1095 SIM G% CAR4R GUID% 2019
STUDENT LIFE JOURNEY MCI (P) 001/12/2018
CONTENTS
INSIDE THIS GUIDE Career Connect Prepares You A Message for Our Students
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What is Project 1095?
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Your 1095 Journey
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How Career Connect Can Help You
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SIM GE Career & Internship Fair
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Meet Our Career Development Team
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Talent Development Programme (TDP)
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360 Degree Development Programme
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SIM GE Edge Award
22
SIM GE Alumni
Industry Insights
30
Career Chapters
33
Choosing an Employer: MNCs vs. SMEs vs. Start-ups
35
Exploring Internships
48
Project Protégé
50
Shanghai Career Drive
52
Cross Cultural Internship Programme
54
Global Learning
57
Explore the World With AIESEC
59
The Global Experience
SIM G% CAR4R GUID% 2019
Produced by
STUDENT LIFE JOURNEY MCI (P) 001/12/2018
Discover Your Career Options 24
1095
SIM GE CAREER GUIDE 2019
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(Company number: 200301978M)
1 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh #05-04 Braddell House Singapore 319637 Tel: +(65) 6294 6505 Fax: +(65) 6294 1043 www.gtimedia.asia Editor Candice Leow Editorial Loh Supei, Candice Leow Design & production Nurul Huda Abd Razak, Charlene Wong
How to Market Yourself to Employers
Advertising Ron Ong, Terence Teo, The GTI Media sales team
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Student Care: Managing Your Wellness
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Job-Searching: The Ultimate Guide
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Top 3 Things to Look for in a First Job
70
Rules of Getting Hired
72
5 Essential Soft Skills
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Develop Your Technical Skills
76
Crafting Effective Résumés
78
What’s in a Good Cover Letter
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LinkedIn for Career Success & Digital Networking
82
How to Write a Professional Email
84
Dress to Win
© GTI Asia Pte. Ltd, Jan 2019
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Networking for Success
88
Interview Tips
90
Acing Assessment Centres
92
Accepting a Job Offer
94
Preparing for Your First Day
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How to Upgrade Yourself
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Jobs and Internships
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Marketing & distribution Shirlyn Ting, Tang Weishan, Cheryl Tan Managing Director Isaac Hee International managing director & co-founder Adrian Wood Printer Times Printer Pte. Ltd. 16 Tuas Ave. 5, Singapore 639340
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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU
A MESSAGE FOR OUR STUDENTS Dr Timothy Chan Director Student Life Division SIM Global Education
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t SIM GE (Singapore Institute of Management Global Education), we are committed to our learners’ personal development and career preparation, from the very start of their journey here with us. We set the stage for learners to embark on this journey, which can be classified into 3 stages – Discovery, Development, Deployment. Whether it is about Special Interests, Sports, Volunteering or Career related activities, university involvement can make all the difference when applying for internships or that first graduate job. Being involved in activities outside of their curriculum is a great way to develop key skills that employers are looking for and a positive mindset and constructive attitude that employers value. Having genuine experiences to draw from to articulate their competencies provides them with a competitive all-rounded edge. As our learners discover their own unique interest, we envision everyone developing a motivation to be actively involved – developing the capacity to make a difference, make improvements, and bring fresh ideas to their university involvement. Being involved in internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, competitions, and picking up additional skills will hone their time management skills and show recruiters that they can juggle competing priorities. As our learners reach the milestone of becoming graduates, it marks the beginning of another journey, as young adults prepare to be deployed into the world, flying the flag of SIM GE.
Moira Lesslar Assistant Director Career Development, Student Life Division SIM Global Education
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t is common for successful folks to be invited as panellists on a particular topic. Oftentimes, they share their personal story as part of the process. I have yet to come across a success story where everything was handed over to a person on a silver platter and the business or institution ran on autopilot. More often than not success stories are fraught with trial and error, setbacks, learning and pain, but risk taking, grit and personal belief are also key parts of the equation. Also, along the way there is usually an atom of luck and opportunity. However, the wise must be able to see in that spark the potential for it to ignite to something much bigger. I would even argue that the success mindset may be more important than the external challenges, which may be opportunities in disguise. Part of our role in Career Development is to help you discover the traits in yourself that may set you thinking. To let your experiences shape you and give you “feedforward” instead of feedback. To challenge you to put your best foot forward and achieve the best version of yourself. Two students in a recent Challenge beat 326 teams from leading Universities and educational colleges locally to emerge as champions – two years in a row, winning $7000 dollars in the process. What are the odds? Firstly, in their minds, they had to break the glass ceiling and see it as possible. Secondly, they had to put in the blood, sweat and tears and understand the nature of the competition. The best part was that at midpoint, their score was zero. They aced the third round and went on to cement their victory in the final round. Victory is sweet. They are from SIM GE. This can be your story too! We have the resources, but you need to make time for investing in yourself during your time with SIM GE. Success leaves footprints and it is best to prepare early for any successful journey.
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WHAT IS
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ife is so much more than just books, exams and qualifications. In SIM Global Education, your education encompasses a broad spectrum of knowledge, skills and activities; both inside and outside of the typical classroom. 1095 is the number of days a typical student will spend in SIM GE, which equates to 3 years. Spearheaded by the Student Life Division, Project 1095 seeks to tailor programmes and initiatives specifically to help each student maximize their 365 days yearly. Students are encouraged to participate in these activities with their peers to ensure that they achieve an all-rounded student experience and at the same time, nurture their global readiness in preparing them for a future beyond SIM GE.
Career Development Career Connect aims to help students develop a competitive edge by building industry networking and professional connections, at the same time, streamlining the career aspirations of students. This is achieved through: • Career Guidance • Internships and Job opportunities • Career Workshops • Career Events Find out more about these opportunities on UNICORN at www.simge.edu.sg/ge/Unicorn.
Global Learning The Office of Global Learning provides students with a wide array of summer abroad programs, study trips, workshops and on-campus activities as platforms for personal training in global competence. • Develop your global competence • See the world as your neighbour • Discover your global responsibility • Learn who you are outside your culture • Bring the world to SIM
Student Development SIM Student Development is all about helping students achieve a rich, colourful experience in their campus life and beyond. We believe that student life is a lifelong journey and that experience is not limited to only the classrooms. With over 70 clubs and student councils, students are encouraged to explore leadership roles to develop their talents by making full use of the opportunities.
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Student Care Student Care organises programmes to encourage healthy living, wellness, stress management and the development of other soft skills that will boost students’ well-being, as well as enhance effective living and forge a balanced student life. We want to help you attain this experience through developing your Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength.
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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU
YOUR
Discovery
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he key for growth lies in the discovery stage. Discovery encompasses a blend of selfdiscovery, as well as awareness of the market. Build on your strengths, and navigate your weaknesses. As you learn more about yourselves and the world around you, you will be better equipped to find your footing and have confidence in pursuing your aspirations.
JOURNEY
Questions to ask yourselves: • Who am I through the lens of others? • What are the career choices out there? • What are the careers suitable for me? • Where do I fit in? • How to find my “sweet spot”? • How do I get there?
Development Now that you have good knowledge about yourselves, and feeling the pulse of the industries, it is time to identify areas of development: answering to the requirement of the working world, learning a new skill, developing and demonstrating strong attributes about yourselves.
Questions to ask yourselves: • What are the skills required for my aspired career choice? • What are employers looking out for? • How do I make myself known? • How do I hone and develop these skills?
Deployment The finishing point is in sight, the end is near, and it is time for the final push. Some rough edges need to be polished. The anxiety is creeping in. Let us be with you on this finishing lap.
Questions to ask yourselves: • How do I crystallise all that I have achieved during my time here? • Where can I build a network? • Am I doing it right, or is there a ‘blind spot’ that I should be aware of? • Where can I find opportunity? • Is there a strategy in job hunting?
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HOW CAREER CONNECT CAN HELP YOU
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n today’s highly competitive working environment, developing your competitive edge is not optional – it is an essential. This is further aggravated by the coming of artificial intelligence in the near future. According to an article written by Forbes, 47% of employment opportunities will be occupied by machines within the next two decades. Fret not. At Career Connect, we strive to help futuregraduates like you remain relevant in the workforce by providing you with the necessary skills. We hope that these skills coupled with your education will open doors for future employment and help you realize your aspirations regardless of the working environment.
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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU
Unlocking Doors – Career Competitive Edge At Career Connect, we strongly believe in instilling our students with relevant skills via career and skills-based workshops to prepare them for the dynamic working world.
Monthly career preparation workshops, also known as the Hire Me Series, are conducted for students as part of the Project 1095 experience. This series consists of a myriad selection of workshops such as: • Career Axis: Personalize one’s career plans • Networking Skills: Learn to build and maintain effective networks to open doors for future career opportunities • Resume & Cover Letter Writing Skills • Basic and Advanced Interview skills • Assessment Centre • Professional Image • Communications and Presentation Skills • Profiling: Understanding of self and suitable career path To further support students in the development of their skills, Career Connect also organizes many skills-based workshops at a discounted rate such as: • VBA Microsoft Excel • Data Analytics • Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Animate • Language Skills
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Building Bridges – Networking and Professional Connections Career Connect provides students and graduates the platform to meet industry leaders and build meaningful professional relationships via career events and company visits.
Career & Internship Fair Career Connect’s highlight of the year are the various Career & Internship Fair that are held throughout the year. The annual DREAMS: Career & Internship Fair in February saw a plethora of companies such as DBS, NBCUniversal, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Press Holdings and Uniqlo, brought together to meet promising graduates for job opportunities. In the second half of the year, we have the SME & TECHnovation Career Fair which focused on SMEs, start-ups and technology related sectors, while the IGNITE Career & Internship Fair saw a range of participating employers from the public sector, as well as finance, hospitality and marketing.
Career Café Aimed to broaden the students’ knowledge of the Hospitality, Lifestyle and Retail related industries, the event allowed them to gain career insights and advice from the industry professionals whose sharing added much depth to the scope of the topics discussed. This holistic approach ensured that students gained an all-rounded and deepseated understanding of career sectors of their interest. Speakers included professionals from Artfit Club, SingEx Holdings Pte Ltd, Shangri-La Hotel and AsiaHospitalityCareers.
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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU
Young Graduate Forum For the first time ever, 8 young alumni who have entered the career of their choice, shared tips on how to gain relevant skills, such as joining student clubs, networking to form genuine relationships, and even attending Career Connect workshops. The idea for this graduate forum came from Mr Daniel Tan, an experienced lecturer who has taught in SIM for over 20 years. The 2nd edition in September 2018 attracted an even larger crowd of over 230 students, with 9 young alumni from various industries sharing on their experiences. We look forward to inviting more alumni to share their experience and advice with their juniors!
Learning Journey: Asia's Got Talent Judges Audition Lights, camera, action! A first of its kind, 20 eager students embarked on a learning journey, to Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios to have a first-hand experience on a live set. Students had an exclusive opportunity to explore the various places within the state-of-the-art studio, including the backroom where the magic happens! Also, participants had the chance to learn more about the media company and have a better understanding of the media industry through an engaging discussion with the director of Asia’s Got Talent, Jonathan Glazier.
Career Connect Boot Camp This one-day event aimed to prime freshmen for a new chapter of life as an undergraduate. They were guided to discover their career interests and preferences, learn about the types of jobs and industry sectors, and develop themselves to take on meaningful internships and their first graduate jobs. Besides having the opportunity to embark on a learning journey to Mediacorp and SGTech @ Launchpad, they also get to explore their career plan, discover their MBTI profile and be better equipped to develop themselves for the career of their choice in the near future.
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SIM GE CAREER & INTERNSHIP FAIR 2018 The employability of SIM GE graduates is a priority for SIM. That was the message clearly brought across to students during the SIM GE Career and Internship Fair 2018.
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IM GE hosted its annual Career and Internship Fair at The Atrium and the Student Hub on 21 February 2018. Over 1,400 students attended this year's event, ‘DREAMS: YOUR Time to Shine�. The Career Fair featured over 108 employers from diverse industries that offered both internships and job opportunities for our students. Some of the employers that participated in this year's fair included Amazon, OCBC, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, Singapore Police Force, Singapore Press Holdings, DBS Bank, Marina Bay Sands, Capgemini, Ninja Van and more. Besides networking with employers during the fair, students also got to take part in fringe activities such as the resume photo shoot and sign up for courses to develop their skills. Overall, the career fair was well received by both prospective companies and students, having achieved its objective of providing a comprehensive platform for employers and students to engage with one another.
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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU
“This year, the fair has many employers that offer good career opportunities. I am particularly interested in OCBC Bank and DBS Bank as I hope to leverage on my degree for a career in banking." - Serene Lim, a first-year Accounting and Finance student at SIM-UOL
"Thank you so much for arranging an amazing Career Fair. We had about 150 students visit our booth and 120 students registering their interest. We will be reaching out to some students for our Jun – Dec internship intake." - Sangeeta Sakhrani, Human Resource Manager, Fleishman-Hillard Pte Ltd
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MEET OUR CAREER DEVELOPMENT TEAM
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he mission of SIM GE Career Development is to empower students and alumni to confidently navigate their careers as citizens of a global world. We are committed to support you along the pathway of fulfilling your career aspirations, developing your career competitive edge and building strong industry networks. Reach out to us at Career Connect office located at SIM HQ, Block B Level 1 (Opposite Food Fest). You may also contact us directly through phone at 6248 0281 or email:
A message from the team
• For Employers: employerengage@sim.edu.sg • For Alumni: gealumni@sim.edu.sg
Career Guidance We provide training programmes and opportunities for students to be career ready. This include assisting students in their self-discovery as well as making the transition from academic life to their careers of choice. These are achieved through career guidance, profiling sessions, resume reviews and mock interviews. Relevant career preparation workshops are also organized to help students gain a practical understanding and equip them with relevant skills for the working world.
Employer Engagement We reach out to industry and corporate partners to create internship and employment opportunities for students while acquiring talents for companies. We offer platforms such as Career & Internship Fair, company talks and visits, career chapters for employers and students to network and seek the right talents from our student pool.
• For Internship Enquiries: intern@sim.edu.sg • For General Enquiries: careerconnect@sim.edu.sg
Alumni Engagement We broaden and deepen alumni linkages to cultivate mentorship, internship and employment opportunities through progressive establishment of local and overseas chapters. Membership is automatic and free for life, and alumni may tap into career support initiatives, networking platforms, access campus facilities or partake in reunions and gatherings.
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Moira Lesslar Assistant Director
Janice Chian Executive Career Guidance
Karen Tang Manager
Chan Min Jia Executive
Calvin Kong Senior Executive
Ratna Juita Executive
Luo Jiantong Executive
Alumni Engagement
Tan Kong Soon Ding Qian
Manager
Programme Executive
Employer Engagement
Jane Goh Executive
Albert Lim Senior Manager
Sabrina Chua Programme Executive
Clarence Ong Assistant Manager
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TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (TDP)
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he Talent Development Programme (TDP) is a structured in-house internship offered by the SIM GE Career Development Office. Launched in January 2015, TDP is currently into its 12th intake, and has seen more than 120 interns gone through the programme, with over one third of them graduating and moving on to the corporate world. In TDP, we aspire to empower our interns with skills and competencies vital for the corporate environment through the many projects and initiatives. With a structured development plan comprising of workshops, networking opportunities and on-the-job trainings, we give them a head start and prepare them for the working world as well as to expand their professional networks. TDP is also a platform for like-minded interns to have a collective experience to learn and grow together. With the TDP experience, our interns have successfully secured internship and full time jobs in many prestigious organizations such as NBCUniversal, UOB Bank, Cognizant, Singapore Airlines, PwC, US Embassy, Marina Bay Sands and many more.
