements, albeit seemingly discriminatory, is a strategy that's long been written in the book -- something to make everything easier to process, effectively saving time and resources. In today's challenging work world, what company wouldn't want to save on these two?

In as much the same way as we have different talents and interests, job functions also have different needs. Engineering jobs require precision in numbers and technical details, for instance. Someone who prefers arts and crafts isn't likely to enjoy what he'll be expected to accomplish under such a position and it won't take long until he experiences dissatisfaction. College is where everything starts to make sense to a lot of us career-wise -- the addition of specific education degrees in the ads is not to make you feel bad about yourself but for you to know if you're considering the right career path or not.

What about those that tend to discriminate people in terms of appearance? Some receptionist jobs, tourism jobs, and TV broadcasting jobs ask for this "thing", because, well, they're from industries that thrive from public image and customer service -- just following what's written in the norms book, we suppose. It's the way things go -- there's no better way to explain this to you. You don't have to be physically attractive to reach the stars, anyway. What do you do best? Go for a job function that considers that talent as an asset.

As for age limits...well, we understand that age discrimination is a developing trend in today's job market, but you can make your age work for you instead of against you. Being older is a sign of dependability, wisdom and loyalty; you're entitled for a senior position, it goes without saying. You just have to look more eagerly as most of these kinds of jobs aren't advertised. Applying for a job for which you don't qualify for in terms of age will just make you seem desperate. Waiting is essential here. Ong Teong Wan, Consulting Partner for Corporate Training at SIM and Honorary Advisor to STADA on Professional Development has another good advice for older workers: "I think it will be useful for older workers to accept, if not opt for, contracts for service and go for variable remuneration or income instead of requiring fixed base salaries at some point in their career, as part of their career planning."

We understand that unemployment gives out a certain feeling of rush and insecurity, but even though applying for everything you see is a great way to feed the lack you're feeling, it's not going to take you anywhere. When it comes to career, everything should be thought of in the long run POV; doing this is just going to make you feel even more frustrated with your condition. Good words from Sandra Sandu-Reeves: "If you don't meet the requirements, wait for a suitable job opening. Aimless applications can frustrate the job seeker as much as recruiters."

Let JobsDB.com Singapore end this discussion with a quote from Anton Ego, the antagonist critic in the Pixar animated movie, Ratatouille: "Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." We're not talking about being artists here, but his point, when viewed in general sense, is a good explanation on why companies list down "this and that" (to the point of being picky) as a part of their ads. Instead of blaming them for being discriminatory, you should focus on what you do best to make yourself more marketable in the industry that views your talent as gold.

But of course, we're not forcing you to side with us on this. We're entitled for our own views on how things work. What's your say re this topic? Drop a comment and we'll gladly share what we think to you.

BTW, if you're interested, you can read more from Sandra and Teong Wan here:

How to stay productive regardless of age - Ong Teong Wan

10 Steps in Creating an Outstanding Online Resume

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

Looking for a job? JobsDB.com Singapore is the preferred jobs portal for Singapore Careers and Jobs in Singapore - From Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs to Beauty Careers and Entertainment Jobs. Jumpstart your career with us. Apply for jobs from our 20,000 job listings here: www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Search/NewAdvanceSearch.

For career tips, we recommend Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.

Career change mistake to avoid no. 4

3:00 PM

Don't let your efforts run into the sand. If you're entertaining the idea of career change, try to avoid these mistakes.

4) Thinking that high salary = good job. Money isn't the deciding factor here. "Enjoying my job is the most important thing, rather than how much it pays", Tane Lee, a Hot Yoga Structor at Absolute Yoga, says it best. It's all about your satisfaction. Career change is long term; you should judge job offerings based on what you think can make you happy. With effort, a high salary will come your way. You don't have to rush into things.

Keep yourself away from these mistakes and you’ll be well on your way to your dream career.

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

Looking for a job? JobsDB.com Singapore is the preferred jobs portal for Singapore Careers and Jobs in Singapore - From Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs to Beauty Careers and Entertainment Jobs. Jumpstart your career with us. Apply for jobs from our 20,000 job listings here: www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Search/NewAdvanceSearch.

It's a career fact. Asking yields rewards.

9:16 AM

"If you don't ask, you don't get" -- we've always wanted to feature this piece of knowledge from Mahatma Gandhi on this blog. Today's the day....apparently. We're not fans of quotes and stuff like them per se, but this wisdom of his fits with what we're set to discuss today to a T. Plus the fact that Gandhi is a big inspiration figure for us (and he perfectly deserves to be mentioned here at least once in a while). How could we not use it to start today's discussion?

