gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2021

Page 26

STEM | HOW TO GET HIRED

TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED IN STEM TO SEAL THE DEAL Soft skills are just as important as technical skills when it comes to getting a job.

W

hile different employers prioritise different competencies depending on their organisation’s vision, values and culture, there are several common soft skills, or transferable skills, that they look for in graduate candidates. Here are eight typical soft skills that are highly valued by employers, and how recruiters assess applicants to find out if they possess these skills.

1

Communication skills

What is it? Communication skills include written and verbal abilities, as well as interpersonal skills. In your working life, you will have to deal with different people of varying levels. Sometimes, you will even have to deal with people of diverse nationalities based in other countries, across various time zones. As such, it is important for you to adapt your style of communication when necessary.

How you will be assessed In group tasks, you may find that other candidates have been given dissimilar information, and that you need to negotiate and decide among yourselves which aspects are most important. Recruiters are impressed by hopefuls who not only appreciate and respect each other while still getting the task done, but also make sure everyone gets their say. Candidates will also be assessed on how they handle disagreements.

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STEM Career Guide 2021

2

Leadership potential

What is it? Assessors for many graduate schemes will be interested in whether you have an aptitude for leadership. It is important to be able to identify vital facts and communicate these clearly, concisely and enthusiastically to a team. Being organised and aware of time constraints while remaining courteous and respectful in stressful situations are also important leadership qualities.

How you will be assessed Group exercises may be a key tool for assessing your leadership potential, but this does not mean that you should try to take charge of your group from start to finish. A pushy candidate forcefully taking the lead will be viewed negatively. However, it is important to speak out when you have something productive to say, or challenge a view that you think is incorrect.

3

Able to work in a team

What is it? Working in a team makes up a huge part of working life, so recruiters look for applicants who realise that they can achieve more as part of a team, rather than as individuals, and focus on working towards common goals.

How you will be assessed Employers value graduates who actively participate, are open, honest and respectful, and are willing to support others. For instance, favourable behaviours, such as listening to what others have to say, building other candidates’ confidence, and encouraging quieter teammates will be noted.

4

Problem-solving skills

What is it? At its core, it is finding innovative solutions to challenges the company is facing.

How you will be assessed At assessment centres, you may be given a task involving a lot of information, so it is wise to note down what you think are the most important points in a fashion that works for you, perhaps in a chart or flow diagram. Remember, your notes may be collected and analysed afterwards by the assessors. This can count in your favour if you were on the right track, but unable to get your points across to other team members. In an interview, you may also be asked to think of an example of a problem you solved, describe how you tackled it, what the outcome was and what you took from the experience.


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Articles inside

Materials and Metals

2min
page 87

Food Manufacturing

2min
page 86

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG

2min
page 85

Electronic Engineering

2min
page 80

Engineering Design and Construction

2min
page 84

Energy (Oil and Gas

2min
page 81

Energy (Power Generation

2min
page 82

Defence Technology

2min
page 79

Engineering Consultancy

2min
page 83

Control Engineering

2min
page 78

Chemical Engineering

1min
page 76

Aerospace Engineering

1min
page 74

Construction Engineering

2min
page 77

Automotive Engineering

2min
page 75

Top Three Trends in Engineering for Graduates to Know

6min
pages 70-71

Find Great Graduate Jobs in Small Engineering Firms

4min
pages 72-73

Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide

4min
pages 68-69

Web Development and e-Commerce

3min
pages 65-67

Professional IT Services

2min
page 63

Technology Consulting

2min
page 64

IT in Retail

2min
page 59

IT Services

2min
page 62

IT in Telecommunications

2min
page 60

IT Outsourcing

2min
page 61

IT in Manufacturing

2min
page 58

IT in Investment Banking

2min
page 57

Hardware Development

2min
page 56

Games Development

2min
page 55

Financial Software Development

2min
page 54

Financial Technology (Fintech

2min
page 53

Finding Graduate IT and Technology Jobs in SMEs

3min
pages 50-51

Cyber Security

2min
page 52

Top Three Trends That IT and Technology Graduates Should Know

5min
pages 46-47

The Benefits of Working in IT and Technology

3min
pages 48-49

Science Writing

3min
pages 44-45

Research Chemistry

2min
page 43

Meteorology

2min
page 42

The Benefits of Working in the Science Sector

2min
pages 38-39

Environmental Science

2min
page 40

Food Technology and Safety

2min
page 41

Considering a Postgraduate Degree in STEM

4min
pages 32-35

Future-Proofing Your Science Career

4min
pages 36-37

What Else Can I Do with a STEM-Related Degree?

5min
pages 30-31

Five Soft Skills for STEM

4min
pages 28-29

Assessment Centres for Graduate STEM Jobs

2min
pages 24-25

Cover Letter Tips for the Graduate STEM Specialist

4min
pages 20-21

Technical Skills Needed in STEM to Seal the Deal

5min
pages 26-27

Technical Interviews for Graduate STEM Positions

3min
pages 22-23

Choosing the Right STEM Career and Graduate Employer

5min
pages 16-17

Perfect Your STEM Resume

5min
pages 18-19

Industries in the STEM Sector

4min
pages 8-9

Is a Career in STEM for Me?

2min
pages 10-13
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