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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU
Human Capital Development:
Marketing Communications:
Business Development:
The Human Capital Development Cluster focuses on the management of TDP interns in respect of their deployment, development and welfare. Key responsibilities include:
The Marketing Communications Cluster is a very diverse cluster, with a strategic objective of delivering marketing plans for the Career Connect Office. Key responsibilities include:
• Recruit & select new interns
• Carry out marketing campaigns for the office
The Business Development Cluster works closely with various stakeholders including potential work employers, career chapters and SIM GE alumni. With this engagement, the cluster serves as a bridge to value add Career Connect initiatives. Key Responsibilities:
• Organise & execute orientation programmes of new interns • Oversee & implement training programmes
• Create marketing collaterals for career initiatives
• Plan career development and progression of interns
• Manage Career Connect social media platforms
• Manage and develop Career Chapters
• Manage the overall welfare of interns
• Engage SIM GE students with the office’s initiatives
• Plan career events such as career talks and company visits
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• Engage with potential employers
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Testimonies from Graduates of TDP Lim Hui Ni Cassandra Marketing Programmes Executive, HP Inc. Singapore Previous Role in TDP: Youth Director, Intake 2 BSc Business & Management, SIM-UOL Class of 2018 My 2 years of TDP experience had no doubt been a wonderful journey, filled with lots of discovering, learning, joy and challenges which overall, helped me to grow as a better person. It was definitely a significant part of my university life which I am grateful for. Like a fast-tracked career journey, there are new things to learn about working life everyday, new people to meet, interesting projects to plan and most importantly, you get to “try, test and practice� your skills and potential before heading out to the real world. It has indeed provided me a foundation, enabling and empowering me to give my best in my other internships, gaining more in-depth learning and eventually leading me to a career that I desire. For future TDP interns, remember to grab hold of all opportunities, be interested in what you do in order to do well, have fun and enjoy!
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Ong Kang Rui James Audit Associate, PwC Singapore Previous Role in TDP: Deputy Youth Director, Intake 7 BSc Accounting & Finance, First Class Honours SIM GE Edge Award Winner SIM-UOL Class of 2018
TDP has challenged me to think out of the box, provided me with an informative perspective on what employers look out for and would value most amongst fresh graduates. The experience was enjoyable as I got to meet students from diverse backgrounds and forged strong bonds with them. It has also developed my critical thinking and analytic skills as we had to come up with different marketing campaigns to attract the students and to tailor the events to fit their needs. My communication skills has also improved as we have to present SIM to the different employers. I also learnt to work with tight deadlines and to manage differing personalities within a team. I have learnt from my TDP journey that we should do our best in everything we embark on and strive for the best results. If the situations revolve around human interactions, we need to strive for a win-win outcome for all parties. Also, always keep in mind that both the process and results matter as results are an outcome of our efforts and the process will form part of our experience. Lastly, keep on learning so that we will always improve and be better than before. We must not be afraid to reimagine the possible!
Dupinder Kaur Marketing Executive, Crowe Horwath First Trust Previous Role in TDP: Team Leader, Intake 3 BSc International Relations, SIM-UOL Class of 2018 My experience in TDP has taught me more than I could have ever imagined! Looking back, the projects that I have undertaken were diverse and ever-changing. Along with having the opportunity to lead the Marketing Communications team, I also got the chance to attend development workshops that hone my leadership skills. By equipping me with interpersonal and time management skills, TDP has better prepared me for the working world. My overall experience as an intern has prepared me for my current job as a Marketing Executive and I am glad that I took up this opportunity. My advice to the future TDP interns would be to always approach any task with an open mind!
www.simge.edu.sg
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360 DEGREE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
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esigned to provide an all-rounded experience, the 360 Degree Development Programme (360°) is open to selected final year student leaders of clubs and societies. The programme aims to enhance their development to become a sharp professional and employee of choice. Besides achieving academic excellence, selected student leaders should demonstrate qualities of an all-rounder with leadership abilities and exemplary participation. Participants undergoes a series of development workshops. Opportunities are also provided to meet employers through networking sessions and professionals through the mentorship programme. In addition, a career coach is assigned to take you through mock interviews and guide you on career preparation techniques until you have secured your first job after your final year. Participants of this programme have benefitted greatly thus far and many are highly sought after by prospective employers. Let us now hear from our 360s from the 2018 intake on their experiences.
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Gerald Lim Wen Yuan BSc in Business & Management, SIM-UOL Team Leader, Talent Development Programme Senior PAL Leader SIM GE Edge Award Winner Current role: Sales Development Representative at Grain
My role and involvement in my CCA/ club/society I was involved in UOL SRC Transformers as a Sponsorship IC in Year 1. This has honed my leadership skills, and pushed me to be more resourceful in order to improve the situation of the beneficiaries. Subsequently, I joined the Talent Development Programme as an intern with the Career Development Office. In addition, I was also a Senior PAL Leader. Through these experiences, I have learnt to stand up for my beliefs and be responsible for what was entrusted to me. Moreover, these groups are great places to meet like-minded individuals, which made university life more memorable!
How has the programme benefit and better equip me for the working world This programme has helped me to distill my 3 years of learning experiences into insights that are deemed valuable by modern employers. The speakers brought in for workshops and trainings were knowledgeable and inspiring. Mentors were also skilled in guiding me to better present myself coherently to future employers, essentially helping me clinch the EDGE Award. One highlight was that I get to meet other student leaders, and discover their personal challenges, motivations and dreams, helping me realise that I am not alone.
Tips to be an all-rounded student leader Adopt a proactive mindset in your student life! Truly believe in the activities you participate in, and do it with an open heart and inquisitive mind. The multiple networking opportunities provided, competitions I have joined, and overseas experiences have influenced me directly or otherwise, to carry myself much better as an individual. Companies love genuinely passionate individuals, so show that in your 1095-day journey in SIM!
Khin Su Su Kyaw BSc in Business & Management, SIM-UOL President, My-SIM Peer Mentor Current Role: Programme Executive, Higher Education at SIM Global Education
My role and involvement in my CCA/ club/society As the President of My-SIM, I led a team of 14 EXCO members across 5 departments: Arts & Culture, Finance, Events, Logistics and Publicity. I oversaw the planning and execution of a plethora of events of various scales. As a team, we also pioneered a service learning project in conjunction with willing hearts. I was also involved in other SDEV initiatives such as Overseas Service Learning project in Sabah, Kota Kinabalu as well as EQuip Leadership Camp as a facilitator. On top of that, I was fortunate to serve as a Peer Mentor where I had chances to hone my mentorship skills as I guided international students to assimilate easily into the campus life in SIM.
How has the programme benefit and better equip me for the working world All the trainings and workshops were carefully curated to prepare us to be career-ready. Not only were they informative and practical, we were also given chances to know our strengths and areas of improvement better. We also had plenty of opportunities to network through various external events. Being exposed to the aforementioned trainings and events equipped me for the working world!
Tips to be an all-rounded student leader Take the chance to explore various opportunities and programs available for you to have a holistic student life. Getting involved not only builds up your resume but also equip you with soft skills, broader perspectives and practical experience which cannot be learnt from books. Managing your time well is essential. Other than that, hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
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SIM GE EDGE AWARDS
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aunched in 2017, the SIM GE EDGE Award is a prestigious award developed in partnership with employers, to recognise your cumulative achievements in your learning journey. Through your journey at SIM GE, we aim to provide a conducive and supportive environment by creating many opportunities to foster: • Core attributes of resourcefulness, resilience and responsibility; • Deep professional competencies in your chosen disciplines and equip you with the ability to continue learning throughout your lives; and • Corporate-readiness by being confident leaders in your own right, being good team-players, taking the initiative to solve problems, and being able to communicate effectively across all levels. While working towards the award, you will get the opportunity to demonstrate your learning experiences and skills to potential employers via: 1. University Involvement 2. Community Engagement 3. Work/Voluntary Experience 4. Global Awareness 5. Additional Skills While this opportunity is open only to final year undergraduate students, you should start building your portfolio from Day 1 on campus in order to consolidate your best experiences. Let us now hear from 3 of our EDGE Award recipients on their 1095 journey!
Renette Lee
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, SIM-UB
Your motivation in applying for the Award As I was nearing the end of my undergraduate life, I wanted to take stock of the enriching activities I had as a student. My various student life experiences provided me with the most exhilarating memories and skills that will last a lifetime. Applying for the award was a pit-stop that had me strongly reflecting on the past 1095 days. I also applied as a testament to my holistic experiences in my undergraduate life, and to show gratitude to those who built me up in some way or another.
One quality that you feel made you stand out from the rest of the applicants
An active ambassador of Student Life activities, besides being the President of SIM Sociology club, Renette was also a member of the UB Student Council and the Cluster Leader in the Talent How do you think this award is able to give you the competitive edge Development Programme. She also joined I think this award demonstrates important skills and attributes I have developed during my time the Summer Abroad Programme by the as a student. A degree is the baseline for many entry-level jobs these days, so what would make Global Learning Office, and is also you stand out from others? This award brands me as an undergraduate with a commitment to the recipient of the UB-SIM take charge of my personal development, and as someone with key career-building attributes, such Scholarship. as resilience, resourcefulness and confidence, which I believe prospective employers are looking for. I believe it would be my willingness for constant learning. I approach my daily interactions/activities with a curiosity for meaningful learning opportunities. I believe that all experiences, regardless of outcome, are valuable as it will teach me something about myself, other people, or our larger social environment.
My Advice Take some free time to consolidate and note down cumulative achievements throughout your time in school. If you feel you are lacking in a certain aspect, it is never too late to start! For reference letters, get them from lecturers/staff who have seen you grow over time, for it to be a strong character referral. When creating a personal portfolio and during the interview, try to be as original as possible; interviewers want to see your ‘natural essence’ being brought out.
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Shafikah Bajrai
BSc Business & Management, SIM-UOL
Your motivation in applying for the Award I applied for the award because I believe that it will be an excellent differentiating factor between myself and the sea of graduates. As the employment market becomes even more competitive, it has become increasingly important to be unique. Moreover, it serves as an official recognition that vouches my embodiment of the distinctive Graduate Attributes.
One quality that you feel made you stand out from the rest of the applicants
Shafikah was active in many Student Life initiatives. Besides being a PAL Leader for Principles of Accounting, she was also a Peer Mentor, the Business Development Director of SIM Accounting Association, as well as the Cluster Leader in the Talent Development Programme. How do you think this award is able to give you the competitive edge Outside of campus, she is an avid volunteer The award gives credibility to my experiences and professional competencies. It is thus with the Malay Youth Literary Association. a good indicator of excellence that will distinguish myself from other graduates. She is currently a Tax Associate at My Advice PwC Singapore. It is going to be a tough yet memorable journey of self-development. The award will be a good starting point for those who are looking for ways to make their student life more fulfilling. Understand the requirements of the award and think of ways you can meet them. My hunger for new learning experiences. Since I started my journey in SIM GE, I have been constantly on the lookout for opportunities that would enrich my student life. This has led me to participate in numerous activities - joining a CCA, becoming a Peer Mentor and a PAL Leader - which in turn helped me foster the Graduate Attributes.
Charlotte Chan
BSc Business & Management, SIM-UOL
Your motivation in applying for the Award I believe that portfolio building is extremely essential in one's university journey. The EDGE award is a great platform to showcase and share the work that I have done throughout the course of my university journey. It is also a reflection opportunity as my work and achievements were assessed. The award gave me an affirmation of the work I have done and a clearer picture of what I can achieve in the future.
One quality that you feel made you stand out from the rest of the applicants Drive - every day is a constant reminder to be curious and to stay hungry. One of my best ways to learn is to throw yourself in uncertainty and act on the things that you are truly passionate about. Despite being an Economics and Management major, I am deeply passionate about the vibrant technology scene. Having experience working for VCs and being part of the technology ecosystem in Singapore, Charlotte is the I wanted to patch the gap by introducing opportunities to a management-excellence university founder of SIM Innovation and groom and bridge talents to the technology industries. With that passion and mission, and Networking Society (IONS). I set out to establish the university's first society focused on technology and innovation. She was also part of the SIM GE Harvard How do you think this award is able to give you the competitive edge National Model United Nations as a delegate The EDGE Award serves as an affirmation to the achievements that I have attained during in the World Council of Women in Boston, my university journey. While an award might not be the sole factor that contributed to as well as a trainer for the batch of 2017. me getting my dream job, it signals my capabilities and my drive - the ability to achieve Lastly, Charlotte was also involved in the UOL even more. It also serves as a reminder that the university supports my journey not only Student Representative Council, where she within my time as a undergraduate but even as I start working in the society. spearheaded the SRC Foodhunt and led the freshmen orientation day and camps. She is currently a Cloud Migration Analyst at Accenture.
My Advice
Find out what you are passionate about and act on it. For students who are looking to apply for the award, start establishing your portfolio that addresses all the characteristics that the award is looking out for. Remember, the only way to do great work is to love what you do!
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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU
S
IM GE Alumni Engagement Office started in 2011. Since its inception, we seek to broaden and deepen alumni linkages with a view to cultivate mentorship, internship and employment opportunities through the progressive establishment of local and overseas chapters, from an alumni family of more than 150,000. Membership is automatic and free for life, and alumni may tap into career support initiatives, networking platforms, access campus facilities or partake in reunions and gatherings at our local events such as Homecoming, CEO Dialogue and Overseas Alumni Chapters in countries such as China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Contact us at gealumni@sim.edu.sg
CEO Dialogue 2018
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Overseas Alumni Chapters
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Discover the different industries you can join in the job market and explore the various opportunities within.
Accountancy and Financial Management
W
ith accountancy and financial management qualifications, one can find work opportunities in a range of organisations, varying from the ‘Big Four’ to smaller accountancy firms, as well as in corporations and the public sector. Being in the accountancy industry gives you a good perspective of how businesses and organisations are run, opening doors to start your own company in the future. In recent years, businesses have started to use technology such as cloud accounting softwares and applications to increase efficiency for accounting and financial management. Accounting professionals are encouraged to upskill constantly, picking up data analysis and mastering digital accounting. Accounting firms often offer a diversity of services, such as consulting, assurance, risk assessment, corporate recovery, tax, and forensic accounting, aside from the customary accounting and auditing services. Employers are constantly on the lookout for candidates with good analytical skills, attention to detail, and an ability to convey financial data clearly. Graduate accountants often join firms as trainees and will be required to take professional qualifications to enhance themselves. It is mandatory to go through the Singapore Qualification Programme (Singapore QP) in order to practise as a chartered accountant here.
Job areas include: • Assurance management • Auditing • Financial consulting • Risk assessment • Tax consulting
Job hunting tips:
Skills required: • Numerical skills • Commercial awareness • Strategic planning skills • Analytical skills • Decision-making skills • Good communication skills
Get licensed, stay on top of your game in terms of accounting skills and network extensively in this professional circle.