What can asking questions do to your career? Whether you're already working or just about to start your career, taking in this Gandhi wisdom will give you rewards, to put it bluntly.

For Job seekers:
David P. Helfand's idea in an article of his for job seekers (we have it on Career Advice) is this: "First figure out, as best as you can, exactly what you want to do." Self questioning is how you should start your job hunting. Based on your interests and skills, which trade suits you best? The Singapore job market's a big place; suggestions are endless. Pick the wrong choice and you'll plummet. IT jobs in Singapore are what you should look for if you have the knack for technology. Similarly, if you're interested in people development, HR jobs and Admin jobs are the best options for you. Complicated? "If relevant career options are not identified, the remaining steps (researching career options, resume writing, job searching, and interviewing) become more and more difficult to complete", to quote more. Once you've identified this, everything else that follows fall into place more easily.

Aside from convenience, another benefit of "asking" is that it can better your chances of getting the job. This applies in the job interview phase and after. "Asking the right type of questions can definitely leave the interviewer with a great impression about you", Jonathan Kwan, Principal at Kwantum Leap, has shared with us when we've interviewed him for Ask an Expert. An ideal interview is when you and the interviewer/s take turns in asking and answering questions. It'll show that you're really interested in getting the job, handing you plus points in the process. But there's a big difference between blabbing and this job interview advice, mind you. "If you want to leave a lasting impression, try to ask questions that they will care about", Jonathan has continued. Of course, researching is out of question. As to how you can put to use the materials you've researched properly, Jonathan has given us three rules:

Only ask questions you genuinely want to know the answer to
Don't ask open-ended questions; try to be as specific as possible
Always start your question with a bit of a preamble

You'll start to wonder about the status of your application a few days after the interview. Suit your curiosity up -- making a follow up is in fact, a good idea. Provided that you've done it in a professional way, the employer will see your call a positive sign -- something that may put you to a higher spot in the shortlist.

For working professionals:
Working professionals who "ask" get better career prospects than those who don't. The reason for this is, quite frankly, self explanatory. "Remember that you have a responsibility to yourself to be the best that you can", Adecco Singapore has shared with us once. Seeking for a salary increase? You've seen learning opportunities that can benefit you and your colleagues? Ask your boss about it. Nothing will happen unless you put it out in the open.

Successful entrepreneur and business coach, Kenneth D. Foster is a firm believer of the "ask and you'll succeed" modus. We've interviewed him once for Ask an Expert. This is what he's told us when we've asked him why its important to ask questions in career building. "Without introspection, life becomes dull, glum, and sometimes painful, because we stay stuck in old habits of thinking and acting."

Kenneth also believes that job dissatisfaction can be avoided through self questioning. "We can use insightful self-questioning to help move us out of times of despair toward more clarity, and a recovery of our purpose and joy." Whenever you find yourself confronted by issues, ask yourself these insightful bits from Kenneth to get relief:

What is the greatest obstacle in my way that I truly want an answer to?
If I’m not happy with the results I’m getting, what do I need to change?
What is the pay-off for staying where I am in life?
What is the pay-off for moving toward a more optimistic outlook?
What limitations do I believe about myself that I am now willing to discard?

We've started this post with a quote. Why not end it with another one? We'll leave you here with another powerful statement from Kenneth:

"If we want to have meaningful careers and to create successful businesses, we need to self-question ourselves to get to the heart of what it is we really want to do with our lives, and to find the way that we will most be of service in the world."

Want to read the articles we've used as references for this post? Simply follow these links:

Knowing yourself & knowing how to create your own good luck and keys to career planning

How to Ask Good Questions? It’s Not About You, It’s About Them

Ask An Expert - How to Ask and You Will Succeed, by Kenneth D. Foster

What Are You Worth?

Having problems with your job hunting? Let JobsDB.com Singapore help you find "the answer."

9:23 AM

We receive emails from job hunters on a daily basis. We reply back to the best of our ability, of course. We benefit on the side after all -- we are able to listen to our followers' needs and requests, giving us clues on how we can better improve our services. It's about time we make a feature about these email exchanges on this blog.

I've been eagerly job hunting for months, but to little avail. What's wrong?
Familiar? It's because we've published a feature about this a couple of weeks ago on this blog. For the sake of those who've missed it, reflecting on these questions may help you recognise the reason for your job search misfortune:

Does your resume highlight your skills properly? Are you sure?
Does your resume scream of over-creativity?
What email address did you use for your applications?
Did you include cover letters in your applications? Did you "tailor" these cover letters?
Did you also apply to jobs for which you don't qualify?
Are you afraid to follow up?
Have you been applying ALONE?
Are you an avid user of social media sites?