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Banking and Finance Specialising in different areas of banking and finance (e.g. asset management, hedge funds, private banking and equity, risk management, venture capital, corporate restructuring), employers such as retail banks and investment firms, offer a diverse range of roles for graduate hires. The competition is tough for the banking and finance sector in Singapore, as a regional and global hub for investment and finance. Improve your opportunities of securing a job in this sector by seeking out internships during your university days to gain relevant work experience and build your knowledge and networks. Employers appreciate candidates who excel in problem-solving and have excellent organisational and team management skills. You should also make it a point to read financial business news regularly to update yourself on any changes in the industry. While numerical and business degrees are preferred by employers, it is not a necessary requirement.
Job areas include: • Business/Commercial banking • Consumer/Personal banking • Corporate finance • Foreign exchange trading • Investment banking • Marketing and communication • Operations and technology • Private banking • Private equity • Risk management • Treasury • Wealth management
Skills required:
Job hunting tips:
• Numerical and analysis skills • Resilience, ability to work under pressure • Excellent communication skills • Strong understanding of financial markets • Decision-making skills
Score an internship and ace it! Networking is crucial in banking and investment. Research potential employers and send in your applications early.
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Consulting
Education
Graduates looking to break into this sector can choose from different areas of expertise ranging from human resource, integrated solutions, management, and strategy advisory work. They are also able to specialise in a particular sector, such as HR, IT, or finance, with finance consulting being the most popular choice among graduates. Many employers offer graduate specialist programmes, where you’ll be assigned to work in teams with a mentor. You’ll also be involved in projects and experience the day-to-day business to help you pick up skills on the job. There are numerous perks to working in this industry, such as a variety in job roles and travelling opportunities, but be prepared to work in a high pressure environment. As most roles in this field will require you to interact with clients, having good communication skills is absolutely essential. Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities, as well as the capability to work effectively in teams, are also crucial skills, especially when you feel the crunch with impending project deadlines. You may also need professional certifications and licences to practise in certain fields, so do your research and consult the relevant parties to help you plan your career pathway.
Job areas include: • Human resources • Integrated solutions • Management • Strategy advisory • Finance consulting
Job hunting tips:
Job areas include: • Early childhood education • Primary education • Secondary education • Tertiary education • Teaching English as a Foreign Language • Education psychology • Education assessment • Career counselling
Skills required: • Commercial awareness • Numerical and analytical skills • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills • Persuasion skills • Teamwork and selfmotivation
Consulting is one of the quickest developing corporate careers, requiring driven personalities and self-starters with nimble minds. Make sure you ace the case study interview.
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Despite the long hours and the need to juggle multiple responsibilities, a career in education is highly rewarding as it gives you the satisfaction of helping to prepare future generations to achieve their aspirations. Major employers include the Ministry of Education (MOE), public and private institutions, and tuition centres. Besides becoming a teacher, you may also consider roles such as a career counsellor, an educational psychologist, or corporate and administrative roles in the ministry. Upon graduating with at least a bachelor’s degree, those aspiring to teach with the MOE will need to obtain a postgraduate diploma in education at the National Institute of Education. Graduates from all disciplines are welcome to apply.
Skills required:
Job hunting tips:
• Passion and belief in education • Effective interpersonal and communication skills • Organisational and time management skills
Gain some teaching experience as a tutor, volunteer teacher or substitute teacher prior to applying if you can. Experience is not necessary but highly valued as it allows you to be exposed to different student behaviours, cultivating your own teaching style in the classroom.
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Healthcare
Hospitality and Tourism
Employment in this industry is not closed off to non-medical graduates. While most medical careers will require specialist knowledge and training, applicants from other degree backgrounds can also explore a number of career options such as healthcare operations and management, medical and pharmaceutical sales and marketing, medical product management, and healthcare informatics. Depending on your role in the industry, you may need to be prepared for long hours and heavy workloads. However, those working in administrative or research roles typically have regular hours. Whichever role that you take on in this industry, it’s vital that you have a passion for serving and helping those in need, and are dedicated to your tasks. Being meticulous and patient are important traits as well. Graduates keen on a career in this sector can consider applying to public and private healthcare providers, biomedical firms, research consortia, or local healthcare start-ups that focus on specialised products (e.g. hospital management software, medical robotics). You can also opt for a position with non-profit organisations such as Mercy Relief or the Mercy Corps.
Job areas include:
Home to two integrated resorts – Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, the hospitality and tourism industry in Singapore has experienced steady growth, even in the midst of economic downturns. Singapore, as a popular stopover location, also offers ample career opportunities for graduates, ranging from hotel management, leisure, and events management. The sector also requires manpower for support functions such as IT, marketing and HR. Working in hospitality and tourism requires much patience, energy and emotional intelligence. Shift hours and irregular hours during the seasonal peak periods are common. Most graduate employees start out from the bottom or through graduate programmes, obtaining training and professional qualifications on the job.
Job areas include: • Food and beverage industry • Hotels and resorts • Leisure and recreation management • Meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) • Spa and wellness management • Tourism and attractions
• Clinical medicine • Allied health (e.g. nutrition and therapy) • Laboratory • Healthcare regulations • Manufacturing and supply • Quality management • Research and development • Sales and marketing
Skills required: • Client-facing skills • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Organisational skills • Teamwork • Problem-solving ability
Skills required:
Job hunting tips:
• Resilience • Communication skills • Organisational skills • Teamwork • Excellent grasp of technical knowledge
Experience in the field will show you if you are suited for a role in healthcare, which is why placements and internships are important. It takes time to build up your knowledge and skills in this sector, as with obtaining the necessary qualifications.
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Job hunting tips: Demonstrate a passion for the hospitality and tourism sector, to show that you have the drive to go the extra mile.
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IT and Technology Singapore is a global IT hub with many technology firms establishing their offices here. Given the pervasiveness of technology today, the expertise of IT professionals is not needed only in the tech sector, but in the non-IT industries as well (e.g. finance, health, media, and legal services). Among some of the more popular roles that graduate candidates can consider include technology consulting, systems analysis, network engineering, software testing, and technical sales. Graduates without a IT educational background can take up technical modules in school or obtain professional technical qualifications part-time as they work. A common way into the IT sector is through graduate programmes, especially if you’re applying to major organisations, although many smaller employers prefer to hire directly. Employers greatly appreciate candidates with good problemsolving and time management abilities as these are vital to helping them meet project deadlines, as well as good interpersonal and communication skills due to the team-based nature of this sector.
Job areas include: • Application development • Cloud innovation • Data analytics • E-commerce • Information security • Infrastructure • Project management • Systems administration
• Adaptability • Commercial awareness • Technical skills • Problem-solving ability • Time management skills • Communication skills • Organisational skills • Teamwork
IT employers often stick to conventional recruitment methods such as job postings, campus events and recruitment fairs. Prepare digital copies of your necessary documents and materials for your online application.
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Upon obtaining your law degree, you’ll have to first undergo a training period – lasting between six months to a year – before you can go through the bar examinations and practise as a lawyer. In large law firms, there can be graduate trainee programmes with opportunities for you to be rotated across different departments, while smaller firms allow you to engage in a wider range of work once you hit the ground running. Law graduates can also consider roles such as an in-house legal advisor for commercial organisations, advising them on various legal strategies. Employers in the legal industry are also in need of support staff members for the finance, HR, and even IT departments. Depending on your role, your working hours can differ immensely. As a graduate lawyer, you may be faced with long and intensive hours at work, but job flexibility may increase with career progression. Legal advisors to commercial organisations, on the other hand, have a less hectic schedule. A second-upper class law degree is generally required to find work in local law firms, and employers also look out for candidates with attention to detail and excellent problem-solving abilities.
Job areas include:
Skills required:
Job hunting tips:
Legal
• Arbitration and dispute resolution • Civil litigation • Conveyancing • Corporate and commercial • Criminal • Intellectual property
Skills required:
Job hunting tips:
• Analytical skills • Communication skills • The ability to work under pressure • To be highly committed • Good networking ability
Consider taking up paralegal jobs as a student to meet contacts and form networks. You can also intern or volunteer with an NGO or political organisation to get more exposure if you are interested in these aspects of the profession.
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Manufacturing, Logistics and Supply Chain Manufacturing, logistics and supply chain is an essential part of many industries, especially in the fast-moving consumer goods and retail sectors. Manufacturing involves turning raw materials into products through value-adding, where engineering graduates would be responsible for the safe and efficient planning, management and maintenance of production methods and processes. In logistics and supply chain, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are developed for the prompt delivery of goods and services. Graduates in this industry use logistical software and tools to oversee the inventory, distribution of goods and services, and cost management. Recommendations are made to improve productivity and efficiency. The logistics and supply chain area of work typically welcomes applicants from all disciplines, and major organisations may even provide management training schemes to prepare their graduate employees for the job. These often include a series of job rotations so that they are able to better appreciate the processes that affect an organisation. However, those who are interested in manufacturing may need a relevant engineering degree and technical skills required for the role.
Job areas include: • Operations manager • Assembly engineer • Customs management • E-commerce • Freight/Global forwarding • Logistics • Supply chain management and service • Supply optimisation • Transport management • Warehousing
Job hunting tips: Graduates hired in the sector are strong in planning and people skills, and have technical expertise in project and logistics management.
Skills required: • Planning skills • Teamwork skills • Organisational skills • Leadership skills • Problem-solving ability • Attention to detail
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Media (Advertising, PR and Communications) The media industry is immensely vibrant due to its relevance to all businesses. Graduates typically find their calling across platforms of outreach, such as print, online and broadcast, where they can work in areas such as brand management, public relations, copywriting, database management and analysis, as well as market research and sales promotion. Other than traditional areas of work in this industry such as journalism, events and marketing, graduates need to be wellversed in social media management as well, adapting to ongoing communication trends. Despite the breadth of the industry, vacancies are limited, and getting into the industry entails some competition. While large organisations do run graduate schemes, most graduate applicants will likely have to apply directly for entry level jobs.
Job areas include: • Advertising • Copywriting • Digital/Web marketing • Events management • Film/Stage production • Graphic design • Journalism • Media purchasing • Public relations • Social media management
Skills required:
Job hunting tips:
• Creativity • Teamwork skills • Strong analytical skills • Tenacity and resourcefulness • Data management
A solid portfolio can greatly increase your chances of a successful application. Networking is immensely important and may help you find a way into the industry. For this reason, it’s a good idea to start taking up part-time work and internships even as a student in order to build your connections and portfolio.
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NGOs and Non-profit Organisations Graduates keen on helping the community can find their calling in non-governmental and non-profit organisations. With around 140 international not-for-profit organisations having set up base in Singapore, catering to a variety of social, humanitarian, and environmental issues, there are plenty of options for graduate employees. Depending on the area of expertise and the role that you apply for, there may be a need for specialist knowledge and skill sets, if there are any certification criteria for instance. Whatever your role is, employers in this sector look for a few definite traits: passion and commitment to the cause. While salaried positions in this sector tend to be on the lower scale compared to the corporate sector, employees working with NGOs and non-profits derive their motivation from the satisfaction that they gain from serving and helping people.
Job areas include: • Community relations • Environment • Services (children, youth, family, elderly, special needs, healthcare) • Social work • Volunteer development
Skills required:
Job hunting tips: Employers in this sector look for candidates who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the cause and contribution to the organisation.
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• Problem-solving ability • Organisation skills • Communication skills • Technical skills (depending on the role)
Public Sector The public sector is Singapore’s largest employer, consisting different ministries, statutory boards, and a variety of organisations such as the Public Service Division, the Singapore Armed Forces, and the Home Team. Engaged in public service, employees in this sector often find their roles to be a satisfying and fulfilling one. Depending on the role and ministry that you are hired into, your job scope and the skill sets required may vary. In general, though, all public sector employees must possess a passion to serve the community, good teamwork and communication skills, as well as the maturity in drawing up and executing national policies. As a public sector employee, you will benefit from frequent training for upskilling and job security, and may be offered flexible working hours should the need arise. However, do be prepared for longer working hours during peak periods, such as before project deadlines and launches of new initiatives. Many graduate employees enter the public sector through graduate programmes organised by the individual bodies, but departments and organisations also hire graduates directly. Do make it a habit to check in with the ministries that you’re interested in for new positions available.
Job areas include: • Government agencies • Ministries • Statutory boards • Uniformed groups
Job hunting tips:
Skills required: • Communication skills • Organisational skills • Teamwork • Good interpersonal skills
Do your research thoroughly as this sector offers a wide range of positions. Find and identify the fields of work which interest you. Be prepared for a series of interviews and assessments, which may include a psychometric test.
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CAREER CHAPTERS Keen to widen your professional networks? Join us over at our Career Chapters where like-minded individuals are given the opportunity to explore various industries!
C
areer Chapters is a platform covering 6 sectors with 12 career chapters to streamline and develop specialised career interests of like-minded students. Our student-centric entities organise a myriad of services which includes industrial visits, employer engagement and networking events, allowing students to gain practical understanding of the working world. Also, likeminded individuals can immerse in the best practices and mentorship opportunities from senior industry practitioners. Essentially, through these opportunities, students get to gain a competitive edge by developing essential skills for the workplace, such as effective communication and negotiation skills.
Contact us at careerchapter@sim.edu.sg. Visit to SGAG
Service Sector • Hospitality, Lifestyle & Retail
Financial Sector
• Supply Chain
• Banking and Finance
• Healthcare
• Financial Planning
• Education
Media Sector • Media, New Media and Publishing
Public Sector
Profession-Based Sector • Human Resource • Consulting • Business Development and Marketing
Christmas Rediscovering by Shangri-La Hotel
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Sharing Session by HAYS
Industrial Visit to Kerry Logistics
Citibank Career Sharing
Roadshow
Career Dialogue for NPO Sector
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Lam Kar Yee
Anggara Elizabeth Manurung (4th from Right with her Exco)
BSc Business & Management, SIM-UOL
BA Economics and Business Administration, SIM-UB
President, Hospitality, Lifestyle and Retail
President, HR & Organisational Consulting
Career Chapter
Career Chapter
My Role
My Role
Our role as a Chapter is to reach out to employers, helping to create job and internship opportunities and networking sessions for SIM GE students, by SIM GE students. We also organise events with the goal of allowing students to gain more insights and exposure towards the Hospitality industry and possibly, explore this sector in the future. Some events we have organised include the Shangri-La Hotel Christmas Charity Event, MBS Learning Tour and SGAG Career Talk.
As the President and Co-Founder of the HR and Organisational Consulting Career Chapter, I oversee the whole chapter and external affairs along with my team of 8 exco members . As a relatively new chapter, we brainstormed and contacted companies or professionals to engage them for our chapter’s events. Our vision is to be the go-to bridge for the students, the industry and SIM. We managed to work with big brands such as Accenture, Hays, SHRI and Aon.
What motivates you to join as a Career Chapter Exco?
What motivates you to join as a Career Chapter Exco?
After coming to SIM, I realised that having good grades wasn’t enough. I needed to be more competent and acquire skill sets that would give me an added advantage in the future. Career Chapter is an excellent platform for students as being in the committee, I had the opportunity to plan and execute ideas of our own, which encourages me to think outside the box and take ownership of our events. It also allows us to gain exposure and skill sets which are very relevant to what we need when venturing into the society.
How will this experience make you more employable? The learning opportunities give me a better understanding of the working field & the qualities that employers are looking for. I attended numerous leadership training programmes and external meetings with employers, interacted with industry experts and not to mention, collaborating with employers to create a successful event. These enhance my skills and help me become more valuable to the society. Most importantly, this provides me with a more informed understanding of the real world, and gives me more confidence when embarking on a new career in the future
My Advice University isn’t just about going to classes, it is also a time for students to enhance their skills and be more competent in every way possible. Career Chapter provides a good learning prospect and valuable experiences which we are able to takeaway, be it as an EXCO or a member. These experiences provided by Career Chapter are unique and hard to come by! Get yourself busy, utilise the time left in SIM and make the best out of it!
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I simply wanted to build a platform for students who are interested in Consulting. I needed help to navigate myself in the industry but did not find much on campus. My friends and I believed Consulting is a big industry our SIM peers need more exposure to. With our desire in line with Career Chapter’s vision, we got support from Career Connect to set up the Chapter.
How will this experience make you more employable? Interviewers are intrigued when my CV stated that I founded and managed a Chapter. I think the selling points are the skills displayed by the experience, such as leadership qualities shown by capabilities to initiate, organize and execute various events that involve reputable companies. Another star would be teamwork, along with the soft skills that come with it. Title of an Exco alone wouldn’t make you employable. What makes being a Chapter’s Exco valuable to companies is the experiences gained and how the journey has shaped you as a person.
My Advice The top best thing about joining career chapter is that it is free. And it is easy. Yet, it comes with tonnes of (sometimes unexpected) benefits! Career Chapter is a great platform for you if you would like to dig deeper and connect wider with the industry and the people in it. Being a member is kind of no-brainer. Minimal commitment that comes with rich resources. Just sign up for one or two chapters of industries you like. Being an Exco is another level, you get to also help out your peers while exercising leadership, the way you’d like.
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CHOOSING AN EMPLOYER: MNCS VS. SMES VS. START-UPS As a fresh graduate, you can choose to start your career in companies of different sizes, for a range of experiences and opportunities.
Multinational corporations (MNCs) MNCs enjoy strong brand recognition and value, attracting many graduates to want to compete for coveted job opportunities in these reputable companies.
Perks of working in MNCs Prestige and reputation MNCs enjoy strong brand recognition and value, attracting many graduates to want to compete for coveted job opportunities in these reputable companies.
Global opportunities Joining a MNC gives you the opportunity to work around the region or the world. Besides work trips, you can expect to be relocated to another market. Working in a MNC also means diverse experiences across various cultures and nationalities, calling for an open mind and adaptability.
Opportunities for specialisation In a large firm, you have more chances to become specialised in your chosen field as job scopes are centered to key functions for the company’s operations. Cross-functional roles are not as common in MNCs than in SMEs. However, one upside for MNC employees is the access to more resources for training and upskilling.
Things you should take note of Bureaucracy
W
hile each company has its own unique culture, there are some general characteristics for companies of the same size and type. The exposure for graduate hires also differs accordingly, as indicated in this guide.
In big organisations, workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) can be quite rigid as it takes longer time for decisions to be made and approved. Other than limited flexibility in work processes, there may also be multiple levels of management to handle. For instance, you may have to wait for several rounds of approvals from different managers before settling a financial claim.
Competition to get the job When applying to MNCs, you are not only competing with fresh graduates but with jobseekers who have years of work experience as well. The recruitment landscape for MNCS is competitive, and you will need a strong unique selling proposition to stand out.
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Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Start-ups
SMEs are companies with a headcount of less than 200 employees or an annual sales turnover that falls below S$100 million. Despite so, SMEs are small but mighty – they employ two-thirds of the workforce in Singapore and contribute to about half of the country’s GDP.
Start-ups are newly established businesses incorporated for less than five years. They are known to offer products or services that are not provided elsewhere in the market.
Perks of working in SMEs
Perks of working in start-ups
Exposure
Innovation
In SMEs, staff members are expected to wear multiple hats, shouldering cross-departmental tasks and responsibilities. For graduate hires, SMEs can be a training ground for them to gain different skill sets, providing value for future career development with wider exposure to different functions.
Fast growth is an essential for start-ups to stay afloat with bigger players in the market. Hires in a start-up are pressured to make new breakthroughs and innovation, drawing graduates who seek a challenge.
Career progression In a small firm, the competency and achievements of staff are more readily noticed. Employees who have proved their worth are given opportunities to rise through the ranks. Similarly, graduate hires get early responsibilities even if they are just at the start of their careers. There are opportunities to learn on the job and for you to be exposed to bigger challenges.
Team spirit Graduates can expect to be a part of a close-knit group, especially with the lean teams in SMEs and the multitude of cross-departmental work. To be adept with inter-departmental tasks, employees need to work in close collaboration with each other, fostering stronger bonds.
Things you should take note of Formal training Graduate hires in SMEs need to take charge of their own learning and development, as SMEs do not always offer formal training or graduate schemes. There may be some training opportunities, although you are expected to learn on the job actively, charting your growth and helping the company to grow.
Work benefits SMEs tend to have less to offer in terms of employee benefits although the changes of fresh graduates getting competitive salaries are still possible, with proven skills and qualifications. Do your research and ask around for insiders’ insights to gauge if your salary offer from a SME is of acceptable range.
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Flexibility At start-ups, you can get flexible working hours and a casual working atmosphere. However, while you may clock in late, you are expected to give your all – be prepared for long and odd hours and being available at short notice.
Independence You may be working without much supervision in start-ups, but be entrusted with early responsibilities, steering your own progress. Training is usually conducted on a personal basis instead of through a structured programme for many participants at one go. You can expect to be guided by your manager or sometimes, even the big boss!
Things you should take note of Job security Start-ups are newly established businesses without a long and proven track record in the market. There is a risk in joining as start-up as the business may under-perform, affecting your job security.
The workload Graduates joining start-ups can expect to work long hours and take on multiple responsibilities. Capitalising on trends for growth to stay relevant are part of the game which start-ups play. You will need to put in hard work at irregular hours for this to happen, so be prepared!
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EXPLORING INTERNSHIPS Committing to an internship gives you an edge over other graduate job applicants as it offers valuable experience and opportunities for you to develop the skills and qualities in demand.
Neo Hui Ying General Assurance (Audit Intern), PwC Singapore Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), SIM-RMIT PwC Outstanding Award for Whole Leadership
My Role
Benefits of committing to an internship
As an external auditor during my internship, I gained insights and experience the work process of an audit engagement. My role mainly revolves around audit fieldwork such as vouching and client engagement to ensure that data provided by the client is reliable and justifiable, as this would ultimately affect the outcome of our audit opinion.
1. Boost Your Employability
My Takeaway
n internship exposes you to the working world, giving you a chance to see how things work. With an internship under your belt, you can then demonstrate to employers that you have some skills and knowledge beyond what you have acquired in school. In the present economic climate, employers want candidates who stand out and are able to contribute to the organisation. An internship sets you apart from other applicants who do not have one.
It was a fruitful and fulfilling journey as the learning curve was steep, and each assignment has its own set of challenges that I must overcome since we mostly work independently. I was fortunate to have a bunch of fantastic seniors who taught me about professional etiquettes, helped build my confidence and interpersonal skills during client engagement and in my work. Being in a team setting also reiterated to me that having an open communication culture is extremely vital since we leverage on another’s work.
A
My Advice Keep an open mind, be proactive and have a positive attitude!
2. Understand Yourself Better Internships are the perfect avenue for you to experience an industry of your interest, to find out if you truly see yourself in the line of work upon graduation. With internships, you get to gauge your abilities and working style, realising what aspects you need to improve on. With a preview of the industry, you can also better manage your expectations when you step into the workforce officially.
3. Connect to Your Chosen Career Employers often use internships or work placements to attract talents to join them as full-time graduate hires. During an internship, do your best to shine. An internship in your chosen industry helps you to expand your network of professional contacts, which come in handy in future. An internship gives you an insider’s insights into the industry.
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Amanda Quek Shu En Legal Intern, Apex Law LLP BSc Economics and Politics, SIM-UOL
My Role As a Legal Intern under the Private Properties Team, I drafted various documentations and liaised with different organizations such as banks, CPF, HDB and different law firms. I also handled confidential documents like payment vouchers for the lawyers.
My Takeaway It has been a joy to understand the mechanics of the legal industry better. Conveyancing work has allowed me to hone my interpersonal skills while working with different clients and institutions.
My Advice Keeping an open mind and being adaptable will be useful. It also helps to schedule breaks to consolidate your learning and ask questions if you have doubts.
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Marcus Chee Kar Lok (4th from left) Intern, Federal Aviation Administration, US Embassy BSc International Relations, SIM-UOL
My Role I developed an aviation-based dashboard that could capture ‘at-a-glance’ information regarding the aerospace capacity and infrastructure of the 40 Asia-Pacific countries. This requires extensive research and acquiring of aerospace data on the APAC countries. Besides this, I also produced ‘Smart-Travel-Sheets’ of selected APAC countries to be used by senior FAA officers. I also read and analyse APAC daily aviation news, and assisted officers in identifying key trends in the various countries.
My Takeaway One of my greatest takeaway has been the opportunity to watch diplomacy in action. Diplomacy is often hard theoretically, but implementing diplomacy is a whole different ball game. It takes dedicated effort and will on both sides of the disagreement to come to a resolution. The officers in FAA were professional and outlined that in this field of aviation, all stakeholders are simply interested in ‘safety’ and ‘performance’. In that vein, any proposition must be articulated so that the other party is clear that such a move would benefit them in terms of ‘safety’ or aviation ‘performance’ leading to cost savings.
My Advice Don’t be afraid to ask, be it for the chance to interview the various departments and find out more about their job scopes, or the chance to join your boss on that coveted conference. Also, have an open mind! You might have had a particular way of doing things but try the new method anyway, you never know if it’s more efficient.
Marcella Tang King Yan Intern, Economic/Political Section, US Embassy BSc International Relations, SIM-UOL
My Role I conducted research on a broad range of economic, political, and social issues and managed the publication of the Embassy’s daily economic news digest. On the first week of my internship, I jumped into the preparation for the Singapore Summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un and also hosted numerous U.S. Government visitors. Besides that, I worked with E/P officers to draft analytical and summary reports on the full gamut of issues. Besides attending and drafting summaries for various E/P conferences and APEC meetings, I supported the planning and logistics associated with multiple Third Country Training Programs (TCTP). I also had the opportunity to give a public presentation on ethnic tensions in Singapore for the embassy community.
My Takeaway This internship has given me insight into the functions of the State Department, both internally as well as the work it coordinates with other countries and international organizations. I was able to witness and participate in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. More importantly, my interpersonal and networking skills have improved tremendously as I was able to engage in prolonged intellectual conversations during conferences. This experience has also allowed me to grow out of my comfort zone.
My Advice Choose an internship that truly challenges you and allows you grow as a person. It should also give you an idea of various future career paths which you can partake in. More importantly, do not be afraid to embrace whatever challenges that are thrown to you. Do not be afraid to try new things. After all, life only begins at the end of your comfort zone.
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Khairul Amirin Bin Ab Rahman Intern, Public Affairs, US Embassy BSc Economics and Management, SIM-UOL
My Role The Public Affairs Section (PAS) deals with managing media-press relations as well as public diplomacy. My tasks include shadowing a Press Control Officer for high-level diplomatic engagements, monitoring Singaporeans’ sentiment towards U.S. on social media, and generating strategic content to advance America’s foreign policy objectives. This experience gave me an insight into the diversified role of a public diplomacy officer. Never a dull week at work!
My Takeaway I was apprehensive at first since I am relatively new to the field of international relations. Being an Economics undergrad polished me to approach any situation with an understanding of unintended consequences each decision can make, a trait valued in the foreign service. The biggest highlight of my internship is the Trump - Kim summit. It definitely is a privilege to be a part of history, right from the arrival of the Air Force One at Paya Lebar Airbase to the press avail at the Capella Hotel, managing transportation requirements of the White House Press Corp has been such a surreal experience.
My Advice Be open minded, seize every opportunity and absorb every ounce of experience! Step out of your comfort zone as the tasks assigned to you may go beyond your job description.
Davynn Quek Pei Qi Intern, U.S. Embassy Commercial Service, US Embassy BSc International Relations, SIM-UOL
My Role I had the opportunity to conduct business matching making services between the U.S. and Singapore companies. I also carried out market research on the ICT and AI sector, as well as prepared the trade statistics for the Singapore Country Commercial Guide 2019. Besides these, I also provided support at major trade shows such as ConnecTechAsia and Singapore International Water Week.
My Takeaway It was an intriguing experience to witness and to be part of the business diplomacy. I have learnt that even the smallest details matter. One might think of diplomacy as an enormous idea. However, it is the seemingly minute detail that could turn the entire situation around.
My Advice Never be afraid to clarify any doubts you may have. Be constantly curious and ask many questions (not blindly, of course!). Also, always be willing to go the extra mile and challenge your own comfort zone!
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Casey Tan Kai Xin Intern, General Service Office, US Embassy BSc International Relations, SIM-UOL
My Role I conduct and review data-driven analyses of metrics on the Embassy’s service standards and work with the S/GSO on proposals on service-delivery improvements. I also assist the S/GSO and A/GSO in longer-term projects that advance positive outcomes in various portfolios. Besides GSO, on occasions, I lend an extra hand to the Financial Management Office and Human Resource Office, completing various tasks unique to each office.
My Takeaway I learnt that great efficiency and successful outcomes does not merely depend on one’s abilities and skills. Having a poor relationship with your colleagues can hinder progress. As such, it is important to build a strong rapport with fellow colleagues to create space for learning and growth.
My Advice Internships are great opportunities to observe and learn from respectable and even reputable figures. There are often unexpected circumstances that arise which seem intimidating and it may be tempting to shy away from such complicated matters. However, it is during such times where resilience is most treasured because these challenges are akin to lessons unique to each individual – lessons that may help us in our future career pathways. Also, it never hurts to keep an open mind and be accepting of everything that comes your way.
Chua Jia Lun Recruitment Intern, Singapore Airlines BSc Economics and Politics, SIM-UOL
My Role Attached under the Finance and Resource Management Department in the IT Division as a Recruitment Intern, I was mainly involved in the recruitment process, assisting in the screening of CVs of applicants as well as arranging and scheduling interviews for prospective candidates. Besides that, I also helped design new materials for new hires.
My Takeaway It was an opportunity to be exposed to the various stages of the recruitment process of a company as reputable as SIA. Additionally, as we move towards an age of digitalisation and automation, you could see the steps taken by the company to move forward as well. I learnt the importance of improving oneself and it has sparked an interest to take up new courses and skills to boost my employability further.
My Advice Always ask when you are unsure, and be brave to mingle and talk to other colleagues too! Some of my colleagues were very willing to share their perspectives and opinions, which were very valuable to me especially in career choices. Also as interns, we are here to learn, so having an open mind will help you greatly as well!