So, what do you think? Having a different sounding email address may seem unassociated with job hunting if you look at it in a general sense, but it can affect you hard. If you were an employer, would you consider employing a person with "spunkykiller" or "ladychaser" as an email address?

The same goes with succumbing to laziness when it comes to resume writing. Sandra Sandu-Reeves once shared with JobsDB.com Singapore, "Your resume is your best marketing tool in your search for a desired job." Your goal is to make yours the most noticeable in the flock; sending out a generic resume will not do you any favor in this department. But there's a big difference between making your resume stand out and over doing it, mind you. Make yourself noticeable by highlighting the right skills and experiences for the job, not by printing your written career abode in a colored paper or whatever.

Does Singapore accept foreign applicants? Then why am I not getting response?
We reply back to this question with another question, not because we're fans of sarcasm but because we need to. We NEED to know. Did you apply from overseas? That is, did you send your applications through our website from outside Singapore's borders? There we said it. This is the cause of the problem of most of those asking advice from us regarding their job hunting on facebook and linkedin.

Yes, Singapore welcomes foreign talents -- the way it processes such requests may just be a little bit different from how your country does so. If your concern is related to this, our friends from expatsingapore.com and mom.gov.sg have ample response to your queries.

EPEC will allow you to stay in Singapore for up to one year to secure a job. Once granted (see requirements for EPEC and other information @ mom.gov.sg), you're required to apply for a one-year Visit Pass from the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA). Note however, that EPEC is not a work pass. Your new employer will be the one to get you the Employment Pass; you'll be allowed to work only after you get this pass. expatsingapore.com has provided a very comprehensive explanation on this.

Take note also that the process takes time. Patience is an important factor here. What do we suggest you to do while waiting? While you're waiting for the results of your applications, we advice you keep in touch with News Watch and this blog. It always pays to read the news -- you'd have the benefit of knowing the best route to take once you're papers have been finalised. No time to waste.

I'm a fresh graduate. How can I better my chances of landing a job?
Needless to say, the biggest disadvantage of fresh graduates is that they don't have experience yet -- something that most employers consider a vital factor in recruitment. Fresh graduate jobs do exist; however, the Singapore job market has become so competitive that even experienced workers are applying for starter posts now, pushing newly grads to the edge. We understand all the intricacies of this problem. What do we reply back when we receive this query? Two things: improve your skills through career seminars and consider jobs in SMEs. We've published something about these suggestions here, already. Do you remember coming across them?

Having the right skills for the job is a good alternative to work experience. What does it take to achieve success in the job post you're eying? Think along these ideas: An HR job is to people skills while an IT job is to computer skills. You'll need to develop your people skills to get noticed in the HR field. The trade's all about dealing and handling people after all. Similarly, to prosper in IT jobs, you'd have to be as efficient as you could be in using computers and other similar devices.

Nothing beats frequenting career events like skills seminars and career workshops when it comes to skills development. JobsDB.com Singapore has two sister websites that can help you with this. Please visit www.learningdb.com.sg and www.jobsdb.com.sg/StaticContent/SG/CareerEvents/default.htm to get the latest.

Now, why are we encouraging fresh grads to consider the SME path? Three big reasons: access to upper management, no corporate politics, and more leverage with regards to compensation.

We suggest you visit JobsDB Campus too. It's designed to assist fresh graduates with their endeavors. From tips on resume writing to inspirational stories from students, it's the ultimate space for new graduates on the web.

How can I make my resume more noticeable?
Don't take this in the literal sense, of course. We've said it already -- base your resume on what the job needs. Approach your resume writing from the employer's perspective, so to speak. Say no to template applications.

Sending out a cover letter to accompany your resume is also advised. Including a career portfolio can do you good too. Employers will appreciate the effort. We've discussed career portfolios yesterday -- we suggest you review it to get tips on how you can build yours properly. But in a nutshell, a good portfolio includes the following items: descriptions of your past projects, certificates you've received through skills training, sample reports, performance evaluations, "well done" emails, school transcript.

I want to know the status of my application. Is it okay to follow up?
Yes. In fact, it's a mistake to not follow. Pick up the phone now.

We're thinking of making FAQs likes this a regular on this blog, just like headlines that matter. But nothing's final yet. If you like this, stay tuned for similar updates for now. We promise to deliver. You can also find answers on Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.

JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore

Looking for a job? JobsDB.com Singapore is the preferred jobs portal for Singapore Careers and Jobs in Singapore - From Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs to Beauty Careers and Entertainment Jobs. Jumpstart your career with us. Apply for jobs from our 20,000 job listings here: www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Search/NewAdvanceSearch.

Career portfolio. Tips for creative professionals and those in other industries.

9:26 AM

JobsDB.com Singapore talks about career portfolios -- creative ones and also the generic type.

Jobs for illustrators, web designers, interior designers, fashion designers, graphic artists, editors, and copy writers. What do they have in common? Three words: ART. And what does it take to job hunt in the arts trade?

There's the need to go about the basics, of course -- you need to write a resume and then sign up to jobs portals like JobsDB.com Singapore to get things to start rolling. But there's one more -- you also need to prepare a certain something to serve as the cherry of your applications. Unlike accounting jobs or engineering jobs, arts careers are all about creativity; you have to prepare a portfolio to show that you posses the talent. That's the way things go in fields of design, advertising, and media. Importance is also given to employee skills in these trades, but in a nutshell, you'll be judged by your abilities in creating and making. It's the ticket to success in the arts trade, so to speak. "To be successful, they [artists] should be proactive and send their portfolios to different publishers, especially overseas ones", is what Patrick Yee, a successful illustrator who teaches art at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), has told us when we've asked him to give advice to aspiring arts professionals through JobsDB Campus.

A good portfolio doesn't mean being the most popular designer in the design agency -- everyone in the arts trade can have an outstanding one. The key here is picking the best ones to include in the folder. Your first successful campaign deserves a space in your portfolio. The one that has earned you the most praises from your colleagues too. That's the idea.

But of course, there's a limit to this. You don't want to make your portfolio bulky and heavy in the eyes. It may discourage clients to explore yours in depth and they as a result, won't know your full capacity as an artist. What parameters should you use in compiling your works? "You don't want your portfolio to look like a trash folder of your past achievements", we remember saying in an older post of ours about portfolios. We suggest you make yours go with the flow. Read the news to find out what the clients want. "You have to follow the style that clients want to see and also be in touch with the trends", as Darell has put it.

"[An] endless pursuit of fresh ideas and propositions", is how Dzulkifli Ahmad, a graphic designer at W3-O has described his job to us when we've interviewed him for Industry Focus. Keeping a portfolio is a continuous activity; updates must be done regularly to keep yours outstanding and competitive. You MUST not stop making updates, even if you've already found a stable post. One update is never enough as design is a skill which can be developed and nurtured. "The more you expose yourself to creative thinking, the better you'll get over time", Joyce Wan, senior art director at W3-O carries the same idea as her colleague. Darell is also with this idea. "I would encourage young artists to work hard and always look at different works in bookshops."

Seeing as how competitive the Singapore job market has become over the years, having a career portfolio can benefit other working professionals too. What to include? Brief descriptions of your past successful projects as well as relevant certificates you've received through skills training. You can also add copies of your membership cards and licenses there -- things that may not have earned a place in your resume, but can better your chances of landing a job. Here are other things worth including in your portfolio: sample reports, performance evaluations, "well done" emails, school transcript.

Yes, you can add more. Just remember to "confine your information to that which is work-related, demonstrates your career success and addresses your employer’s needs", as Adecco Singapore has put it in their Resume Errors Can Damage Your Employment Prospects article on Career Advice.

Whether you're in the HR jobs field or perhaps, in telecommunications, if you've never considered keeping a portfolio, now is the time to build one. It's always good to be ahead of the game. You never know.

Follow these links to read more from Darrell, Dzulkifli, Joyce and Adecco Singapore:

Resume Errors Can Damage Your Employment Prospects

W3-0

COLOURING YOUR WORLD

Avoid work faux pas. Follow these career tips from experts. Because everybody likes quotes.

9:49 AM

We used yesterday's slot to give advice for fresh graduates -- the importance of skills training for their future job hunting pursuits. And because we're all about fairness when it comes to giving career tips on this blog, we're taking today to discuss issues that working professionals should take note to avoid problems. Looking for tips to improve your career? Today's for you.

One cannot just commit faux pas in resume writing or job interview. Career building is such a tricky activity that it carries with it more risks than you can imagine. With so many tips online, it's easy to mistake expert advice to "just opinions", which can be quite dangerous, needless to day. There's little room for mistake in building a career -- take note of these and be error-proof.