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Cadence Hong Wei Lin Public Relations Intern, Ogilvy & Mather (S) Pte Ltd Bachelor of Arts in Communication, SIM-UB
My Role I handled accounts of mainly financial and corporate clients. Some of my main responsibilities include daily media monitoring for news and information, and constantly pitching stories to the media. Liaising with the media and vendors, drafting PR pitches, crafting professional bios were my other tasks as well. Moreover, I have to constantly perform market research for existing clients and new business opportunities as well as brainstorm for creative ideas for new business proposals.
My Takeaway My main takeaways are the importance of time management and resilience. Working in an agency is very fast-paced, thrilling and dynamic. No two days are the same and I was constantly given tight deadlines. It was very different from school, where I usually had more time to complete my assignments. When things get tough, I always had to prioritise and be forthcoming and ask my superiors what assignments I should focus on first. I have also learned that mistakes are unavoidable and being receptive to feedback and learning from them are important.
My Advice I was initially hesitant to delay my graduation for this internship, but I sincerely believe that the five-month internship has enriched me and provided me with an experience that I could never gain from textbooks or the classroom. Go into the internship with an open mind and try to ask your supervisors if you can take on new tasks. It is a valuable opportunity to learn new skills as an intern and boost your portfolio.
Lim Ke Ni Connie (right) Events and Business Partnership Intern, Noontalk Media BSc Business and Management, SIM-UOL
My Role Besides participating in the development, planning and execution of various projects, I also had to come up with new marketing strategies to reach out to our potential partners for collaborations. In addition, I got the opportunity to pitch to potential partners and learn what appeals to them as well as the business language used during pitching.
My Takeaway As we run many events and initiatives, I had the opportunity to work with different people on different projects and learn how to work with them to execute the projects efficiently. Also, as we have to be “on-the-ball� every time we run an event, it is very important to learn how to adapt to the situation and be flexible to come up with solutions should any issues crop up. This is because panicking and anxiety during an event execution is a no-no.
My Advice Be open to new challenges and be willing to try. It may be daunting to try new things and you may not get the results that you expected in the beginning. But I believe that if you put in enough effort, you may end up adding a new skill to your resume.
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Tay Wan Yee, Melissa Public Relations Intern, Ogilvy & Mather (S) Pte Ltd Bachelor of Arts in Communication, SIM-UB
My Role My responsibilities include planning of monthly roadshows and preparation of different thematic cruises, as well as events. I also had the opportunity to manage the loyalty programme in terms of data management and sourcing of partnerships for member benefits. As I was empowered to work independently for the different projects, I was able to have a greater insight into what exactly is marketing, and it was definitely a good stepping stone for me as I enter the corporate world as a fresh undergraduate.
My Takeaway Through my internship, I have honed not only my communication and negotiation skills through collaboration with partners, but also the ability to multi-task and work independently on important projects. I have learnt that no matter how small and mundane the task, it is important to always follow through and learn from the experience. Also, even though it was stressful when I had to complete tasks of similar deadlines, I have learned to overcome such challenge by prioritising and planning my time accordingly.
My Advice It is important to treat your internship as a learning experience, no matter what comes your way. Be open minded about the tasks given and take the initiative to provide assistance to team members. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and give your own input during discussions as this shows that you are eager to learn and contribute to the company. Most importantly, while portraying a confident image, always stay humble and respectful to your seniors.
Nur Ezzaty Natasha Binte Mat Rashid Brand & Communications Intern, Mandai Park Development BSc Business Management with Industrial Placement, SIM-UOB
My Role I was tasked to develop content such as articles for the company’s e-newsletter, as well as videos and materials for internal communications. I also filmed and photographed key project developments for archival. Through this, I had the opportunity to work on my content writing and research skills which stimulated my creative thinking. Besides that, I had the chance to support the preparations for a corporate event as part of a key milestone of the Mandai Project.
My Takeaway I was able to experience a variety of roles which I may not have been exposed to elsewhere. Even though it was just a 12-week internship, I was involved in various work, and had the opportunity to be close to nature and wildlife, something close to my heart. I learnt to manage my time wisely and efficiently to get tasks done on time, and I had the opportunity to improve on my interpersonal skills.
My Advice Make full use of any internship opportunity to identify your strengths, capabilities and interests. Be bold to try something new and be open to new ideas. Always be prepared and do not be afraid to ask when in doubt!
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Lim Qian Ru Felicia (Left) HR Intern, ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore BSc Business Management with Industrial Placement, SIM-UOB
My Role My responsibilities include planning for employees' training, assisting in monthly events for employees, producing write-ups for daily articles and solving employees' issues. I also assisted in coordinating the interview schedule for hiring managers and screening candidates' resumes to fit the job scope before sending it to my manager.
My Takeaway The biggest achievement I had was stepping out of my comfort zone. My manager pushed me to put myself out there to interact with more people – be it colleagues, external vendors or talking at career fairs. This allowed myself to grow and shake off bits of my shyness. Nonetheless, It was a fruitful internship experience because the colleagues working with me, treated me like I was one of them and they taught me valuable skills that we don’t usually learn in schools.
My Advice Be positive and stay open-minded, nobody likes working with a grumpy colleague, so smile! Even if it is only an internship, face it as if it's your full-time job and take the responsibility to produce work that are of better quality. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because you can learn from it, take the leap of faith and push yourself because you have the capability to do it. Give employers a chance to say "I want to offer you a full-time job" because you will never know what other opportunities awaits you.
Lim Yi Lin Desiree Tax Intern, Marina Bay Sands BSc Accounting and Finance, SIM-UOL
My Role I assisted in the data analysis of tax reports, preparation of tax computation and filing of GST returns. Besides that, I also reviewed tax transactions to ensure tax treatments are correctly and consistently applied.
My Takeaway Do not be afraid to ask questions, yet be creative in finding solutions to problems you may encounter at work. However, do not hesitate to check with your colleagues when you have exhausted all means of research and find out that you are unable to solve the problem at hand. Teamwork is more effective than working in isolation.
My Advice Remember why your passion lies in this industry and let it fuel the suggestions you make!
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Ong Wei Lin (centre) Events Intern, IIDEAS Pte Ltd BSc Economics and Management, SIM-UOL
My Role I assisted my supervisor in drafting proposals to pitch for event jobs and sourced for items. Cold calling was also done to follow up with previous clients and also sourcing for new leads. Occasionally, I also had to brainstorm for ideas for the events. I also assisted in running the events, which allows me to better understand the operations of an event.
My Takeaway The biggest challenge is to learn and understand how the industry works in a short period of time, especially when I am expected to remember and understand the terminologies and protocols. I also encountered rude/unfriendly people while cold calling. This improved my customer service skills, as I tried to sound professional while I get the message across and get the job done at the same time.
My Advice Be independent and do not expect to be spoon fed with all the information. Also, it is important to maintain professionalism and establish good relationships with colleagues as they would be able to help and share experiences, which will make your internship experience more fruitful.
Chia Yi Zhe Calvin Intern, Institute of Public Administration & Management, Civil Service College BSc Banking & Finance, SIM-UOL
My Role I developed online courses and learning resources on Finance and Procurement to assist the Public Finance and Law team to deliver an impactful, innovative and inspiring learning experience to officers of the Singapore Public Service. In addition, I had the opportunity to assist in the facilitation of finance leadership programmes where I met Finance Leaders and share their thoughts in shaping the Public Finance landscape.
My Takeaway It was a fruitful internship experience as I was given the opportunity to be exposed to Finance in the Public sector, something that is not taught in classes. Although the learning curve was steep, my colleagues were there to guide me through the tough time and made the internship journey a fun one!
My Advice Always be open-minded! As I was new to the public sector, many mistakes were made due to misconceptions during my internship tenure. Only by having an open mind can I learn what was essential.
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Amanda Tan Jing Yi Youth Corps Singapore (Programmes and Partnership), National Youth Council BSc Business Management with Communications, SIM-UOB
My Role I assisted in organizing programmes such as Teh Tarik Sessions and the Human Library. This includes sourcing for community partners and inviting them to share about the various social issues happening in Singapore. I was also in charge of the Singapore Service-Learning Symposium 2018. This gave me the exposure to understand how planning a large scale event is like and also the marketing aspects of event management.
My Takeaway I had a deeper insight of how working in a government sector is like and I have learnt a lot about event management, partnership and communication skills. I had the opportunity to pick up design skills while helping to create EDM posters for some of the programmes at The Red Box. At volunteering events, I had the opportunity to interact with Persons with Disabilities and children with special needs. This has helped me to become a more empathetic person as it requires a lot of patience when communicating with special needs children.
My Advice Have a positive learning attitude as there will always be something new to learn everyday! Remember to always be professional in your conduct as it will leave a good impression on your fellow colleagues and bosses!
Rachel Chua Xinjie HR Consultant, Recruit Express Pte Ltd BSc Business and Management, SIM-UOL
My Role As a HR Consultant, my role was to source for candidates, arrange and conduct interviews, collate job orders from different divisions and to match the most suitable candidates to the different positions available while taking into account of their interests and competences. The job poses many challenges such as ensuring that the candidates I have found report to work and submit their timesheet on time. On top of that, I was also handed the responsibility of making sure that they receive the right amount of salary at the end of the month.
My Takeaway Some of the greatest takeaways were the appreciation received from the candidates and knowing that they enjoyed the job. Also, I learnt about how an organisation works in the real world and what qualities companies look for in their staff. I am now able to work on improving my skills to stay relevant and competitive in this field. Most importantly, I learnt a lot about myself such as the fact that I actually do enjoy doing sales – something I never thought I could do. This valuable experience has invigorated my passion in management and recruitment.
My Advice Take the first step forward and go for what you want to achieve. Give yourself time to adapt as you never know where your passion lies in until you have tried.
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Macasieb Erika Joie Espanol Intern, Tan Chin Tuan Foundation BSc Business and Management, SIM-UOL
My Role I assisted in several of the foundation’s programmes such as Project Cheer, the annual Scholar’s Tea and the More Than Words Book Launch. Besides photography, designing collaterals, co-emceeing and summarising relevant news articles almost every morning, I also volunteered at several of the NDP Celebration sessions organised by ACE Seniors at nursing homes and hospitals.
My Takeaway To be an effective team player, I needed to be productive, efficient and responsive to changes. It was challenging to internalise and apply crucial skills like time management, proper prioritisation of work, flexibility and open communication. Under my colleagues’ guidance and support, my internship experience has allowed me to improve in these aspects while, at the same time, gain a better understanding of the social service sector and a deeper appreciation for the work that Social Service Organisations (SSOs) engage in.
My Advice It’s alright to be afraid or nervous when you venture out of your comfort zone but each time you learn from your mistakes, take on new roles and immerse yourself in a different environment, is an opportunity to not only gain confidence but also grow as a person. Besides skill sets and grades, it is also important to be adaptable, motivated and driven.
Izni Hazwani Marketing Intern, Singapore Press Holdings BSc Business and Management, SIM-UOL
My Role Being a part of the Sales Strategy and Operations Divisions at STJobs, I create digital content to raise the awareness and profile of STJobs’ products and services. Also, I am tasked to manage the company’s analytical tools. This internship experience has refined my digital analytical and marketing skills!
My Takeaway I was exposed to the whole usage of Google Analytics and devise strategies around the best performing campaigns. One of the campaigns resulted in twice the original number of clicks and connected job seekers and mid-career professionals to skills enhancement courses on STJobs.
My Advice Take every experience as a learning journey and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Every mistake made is an opportunity to grow and learn!
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Kwan Xue Ying Marketing Intern, GTI Media Bachelor of Business (Management), SIM-RMIT
My Role I assisted with outdoor and online marketing and was tasked to liaise with polytechnic and university clubs for sponsorship and partnership opportunities via club events, campus fairs and employers recruitment talks to increase the circulation of publications on campus. While my scope for online marketing revolves around building a better social media presence and increasing website traffic and database, I was also tasked to execute a campaign on Facebook.
My Takeaway The most rewarding aspect in this internship was learning new skills such as how to maximize budget for social media advertising, executing a Facebook campaign, and honing my communication and persuasion skills through talking to prospective clients and student club representatives. Having the chance to interact with people from all walks of life also allowed me to improve my interpersonal skills!
My Advice An upbeat and positive attitude in the workplace is key even though some tasks may not be the most fulfilling. Also, be resourceful in your work and don’t be afraid to speak your mind if you have creative solutions to give. Most importantly, being inquisitive and eager to learn is vital to maximizing your time in your internship!
Lim Kai Yen, Kenneth PR Intern, Hill + Knowlton Strategies BSc Business Management with Industrial Placement, SIM-UOB
My Role As a PR Intern under the Public Affairs and Technology practice, I worked on media pitches and liaised with the various media partners for media coverage. The heart of a PR agency is the reach and strong relationship we have with the media, in order to gain media coverage and to front our clients with media queries.
My Takeaway I have learnt how to be confident in raising up issues and resolving them tactfully with clients. As a PR agency is an intermediary between our client and various stakeholders, I have to learn how to manage media enquirers and feedback from the public and if required, provide the relevant responses.
My Advice Be hungry for knowledge and constantly seek guidance and answers from your superiors as they are highly experienced to give insights to their industry. Confidence is key to success and always take pride in giving inputs and receiving feedback to improve yourself.
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Converting an Internship into a Full-Time Job Find out how some SIM students converted their internships into full-time jobs. Do your best and avoid some common mistakes, so that you can benefit from the internship experience fully!
What do star interns do? 1. Engage with your colleagues and supervisors regularly
Choo Kien Bing Jeremy Corporate Secretariat Intern, Baker & Mckenzie, Wong and Leow BSc Accounting & Finance, SIM-UOL
My Role I was assigned to 8 teams on a rotational basis. I aid the paralegals, who in turn assist the Corporate Secretariat Manager who acts as the corporate secretary for the various companies. My main role is to draft and ensure the relevant documents such as board of directors’ resolutions are prepared before the Annual General Meeting. I also dealt with the preparation of documents for striking off of companies, appointment and removal of the relevant personnel that are dictated under the Companies Act and transfer of shares among others.
My Takeaway Besides the AGM, I also have to refresh my knowledge of company law and re-learn as the Act was amended after I graduated from my Diploma. This internship provided me the insights into a niche industry and how regulations affect the operations of a company. The knowledge and skills learnt here are transferable and can be applied to any private company in general.
My Advice If in doubt, ask. No one will fault you for clarifying. If you did the tasks according to your own assumption and got it wrong, not only time and effort are wasted, a negative impression of you is formed as well. Also, every company loves an intern who shows initiative. Lastly, have an open mind! The school may have imparted knowledge to us, but companies may have a different way or approach in doing things.
High-performing interns value being part of their teams and departments, participating actively in meetings to understand the departmental and company goals and figuring out how they can contribute. When meeting with other industry professionals during your internship, bear in mind to be your best self, and maintain a humble attitude and a genuine thirst for learning from them.
2. Ask your internship employer to offer reference If you know that you did your best during your internship, and hope that your immediate supervisor can provide a reference for you for future job searches, ask him or her in advance. They can provide a reference letter or agree to let a potential future employer of yours contact them when the need arises.
3. Obtain a full-time offer from your internship employer Those interns who get converted into full-time hires have allowed employers to see their fit for the vacant roles. Employers do use internships as a mark of measure to assess the suitability of candidates and test their capabilities. Always aim to prove your worth and be proactive during your internship. Ask for feedback from your coworkers and be open to receiving advice on how you can grow as a young professional and how you can contribute better to the team.
What you should avoid as an intern 1. Failing to take initiative, and only expecting to be assigned tasks A lack of initiative indicates to the employer that you are not interested. As an intern, you should make full use of your time by being proactive in seeking out tasks to complete and contribute your skills to your team and the company.
2. Failing to communicate with your supervisor Assuming how tasks should be done instead of asking for clear instructions, as well as taking leave without prior approval are some examples of communication breakdown during an internship. Make sure your communication with your coworkers and superiors are clear, be it online or offline.
3. Behaving in an unprofessional manner Acting and dressing inappropriately, missing out on deadlines, showing up late for work and being absent without valid reason, are major faux pas for an intern, which will definitely leave a bad impression with your employer.
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Tan Chen Choo Pearl (2nd from Left)
Ryzal Kamis
TMF Singapore H Pte Ltd Previous role: Intern, HR & Payroll Current role: HR Assistant
AI Singapore Previous role: Research Intern Current role: AI Project Engineer
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication, SIM-UB
BSc in Banking and Finance, SIM-UOL
My Role
My Role
As an intern, I was assisting various colleagues on projects and daily administration. As a payroll outsourcing department, we would need to set up new databases for new clients. I got firsthand experience in preparing the documents required for the database setup. Having to assist with submission of childcare leave and claims approval also gave me a better understand of Singapore employment laws and regulations.
During my internship, my task was to come up with an automated door entry system using facial recognition technology.
My current role is vastly different as I now handle payroll for one client and also provide system support to more than 20 other clients.
How has your internship experience helped you in the transition of your current role My internship experience allowed me to explore the Human Resource Management System that our department uses, as well as give me an insight on what it's like to be a payroll processor for clients.
How did you manage to secure this conversion I think it was really being in the right place at the right time, and maintaining a positive learning attitude. I took up this internship to explore an industry I had been curious about, hoping that perhaps I could be converted if I performed well. My manager saw me as proactive and willing to learn so he recommended me to take over my colleague's portfolio, who was leaving the company. Thus, my four month internship was cut short and I became a permanent staff on probation.
What impact do you think your Student Life involvement contribute in this conversion I was active in the Guitar Club. One thing I took away from my experience there was to never be afraid to try - you never know what you can discover in the process. Being in the club also reminded me of the importance of clear communication and maintaining relationships – something I find highly relevant in the workplace.
My advice Be active in asking for work, never hesitate to ask questions, and try to keep an open mind to learning new things.
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Now as an AI Engineer, I work with the Industry Innovation team, assisting with training local AI talents through our national initiatives: the 100E and the AI Apprenticeship programme. I also conduct technical engagements for external organisations.
How has your internship experience helped you in the transition of your current role As an intern, I had to be innovative in coming up with a solution, given the freedom and liberty. Now that I'm a full-time staff, there are higher expectations, but the initial exposure during my internship helped in easing me into this independent work culture.
Why or how did you manage to secure this conversion The task for my internship was a daunting one, and I had not done any AI project prior to it. However, I was bold enough to tackle the challenge and managed to come up with a minimum viable product. That boldness might have instilled confidence among my hiring managers, and I was also assessed on my technical competence prior to the internship.
What impact do you think your Student Life involvement contribute in this conversion Through my involvement in the myriad of activities at SIM, the many failures and struggles has cultivated my confidence. After each rodeo, I reflected and took on more challenges that led to some of the small victories towards the end of my years in SIM.
My advice Be proactive and innovative. I remember working on weekends for my product because I wanted to come up with an endto-end product which requires much more deliberation. It is also crucial that you learn ways to communicate efficiently to layman business users or product owners. Your perspective can very much differ from theirs and it is part of your job to ensure that they understand the constraints that you foresee.
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PROJECT PROTEGE
P
roject Protégé is a four-month structured mentorship programme for SIM GE students. Through this collaborative partnership between the Career Development Office and Alumni Engagement, students will be able to learn from our alumni and industry mentors on achieving their career aspirations, and for the mentors to impart their experiences and knowledge. Project Protégé is a platform for our alumni to make meaningful contributions to their alma mater by investing their time in shaping young minds, contributing to their juniors’ career journey. Experienced mentors from diverse industries will be involved in sharing their valuable professional expertise, career advice, as well as job search strategies. Since June 2012, there are close to 100 mentors and 300 students who have participated in this programme. In 2018, Alumni Engagement partnered with CPA Australia and Young NTUC to have their members on board this mentorship journey to guide students in their career transition along with helping them to discover their career pathways and opportunities within the company and/or the industry. The ultimate aim for Project Protégé is to enhance personal development, career readiness and employability of our students and develop the SIM GE professional network between students, alumni and the industry.
Fiona Mary McIntosh (CPA Aust.) Executive Director Standard Chartered Bank Mentor, SIM GE Project Protégé
What encouraged you to decide to be a mentor? I have had positive experiences as both a mentor and a mentee in the past. For the mentor, it is a wonderful way to gain insight into the thinking of others, usually younger, learn from them and have my own views challenged. It is also very rewarding to be able to positively influence the mentees, for example, by increasing their confidence or opening their minds to different perspectives on issues they were encountering.
2. What is one message that you could give to SIM GE students who are considering joining the Project Protégé programme? Just do it! Take advantage of this opportunity to leverage off the experience of others. You can expect to learn more about yourself and your potential; have your world views challenged / broadened and have access to someone who can guide you through your problems.
Dr Jeremy Gwee Former Chief Operating Officer HSBC Singapore Mentor, SIM GE Project Protégé
What encouraged you to decide to be a mentor? Firstly, this is an opportunity not only for me to share my experience but also to learn from my mentees. The questions that our mentees ask are insightful and give me an idea of how the young people these days think and allow me to have fresh perspectives of things. Secondly, it is very heart warming to be able to lead and guide them along. It is not just about helping them to get a job, but also to deal with the emotional rejections when they do not get an internship or job. Lastly, it is also an opportunity to develop new friendships as the mentoring lasts beyond the prescribed period. Many mentees stay in contact.
2. What is one message that you could give to SIM GE students who are considering joining the Project Protégé programme? This is a great opportunity where one can share his or her challenges in a safe space so that one does not get lost on his or her career journey. The mentor is there for his or her mentee through the ups and downs.
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Adeline Teo Pei Qi Risk Assurance Associate at PwC Singapore BSc Banking and Finance, SIM-UOL Mentee, SIM GE Project Protégé
Candice Chong Xianli Currently pursing MSc in Behavioural Economics in The University of Nottingham BSc Economics and Management,
I have a weekly mentoring session with my mentor, Dr Jeremy Gwee and it was really heart-warming to know that he was so willing to take precious time off for me to advise me on so many things that I was unsure of (e.g. which career path to take upon graduation, interviewing tips, structures in a bank, what different roles in a bank do etc). Apart from that, he also takes the time to hear about my preparation for my examinations and how I’ve been doing in school. To my juniors, it can get pretty daunting not knowing what to do upon graduation, but I want to reassure you that being clueless is part and parcel of eventually finding a right place for yourself in the future. I highly recommend Project Protégé as there are caring mentors who have a wealth of experiences. Be ready to ask your mentor lots of questions - it will really help you significantly. I am confident that Project Protégé will impact you greatly. So stay hungry, and all the best!
SIM-UOL Mentee, SIM GE Project Protégé My Project Protégé experience was wonderful as my mentor, Louis Wong, helped me to find myself. Through a series of meaningful conversations with Louis, in person as well as via email, I was guided to ask important questions regarding my career aspirations as well as life goals. My mentor asked me questions on why I wanted certain things in life, and that in turn helped me to confirm that I am pursuing the right things, like my further studies. Louis also helped me to discover a different perspective on the career paths that I initially had in mind. All in all, my Project Protégé experience was nothing short of enriching and I would definitely encourage all final year students to take part in it!
Chia Han Yang Procurement Executive at Eaglestar Shipmanagement (S) Pte Ltd BSc Business and Management, SIM-UOL Mentee, SIM GE Project Protégé My Project Protégé experience has been enriching and insightful! For students like myself who may feel lost and not know what they want to do upon graduation, Project Protégé is an opportunity to meet mentors to seek professional advice. I became clearer with my life goals and objectives with my mentor, Sarah Yeow’s, thoughtful advice. Although she is working in the financial industry while I intended to explore the supply chain industry, our meetings are valuable and meaningful to me as my mentor's years of experience translates into enlightening advice, containing answers that I need. All in all, I am glad to have participated in Project Protégé and gain a mentor who have given me so much advice and tips.
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SHANGHAI CAREER DRIVE 2018
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ollowing the successful conclusion of the inaugural Myanmar Career Drive in 2017, SIM students participated in an intense, yet fulfilling, 4-days Career Drive with 10 Shanghai-based companies across different industries. The Career Drive serves as a platform for graduating students to understand the industry development and career opportunities in China, as well as to have direct contact with their potential employers.
Our students had gained valuable knowledge through their interaction with our corporate partners who kindly put together a range of activities for our students: • Briefing on the company; • Reception at the guest hall; • Tour of the exhibition hall and offices; & • Visit to the manufacturing plant. These activities encouraged curiosity and questions among our students.
Over these 4 days, the students visited companies across various industries such as Construction, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources etc. They had the opportunity to take turns to introduce themselves to the companies for each visit.
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The Career Drive also incorporated a session with our SIM Alumni Chapter in Shanghai, who were most willing to share a few words of wisdom with our students. Many of them had done well, with some further studying, while others were working in companies in Shanghai, such as UOB Bank and PayPal.
Great relationships were formed between our students, corporate partners and alumni. Many of them are actively keeping in touch through different channels. One of our students has been called up for an interview with a participating company. Thank you, Shanghai, and see you again soon!
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CROSS CULTURAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME A Summer Exchange Programme in New York for future-minded young professionals, CCIP is characterized by a holistic experience encouraging participants to maximize professional opportunities in networking, media exposure, and leadership – an opportunity beyond simply interning.
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he Cross Cultural Internship Programme (CCIP) has been a leader in global internships connecting the United States and Asia. CCIP is geared towards motivated, future-minded students who seek unique experiences that help them advance to the forefront of the competitive global economy. Characterised by a cohesive living culture and a holistic approach to internships, CCIP offers a unique edge more than any conventional internship programme. CCIP is organised directly by a US-government designated visa sponsor in collaboration with SIM Global Education, allowing a streamlined visa application process. During the programme, students live together and receive on-the-job training at one of the 25+ host organisations. After working hours, they maximise their NYC experience with exceptional professional and leisure activities.
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Vaishnavi Salil Ghale (2nd from left) Intern, Property & Casualty Insurance Djam Insurance Brokerage BSc Business & Management, SIM-UOL
My Role During my internship, I focused mainly in the area of property & casualty Insurance, assisting in phone calls, responding to e-mail correspondence with wholesalers, financing companies and clients. I also worked with USD database as well as processed quotes for clients.
Memorable experiences and challenges Working in a totally different cultural environment is not easy. This internship experience has helped me in improving my communication, interpersonal and professional skills. Constant interaction with the supervisor and colleagues proved to be very beneficial in work. Getting a first-hand experience of how an insurance brokerage firm works has enriched my knowledge. Some challenges include adjusting to a different work culture environment, interacting with the clients and learning new concepts. Having a positive attitude and the support of my supervisors and colleagues, I was able to overcome these challenges.
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Natali Ghui Chien Lin UB Communications Intern Fusia Communications Bachelor of Arts in Communication, SIM-UB
My Role As Fusia Communications is the organiser for the CCIP program, I handled the administrative matters regarding the programme. For example, I managed the communications between the participants and my supervisor, ensuring that student participants have paid or submitted the respective documents during the program as well as helping them answer any questions that they have regarding the program.
Memorable experiences and challenges It was an eye-opening experience as it included interacting with students across countries and working alongside colleagues from very diverse cultures. I had to adapt to my surroundings constantly and be more aware of myself, my norms, and the perspectives of others. One of the challenges faced was the cultural differences between Hong Kong and Singaporean interns such as language as well as working style. However, with time, we managed to overcome the differences and interacted well with each other.
My takeaway Through this internship experience, I have gained a much greater understanding of other cultures and different modes of operations. I have also developed a greater ability to handle differences in a professional manner, which will be beneficial in my future work endeavours.
How has this global experience prepared me for the working world? My takeaway Whether it is interacting with professionals or other interns, this internship allowed me to make many amazing connections. Every day spent in New York was full of excitement and enthusiasm. All the activities involved in the programme were a lot of fun.
I learnt about myself, my work ethic, and the skills that I can harness to achieve more in my future career. Additionally, it has also given me the platform to understand other cultures better and to appreciate them more.
How has this global experience prepared me for the working world? This internship programme allowed me to gain a global experience by working in a different cultural environment and serves as a strong foundation for my future. Getting a global work exposure has opened so many doors for me in the future. I am truly delighted that I grab hold of this opportunity!
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GLOBAL
Global Learning Starts With You
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he Office of Global Learning provides you with a wide array of summer abroad programs, study trips, workshops and oncampus activities as a platform for personal training in global competence. • Develop your global competence • See the world as your neighbour • Discover your global responsibility
LEARNING
GLOBAL LEARNING AMBASSADORS (GLA)
Global Learning hosts groups from overseas universities or institutions on SIM campus, for a series of interactive exchanges and workshops, ranging from formal academic to fun cultural experiences. We extend a special invitation to the SIM GE student community to join us for our many global events, to join as program leaders, emcees, supporters, or as those who are just interested in making international friends. For upcoming events, check out SIMConnect’s general news or our event calendar. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
• Learn who you are outside your culture • Bring the world to SIM
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STUDY ABROAD (SA)
Choose from our list of universities in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Explore the diversity of courses offered and engage in discourse with an international, varied academia. Gain exposure to different education systems and teaching pedagogies across a wide variety of disciplines.
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As I reflect back on my summer learning journey at LSE, I felt completely overwhelmed by all the myriad learning opportunities. I loved every single moment of the summer aboard programme at LSE, and it has surpassed my expectations in every sense.
Choi Ming Hong Student, BSc (Economics and Finance) University of London, UK
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Siew Yee Wai (2nd from right)
Janessa Low Jinghui
Destination: USA (University of California, Berkeley)
Destination: UK (London School of Economics and Political Science, London)
Bachelor of Business (Management), SIM-UOB
BSc Accounting and Finance, SIM-UOL
My Experience During this six weeks long programme, I really had the time of my life there; meeting people from different countries and experiencing a different culture. The summer programme was definitely not a walk in the park. There were lessons to attend, assignments to do and exams to take. But with good time management; there will be ample time to travel over the weekends to explore the city.