Working and blogging.
Do you have a personal blog? Yes, we're asking if you keep an online space just like this one. What do you put in there anyway? HR offices don't just use the internet to do background checks on applicants. The internet can be used to "spy" about you too, in cases such as you just had a fight with a member of an upper management or you got yourself to commit a company offense. Susannah Gardner, creative director of Hop Studios Internet Consultants, has shared with JobsDB.com Singapore some things you can do to keep yourself safe.

Disclaimer

"...put a disclaimer on your blog somewhere that makes it clear that you are blogging as a private person, and that your opinions are not those of your employer."

Posting ethic

"...don't talk about your co-workers, and be sure that if you do talk about work you are aware of what you can and can't say or reveal about what you do or what your company does."

Play it safe

"...if you think your boss would be objective about it, why not run the idea of the blog past him or her, or even show your boss a few of your posts so that you know whether you're getting into a sensitive area or not?"

You can learn more from Susanah on Ask an Expert @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/askexpert1.htm?ID=11.

Self questions for success.
There's room for sentimentality in career building, contrary to common notion. Sometimes, you have to reflect in order to find the solutions to your problems. This is what Kenneth D. Foster, successful entrepreneur and Business Coach, has shared with us when we've interviewed him for Ask an Expert. "We can use insightful self-questioning to help move us out of times of despair toward more clarity, and a recovery of our purpose and joy."

What are the right questions to ponder on? There are no right or wrong questions here. It depends on your situation, really. You lack goals? We suggest you ponder on what you really want to do in life. Just like that. Here are some more sample questions from Kenneth:

Dissatisfaction

"If I’m not happy with the results I’m getting, what do I need to change?"

Progress

"What limitations do I believe about myself that I am now willing to discard?"

Optimism

"What is the pay-off for moving toward a more optimistic outlook?"

Read more about Kenneth @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Ask%20An%20Expert?ID=247.

Staying productive regardless of age.
Effective aging is an idea that a lot of older professionals don't believe in. Ong Teong Wan, Consulting Partner for Corporate Training at SIM and Honorary Advisor to STADA on Professional Development aims to erase this mindset. "We can do less work instead of no work, balance it with relaxation, leisure pursuits, helping others in dire need of assistance or contribute to the community to make it better" is what he's said when we've interviewed him for Ask an Expert.

But of course, there's the question of “Who wants to employ you at this age?” Teong Wan has a great answer to this. "The internet provides limitless opportunities for creative alternative avenues of low risk work from home or in premises outside."

Read our complete interview with Teong Wan @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Ask%20An%20Expert?ID=274.

Contracting and progress.
Another favorite topic of ours, mainly because it gets people to share their views with us. Is contracting really a good career option? JobsDB.com Singapore believes that yes, contract jobs are worth taking a shot. Our reason has always been because such jobs are particularly useful in establishing credentials. We're happy because Niharika Chaturvedi, a Senior Consultant (IT Banking Contract division) at Robert Walters, has pointed this out too as a benefit of contracting when we've interviewed her for Career Advice. "You gain exposure to new technologies and projects across the industry in a much shorter time span", is what she's said. And she's pointed out more:

Cash

"...it helps to increase your cash-in-hand by clubbing in the bonus as a guaranteed income."

Open schedule

"...from a lifestyle perspective, it provides you with more freedom to plan longer holidays in-between contracts or to invest your time in trainings and courses to upgrade yourself and gain more skills."

Lower risk of job loss

"...here is a lower risk of losing your job since the cost of hiring a contractor is relatively lower in comparison with a permanent headcount and organisations are thus less likely to hire and fire."

You can read our complete interview with Niharika @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Career%20Guide?ID=414.

Motivation for students.
Don't blame us. We really can't help it. We have to allot a space for fresh grads here too.

Hearing inspirational stories from fellow students is good. Try talking to your seniors about career things and you'll see what we mean. JobsDB Campus, a one-stop space for fresh graduates and students on the net knows this. Have you read our Campus articles about Joanne, Yoriko, and Andrew already? We've featured them on this blog too, remember? If you're aiming to have a law career in the future, Yoriko's advice can be useful to you. If doctor jobs are what you're looking to apply to when you graduate, Andrew's the one to help you. But of course, their tips are applicable to other job industries as well.

Joanne Chua, final year student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, talks about student work experience

"...make full use of your liberty as a student to gain as much exposure by trying out different part-time jobs during the holidays!"

Yoriko Lim, law student at the University of Leeds in England talks about studying overseas

"...the best thing about studying overseas is being able to meet people from all walks of life. It is a point when people of all nationalities and backgrounds come together with a common motivation."

Andrew Green is a second year medical student at Duke-NUS. His advice also applies to other courses

"...be truthful to yourself and explore your motivation for studying medicine."

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