My Takeaway I learnt to speak up more and saw the value in doing so. In class, students are often encouraged to raise questions and share their thoughts. While most of my classmates were rather well-versed in the subject and not afraid to voice out in class, it was intimidating for me. However, as I speak up more; it built my confidence. I realize that more often than not, there will be some who share similar thoughts and ideas. We would all benefit when we speak up. Through the active participation of my classmates, I got to see things from different perspectives
How has this global experience prepared me for the working world? In this experience, I was literally embracing every opportunity that was given and letting go of my fears and limitations. It felt very liberating. And I did not once regret doing so. It would be a mindset that I want to bring into my workplace. As a fresh graduate, this transition from being a student to a working adult would be a time where I get to learn a lot of new things. Rather than having reservations, I want to keep an open mind and make the best of every learning opportunity that I have.
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My Experience I took the module “Strategic Management (MG106)” for the 3 weeks I was there. The teachers and staff were very friendly and were willing to go the extra mile to help us; the classes were also very engaging and insightful! Also, it was a good and conducive environment to learn, and to make international friends! Despite the long hours spent at school, my friends and I managed to make time to explore London and the neighbouring cities over the weekends.
My Takeaway Apart from academic learning, I learnt more about different cultures as I had the opportunity to interact and mingle with other students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. It was eye-opening to realise how different, yet similar, we lived our lives. This made me more aware of global issues and piqued my interest to find out more about other countries.
How has this global experience prepared me for the working world? The course that I took made me more aware about strategic choices and the consequences of our choices. This experience also allowed me to improve on my communication skills and helped me build my confidence in interacting with others. Also, it made me realise the importance of global competencies and being adaptable in the globalized world.
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Lee Jia Ying
Lai May Yee
Destination: South Korea (Ewha Women’s University, Seoul)
Destination: South Korea (Ewha Women’s University, Seoul)
BSc Business & Management, SIM-UOL
BSc Business & Management, SIM-UOL
My Experience
My Experience
One interesting experience during the 4-weeks programme that stood out from the rest was an impromptu company visit to LINE! It was incredible, and I learnt a lot more about LINE’s company vision, and their drive to ‘Closing the Distance’ between people. Besides that, I participated in a Kimchi making session and visited the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). In a nutshell, my experience was nothing short of fun, excitement and enrichment!
Summer this year was special and I thought that the years of watching K-dramas and chasing handsome idols would prepare me well enough for this exchange, but I was wrong! There was so much more to South Korea than the brightly lit streets and mesmerizing street performances. We got to explore the less touristy sites and got a glimpse of the humble life that the older generations are leading. We also went to many interesting places such as the Demilitarised Zone and the Folk Village where the rich history of Korea was embedded.
My Takeaway My biggest takeaway from this trip is the friendships I’ve forged. I believe these friendships with students, from all over the world, has given me better understanding of the similarities and differences in our culture. The exposure to these cultures, especially the Korean one, shaped me into an individual who is now more able to adapt to a different environment.
How has this global experience prepared me for the working world? The challenges I faced have enabled me to be more independent and gain confidence, in a country whose language I barely understand. This trip has opened my eyes to the importance of being adaptable and open minded to differences, essentially allowing me to gain global competencies. The opportunity to take on a module completely different from my course of study has also prompted me to be more open to exploring options for my career aspirations.
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My Takeaway Other than soaking up picturesque places in South Korea and learning about their beautiful customs and traditions, my biggest takeaway is the people from all walks of life and around the globe that I have met on this trip. It was truly an eye-opening experience to listen to anecdotes back in their hometown and their different way of life. I was able to expand my horizons through embracing differences in culture and upbringing and was able to forge friendships which I will hold dearly.
How has this global experience prepared me for the working world? Employers nowadays are looking beyond our grades and I believe that having global exposure would help me in gaining an edge. This experience has taught me three things: adaptability, respect and stepping out of my comfort zone. Being in a foreign country with different customs can make you feel out of your place. But when in Rome, do what the Romans do, learn to appreciate the differences and you will come to enjoy the traditions. I started to be more openminded by embracing other cultures and respecting each other. I was also able to step out of my comfort zone and did things which I have never done. This experience has made me a more accepting and competent person in the working world.
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EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH AIESEC
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IESEC is the world’s largest global youth-led organization striving to achieve peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential by developing youth leaders in support of United Nation’s Global Goals. AIESEC is a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and member of the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (ICMYO). AIESEC provides a platform for youths to undergo cross-cultural exchanges in the form of volunteering projects and professional internships.
For enquiries, email us at aiesec.sim@aiesec.net or aiesec@mymail.sim.edu.sg.
International Congress
Global Volunteer (GV) This programme is an opportunity for students to make a social impact through overseas volunteering projects based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. They involve working on diverse community projects and in different organizations. Projects include teaching, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, working in human rights, environmental sustainability, leadership development and more.
Global Talent (GT) and Global Entrepreneur (GE) These programmes offer overseas professional internships in established companies and start-up firms respectively, for students aiming towards professional career development in a global setting. Working abroad also allows students to expand their network and develop themselves on a personal and professional level in a foreign environment.
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Recruitment Booth
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My most memorable experiences and challenges
Neo Jun Yong (Left) Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance), SIM-RMIT SIM GE Edge Award Winner Global Volunteer Programme
My motivation to participate in an AIESEC Programme Being a part of the AIESEC community before this programme, I got the opportunity to meet/host people from around the world. It was then when I learnt that even with vast cultural differences, we could still get along well with one another through embracing our differences and mutual care. It got me to reflect on a bigger scale that if countries were to do the same, peace and kindness could be better maintained. Since then, I stayed aligned with the AIESEC’s Leadership Development Model, to be a World Citizen by being Self-Aware of oneself; being Solution-Oriented to challenges; and having the ability to Empower Others. This motivated me to embark on this journey, crossing boundaries to share my beliefs and teach those who needed help in this programme. This will be my first step to a bigger plan of creating an impact in the world.
Taking a different path A good excuse would be taking a break to travel solo on a graduation trip before settling for a full-time job. But this should never be the sole reason. I was once lost about figuring which path I should take upon graduation. I was never sure of who I am and where my calling lies. However, I knew that I needed to be on a journey to find it. Leaving your comfort zone and starting afresh helps you to rediscover yourself. The eye-opening experience of interacting with people with diverse perspectives led me to improve on my weaknesses and leverage on my strengths. I am proud to say that I have achieved my goals and am now clearer about the direction I am going to take in my life.
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Being the only Asian living with 9 Europeans was both a memorable experience and a challenge. There were many different living habits between us that caused difficulties. At the same time, there were so many interesting topics that we would share and compare about! We learned lessons through exchanging our cultures and embracing the differences. Language was a big obstacle for us when conducting our workshops for the Croatian kids. They are adolescences who have a certain behavioural disorder and/or broken family background. Conveying our messages to make an impact in the workshop was hard, even with a translator. Together with 2 other volunteers in the project, we had to put in more effort in the activities to break the language barrier without compromising the message we were trying to deliver. The true fulfilment was felt when we managed to impact their hearts and influence them to be more independent in their lives.
My Takeaway My greatest takeaway is being able to do things that I have never dared to do. Travelling alone and living abroad was one. The second was sharing my values and bringing education to these kids. These small steps were contributing to my goal of making an impact in this world. I am glad that being in this small and quiet city allows me to slow down and think more deeply into my future plans. As a result of my project – Global Mentor, I vow to take up opportunities to mentor/educate the people in need as I advance myself in my future endeavours. The other takeaway is the friendships I forged from around the world. Who knows when you will ever need their help or vice versa?
Advice The world is constantly telling you the “right thing” you should do in your life. Many times, we conform to it because that’s what everyone is doing, even if stifles our own thinking. Are we truly living for ourselves? Or are we living based on people’s expectation? This journey of self-discovery of mine had defied many advices from my family and social circle. However, I think it is even more important to stay firm to your beliefs and be the leader of your own life. Be brave. Magic will happen only when you believe it. Don’t be afraid of the cost of opportunity, for it’s up to you to define how much it is worth. Time is never wasted as long as we learn something from these experiences. So, put down your phone, step out of the door and start creating your own adventure of a lifetime!
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THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
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re you limiting your opportunities by only looking at jobs availability in Singapore? What will motivate you to take the plunge to explore overseas opportunities? The key is “Mindset”, a simple word with profound meaning. Moving abroad has a huge impact not only on your personal life, but on your professional life too. Earning a living in another country can be the start of an international career and network to match!
Experience the global marketplace As ecommerce and international trade are becoming major cogs in the business world, an overseas experience will enable you to connect the dots, seeing the global marketplace from another perspective. This will add another “expertise” in your portfolio, especially of the country you worked in. Your professional network will no doubt be enhanced.
Cross-cultural communication Living in a different culture may sound daunting to some, but if you grab such an opportunity, you will find yourselves navigating the world of work in a different language and as part of a different culture. This would help you become a better communicator and boost your profile. It would also allow you to be more aware of the different ways an email or conversation could be interpreted.
Experience different ways of doing business Study, graduate, find a job in Singapore – sound familiar? Why not consider going overseas? Open yourselves up to more opportunities and see how a different country approaches your sector and business in general. This will be a great way to open up your mind, and learn new ways of doing things. And the cherry topping? You’ll take those learnings with you wherever you go.
See the world For the travel bugs among us, there is nothing better than working abroad. You get to experience the country at a much deeper level, and get paid to do so! Different from being a simple tourist, you actually get to experience and immerse in a country’s personality and culture; it can also be a good opportunity to dive deeper into the culture of neighbouring countries. The global perspective that you developed will be a huge asset in your career.
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Aishwarya Sachdeo (left) Business Intelligence Analyst, HotelQuickly, Bangkok BSc Economics & Mathematics, UOL
My Role As a Business Intelligence Analyst at HotelQuickly in Bangkok, Thailand, my job is to gather and analyze data to obtain interesting insights regarding hotel bookings to assess where we stand against our competitors and to improve our service quality.
What made me decide to look overseas? I was looking for start-ups to work at in Southeast Asia as I feel that there is a lot more to learn in start-ups than MNCs. I came across HotelQuickly while I was in Singapore and checked out their website for vacancies. They were hiring for a Business Intelligence Intern, something I have always been interested in. I applied directly on their website and within a month got a call from the HR. After 3 months of internship, I converted to a full-time role.
Memorable experiences and obstacles The biggest obstacle that I faced in the beginning was definitely a language barrier. When I first came to Singapore, it was less difficult to adapt and find my way as everyone could speak English. In Bangkok, not everyone speaks English, so I faced a lot of problem, especially when apartment hunting. But all thanks to Google Translate, I found
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Hashpal Singh Advisory Intern (Mergers & Acquisitions) Grant Thornton, Vietnam BSc Accounting & Finance, UOL
My Role My stint under the Advisory Services Department involved preparation of various pitch decks, conducting financial due diligence and business valuations. I was involved in various mergers & acquisitions projects in Southeast Asia.
Memorable experiences and challenges Some of the memorable experiences include facilitating the office visit by Portland State University students, partaking in the GT football trainings and the Saigon Internationals Hockey sessions. One main challenge I faced was overcoming the language barrier in Vietnam. Sometimes, I was given tasks/reports which were in Vietnamese and I used online translators to understand the reports and carry out my tasks. There was also a time when I fell sick. Despite that, I took my medications and carried on working from home as that was one of the busiest week and we had tight deadlines to meet. a pretty good place to stay at. I can speak survival Thai now, so life is a lot easier. All my colleagues are also very helpful and accommodating, which made me adapt a lot faster than I expected. A lot of them are foreigners and have been in my shoes before so we all have a fair share of “When I was new to Thailand….” stories.
Standing out I was pretty active in school, which shows that I am good with time management as I can handle studies and CCAs at the same time. Another point could be my knowledge of R programming which I self learnt online and also at SIM Data Analysis Club.
My Advice The most important thing is not giving up. There is definitely something waiting for you out there, something that you have always wanted to do, something you will enjoy doing, you just need to have the patience to find it!
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Key takeaways Being able to fully immerse myself in a foreign culture, it broadened my horizons. This experience allowed me to not only acquire valuable technical skills, but also the opportunity to forge strong friendships with international colleagues and sports teammates in the activities that I participated in, whilst there. I also learned more about the various industries in the Southeast Asian region such as e-commerce, retail and construction while doing extensive research in the projects that I was involved in.
How has this global experience prepared me for the working world? From learning to communicating in an entirely new language to daily survival skills – flexibility is key. This skill, which I got to learn in a sink-or-swim environment, is one that will be carried through the rest of my life. This kind of international internship experience and the understanding of the Southeast Asian emerging markets can offer new business perspectives and contexts when I’m ready to start work. This experience will also illustrate to future employers that I’m passionate, driven and not afraid to step outside my comfort zone, all qualities that will take me far in the professional world.
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GREAT IS CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE LIFE GREAT
Our 110th anniversary is a celebration of life and the people who inspire us to be who and what we are today – your insurer of choice since 1908. and 23,000-strong agency force across the Great Eastern Group who go the extra mile to make life great for our customers, each and every da y. Together, we put the ‘Great’ in Great Eastern. Together, let’s Celebrate Great. #CelebrateGreat with us in our 110th year at great110.com CELEBRATE LIFE | CELEBRATE HERITAGE | CELEBRATE GREAT
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STUDENT CARE - MANAGING YOUR WELLNESS
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esearch shows that one’s ability to cope with and manage the changes arising from transition to university or from university to work can affect the quality of academic or work performance. It has also been found that students with larger support networks tend to be successful in their higher education. Students with better stress management skills have been found to be more successful in higher education. In addition, lack of fitness may contribute negatively to academic performance. Increased overall levels of wellness may be related to successful overall relationships. Student Care Department is committed to the promotion of student wellness based on the belief that wellness is a key foundation for academic, career and life success. We aim
Piloxing Knockout!
Enhancing physical wellness by having a balanced diet, regular exercises, adequate rest and relaxation.
Chek Jawa Guided Walk
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Themed Tea Parties to develop resilient individuals who lead healthy, effective and balanced lives through our various initiatives. We strive to help students understand and value wellness in the 4 dimensions: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social – and hope that students cultivate attitudes and behaviours that foster healthy lifestyle. Structures are also in place for the provision of counselling services or peer support to students who face challenges and need help.
StrengthsFinder Workshop Series
Being equipped at workshops to enhance mental and emotional wellness. Stress & Anxiety Management Workshop
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Social Wellness
Building Healthy, Nurturing and Supportive Relationships
SIM Peer Mentors have a mission to promote a culture of care and support and facilitate social integration between students through initiatives and programmes. We aim to: • Be the eyes and ears to students who are in distress/ need help and be the bridge between the latter and the counsellor. • Befriend and provide support to new international students in their transition and integration to life in Singapore and SIM.
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SIM Peer Mentors
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SIM Wellness Advocates
The SIM Wellness Advocates aspire to build a strong culture of health and well-being amongst SIM GE students where each one takes responsibility for personal and community wellness. We champion the adoption of a healthy lifestyle through the planning and execution of initiatives and programmes, which encourage greater self-awareness, raise awareness of current health issues and advocate healthy lifestyle choices
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JOB-SEARCHING: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE Here are some tips and strategies to help you in your strenuous job search ahead.
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here are many avenues for you to begin your search for job opportunities, but it is not as straightforward as it may seem. The job hunting process requires a lot of strategising and tactical approaches especially if you want to boost your chances of a successful application. Make sure you follow these tips and tricks that can help you maximise your time and effort in your job search journey.
The Basics These are some basic channels where you can begin searching for job opportunities as well as some strategies to make the most of these avenues.
Career Services @ Career Connect CHECKLIST Have you done all of these while job-hunting? If you have not checked any of the boxes below, you should follow the tips and strategies prepared for you in this article.
Visited Career Connect for career-planning advice. Actively participate in career fairs. Follow your ideal employers on your social media accounts. Join employer events to learn more about them and the industry. Leveraging the contacts you have made for job opportunities. Actively browse through job portals to learn about what a particular job role would typically entail. Prepared an elevator pitch for networking events. Sent in a speculative application to an employer before.
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When it comes to planning your career, there are few people better-placed to help than the career advisors on Strategy: Before meeting your campus. Aside from career advisor, make sure you guiding you through have identified the purpose of applications and your meetings beforehand and résumés, interviews prepare the necessary documents. and assessment For instance, if you’re seeing your centres, they can advisor to check your cover letter, also assist you in be sure to come with a first draft of finding a suitable job the document. match.
Job portals The breadth and variety of jobs registered on job portals make them an effective platform for Strategy: Use job portals to glean a jobseekers to survey ballpark estimation of the market the job market and salary and requirements (e.g. skills and obtain updated experience) for a particular position information. by reviewing advertised job roles. Knowledge of these can help you tailor your applications and résumés to make them more targeted towards specific roles or industries – essentially making them more relevant to employers.
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Career fairs Career fairs are great opportunities to meet employers. However, your encounters with them can be brief and may not result in a job offer right away. Hence, it would be a better idea to treat career fairs as opportunities to network with as many employers as possible, and to follow up with those whom you are interested in after the fair.
Strategy: Before going to the event, find out which companies will be at the fair and highlight a few that you absolutely must visit. You can also prepare a few essential questions to ask the recruiters to help you better understand the company.
Employer events You can keep yourself up-todate of events organised by the employers you are Strategy: Prepare an elevator pitch that interested in through can help you with your introduction their social media (which can also be used in career pages or website. fairs) beforehand. Employer events These events may may also include networking sessions include seminars, talks dedicated to helping participants build and Q&A sessions to connections, so be sure to practise your help jobseekers better networking skills. understand the industry or employer. These events are typically more relaxed and focused than career fairs, and there are more opportunities
The advanced: Hidden job opportunities Not all jobs are advertised, so be proactive to yield better results from your job search. Here are some ways to track down hidden opportunities.
Networking Most vacancies are filled through recommendations and word-of-mouth. Make a point to inform your contacts about your job search so they can help you out. You never know – your personal contacts, or second and third degree connections (e.g. friends and family) may know employers who are looking for someone like you.
Speculative applications Speculative applications are great for jobseekers who have a strong interest in working for a particular employer but do not have any advertised vacancies. Make sure to do ample research to find out more about the job role and typical requirements for it, in order to send in an effective application. Alternatively, you can establish contact prior to sending in your application so that you can tailor it to the employer’s needs.
Work experience It is common for employers to convert part-time staff and interns into full-time employees. Hence, it may be a good idea to seek out these early opportunities while in school.
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ou’ve decided it’s time to think about what you want for your first job. But where should you even begin? Getting your first job right without knowing what to expect can be daunting. To help you get started, here are three considerations you should make when taking your first step into the professional world. We hope these tips will help you make a well-informed decision when choosing a career path to embark on. To learn how an affiliation to ISCA, the national accountancy body can help you achieve more as an accounting professional, visit www.isca.org.sg. Your first job is a stepping stone and how it pans out may pave the way for your career ahead. It is crucial that your first job offers you opportunities to advance further and help you achieve your long-term professional goals. Research on the typical career progression pathways for the job you wish to pursue and in the specific field you want to work in. Alternatively, you can ask your recruiter about the kind of professional progression opportunities offered internally during the job interview stage. You should also consider how the career path can widen your network of professional contacts (e.g. industry professionals and clients). They may potentially be able to open doors that will lead you to other career opportunities in the future.
1.
Future opportunities
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Career progression doesn’t only mean rising through ranks of the corporate ladder, but also growing professionally through hands-on work experience and training. Formal and on-the-job training as well as mentorships can help you achieve professional growth. As such, you should find out if your prospective employer will provide those. Also, does your employer believe in showing and teaching graduates how to succeed at what they do? Or do they think that it is more effective for fresh recruits to learn on the job, by throwing them in the deep end and letting them swim on their own? These are questions you can ask your recruiter straight off the bat during your job interview so you know what to expect.
2.
Professional training and growth
While it is beneficial for you to hone your existing skill sets on the job, it is also key to think about building other transferable skills. Diversifying and developing your skills will help you become a wellrounded and marketable individual. This is especially important if you are looking to join another company in the future. Additionally, broadening your skill sets will allow you to discover career options outside your current field which you may not have been qualified for previously, due to the lack of certain skills. One way for you to find out if your prospective employer or role will allow you to pick up other competencies outside of your current skill sets is to understand how teams work in the company. Ask your recruiter if employees in different departments work independently or collaboratively. Exposure to cross-departmental tasks will allow you to learn different skills, whereas routine tasks may limit you to only one specific skill set.
3.
Broadening skill sets and boosting job prospects
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RULES OF GETTING HIRED It is important to do the necessary groundwork before you start your job search.
F
inding promising job leads through various platforms is the easy part of the job hunting process. Attracting recruiters and successfully getting hired is a different ball game altogether. Besides impressive paper qualifications, you will need to prep, plan and take positive action in order to boost your chances of standing out among other candidates and grabbing recruiters’ attention.
RULE 1:
START YOUR PREP WORK EARLY
Job searching is so much more than just churning out applications to prospective employers.
Research is important • Don’t wait until the application process to do your research. Start early and maximise as many sources as you can. For instance, talk to seniors who are already working to find out about their experience thus far. • Understand the job market and manage your expectations on different roles. This will help you plan your education and career, especially when you’re applying for internships or picking majors. • Keep abreast of both local and international current affairs, as well as industry-specific news. Awareness of these will showcase your genuine enthusiasm and interest in the job during your job application process.
RULE 2: BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Networking is a great way to learn about a particular industry and to look for job opportunities that may not be advertised. It is also a great way to meet people with similar professional interests and career goals.
Widen your network • Families and friends are the easiest way to start expanding your network. You can tell them about your career plans and they might just be able to connect you with an important contact who could help you in your job application. • Keep in touch with contacts from past work experiences or internships through platforms like LinkedIn or even email. • Attend networking sessions organised by student clubs or societies, or look at event platforms that promotes sessions based on collective interests.
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RULE 3:
EXPAND YOUR JOB SEARCH
To truly optimise your job searching process, don’t limit yourself to specific employers or roles. Be open to different job opportunities, while still keeping in mind that they should also match your ultimate career goals.
Don't limit your job search • Instead of staking all your hopes on big and popular employers, consider applying for roles in both big and small companies. As a fresh graduate trying to get ahead in your career, you may want to accumulate as much relevant experience and skills as you can, which can be acquired regardless of the size of the employer. • Consider different roles that may have a similar job scope or those that may help you develop skills that you’re keen on learning. List them down for reference as you trawl through job sites while doing your research. • Not all job vacancies are advertised, so don’t restrict your search to just job portals. You could look for leads on the employers’ websites, or send in a speculative application to showcase your interest in working for a specific employer.
RULE 4:
BE PROACTIVE
Job opportunities will not be handed to you on a silver platter. There is no other way to get yourself out there except to be proactive and take action throughout the process. So work hard and don’t let opportunities slip away!
Persevere • Regardless of the economic climate, you should remain positive about your job hunt. Be patient and maintain a positive mindset.
Follow up • Follow-up emails after a meeting or a networking session with a potential employer can influence a recruiter's decision to shortlist you as a potential candidate. • Reply to prospective employers promptly as some employers may be rushing to fill the position, so don't risk losing out.
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ESSENTIAL SOFT SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT TO SEE Having the necessary technical or hard skills may get you shortlisted, but showcasing that you have the right soft skills will set you apart from other candidates.
G
raduate employers place a lot of emphasis on finding candidates with the right skills and competencies for their organisation. These could be very specific skills, abilities and knowledge needed to do the job. However, complementing these technical competencies are skills and behaviours that are essential for your career. These basic soft skills are often overlooked by candidates, but they are the things recruitment professionals want to see evidence of.
Time management
Team management Team management involves the ability to collaborate with and lead a group of different individuals to achieve a common goal, and to do so in a positive working atmosphere. A wellmanaged team uses individual strengths to improve team performance.
How to showcase during an interview
Someone with good time management skills are able to prioritise tasks and organise their schedule in order to complete their work on time without compromising their work quality.
Talk about of a time when your personal involvement has directly affected the way a group of people have worked, and positively influenced the outcome. Always remain positive when answering questions about teamwork as you want your employers to recognise your ability to get along with your colleagues.
How to showcase during an interview
Example
Explain your ability to meet deadlines, and describe how you prioritise your tasks and handle interruptions while you are working.
Example “I was managing several different projects while juggling my responsibilities as a committee member of the Music Society on campus. I was working to meet different project deadlines so I had to divide my time and resources appropriately. I was able to get all of the projects submitted on time by breaking them into smaller tasks and set mini deadlines for each one. I also set rules for myself to block out distractions and help me handle interruptions when the task at hand is urgent.”
“I was responsible for a team that was given a specific target to achieve. By giving certain team members particular roles that played well with their strengths and enabling them to reach their full potential, we were able to achieve that target successfully.”
Tip: Taking up roles with some level of authority in extracurricular activities, such as student council positions or a team captain role of a sports team, is a good way to gain leadership skills.
Tip: Commitments to part-time work or extracurricular activities call for good time management, and it's a skill you're likely to develop further through work experience or internships.
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Problem solving skills Problem solving is all about using logic, as well as imagination, to make sense of your situation and come up with intelligent solutions. It also involves analytical skills and thinking out of the box when solving an issue.
How to showcase during an interview Prepare an example of a problem solving experience you’ve encountered. You will need to explain how you identified the problem, came up with a solution and implemented it. Quantifiable results are good, and the more complex the situation, the more impressive a successful result is.
Example “During one of our major society events, we realised that we had run out of drinks for our guests. As the head of the committee, my team and I quickly drew up three options to resolve the problem. After careful consideration, we decided to go with Option C. Although Option C was slightly pricier than the other options, it proved to be the most effective solution as it helped us improve the overall guests’ experience at the event.”
Interpersonal and communication skills Having these skills means that you are able to interact with other people, whether as an individual or in a group.
How to showcase during an interview You need to be able to express yourself concisely to impress graduate recruiters, but you also need to be a good listener and skilled at asking questions. Besides that, you can talk about an instance where you were able to use interpersonal skills confidently to resolve a problem or to improve a situation. It may also be a good idea to select examples where you used diplomacy when communicating with other people.
Example
Tip: Consider using the STAR model when explaining the situation during an interview. Think about the Situation you faced and the Task you had to complete, the Actions you took, and the Results you achieved.
“We encountered a problem when we were organising one of our society events, as one of my team member had a difficult time coming to an agreement with one of our suppliers. I acted as a mediator and was able to help them resolve their problems by speaking to them individually and understanding their reasons. By doing so, I was able to help them come to an agreeable term.”
Tip: At interviews you should be confident, smile and make eye contact. Shake hands and remember names. Remember that non-verbal communication is important too!
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DEVELOP YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS There are some vital technical skills that you can spend time to understand and acquire, even if you do not have an IT background.
User experience (UX) Having good UX understanding is more than merely understanding the needs of consumers, along with their values, abilities, and limitations. It also involves knowing how to use design to improve the way customers interact with a product or service. The quality of the user experience which customers undergo is greatly impacted by factors such as usability, brand consistency, and aesthetics. Keep up with the latest user trends and concepts, such as digital social gaming which organisations have undertaken to create more enticing and value-added consumer experience journeys.
Needs analysis Businesses that cater to the ever-changing needs and wants of their customers are the ones which withstand the test of time. Employers want job seekers who can gain a keen perception and comprehensive understanding of customer’s needs, be it through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or other forms of interactions and research. Tools such as organisational analysis, work/task analysis, and person analysis, are also valued by employers who want to find out what makes their employees tick. If you can match different needs assessment models to different situations or industries, companies would want you for their needs analysis. You should know how to phrase questions to get the desired information, especially in survey forms and questionnaires.
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Data visualisation
Coding Coding knowledge has become almost as important as other basic forms of literacy. From HTML to C++ to Java, knowledege of basic programming language helps you a great deal in this digital age and time. Employers want candidates who can write source codes, as well as test and debug codes. Most businesses have an online presence now and need to upkeep and maintain their websites.
D ata v i s u a l i s at i o n is a branch of visual communication, which helps in interpreting data via visuals. It involves understanding a variety of things: the data that you are trying to convey, such as its size and cardinality; how your audience consumes visual information; and the visual that best serves your purpose. Someone with data visualisation knowledge does more than just plug in numbers into pie charts and graphs. They will also explore new ways to help them simplify and communicate complicated trends or results obtained from the analysis of a company’s big data for the decision-makers. Clear representation of relevant data doesn’t just allow them to comprehend the data quickly, but also helps them identify patterns and emerging trends.
Big data & data management/ analytics The term “big data” has gone pretty viral these days, but what is behind all the hype? It refers to the information that is stored and collected in a server, which can be used by businesses and organisations for different purposes. Possessing data management skills means that the employee can help organisations turn their big data into insightful information for value-added services to their customers. Superior data management knowledge can also help businesses observe and predict future consumer trends. Data management skills go beyond just looking at and analysing data with different softwares. You may also be expected to know how to develop a good tracking system, guarantee data integrity, as well as perform basic database design and planning.
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Programmatic thinking Programmatic thinking – also known as computational thinking – isn’t exactly new, and is one of many ways to make use of big data. Programmatic thinking places great focus on logic when assessing a situation, and is already transforming industries like advertising and financial services. Someone who is used to programmatic thinking has a tendency of approaching a problem by analysing and logically organising data. This tactical approach teaches graduates to view problems in an organised, structured manner that can be solved through reason and data analysis. For instance, if you are requested to write a product marketing plan with a lean budget, you can start out by breaking down your concerns into parts and finding ways to solve them quickly. After which, you can compile data on the most ideal marketing methods to make your product successful and allocate the budget accordingly.
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CRAFTING EFFECTIVE RÉSUMÉS A good résumé is key to getting the graduate job you want. Here are tips on how to get your résumé ready for job applications.
T
he overall aim of a résumé is to market yourself and your skills to an employer and convince them to invite you to an interview or assessment centre. Moreover, your résumé is quite likely your first point of contact with a recruiter, so it is important for you to tailor your résumé to match the industry and the employer’s requirements for the role on offer. Although there are no hard and fast rules for writing résumés, or for the structure you should use, there are some guidelines that you can follow to use as a starting point. That said, here are two recommended formats for your résumé:
Reverse chronological résumé • Involves listing your experiences from your most recent to the oldest one. • Allows the employers to grasp your skills and experience in a single glance.
Keep your purpose in mind Regardless of the format, your résumé should always be adapted to highlight your strengths and how they align with the employer’s needs. For instance, if you are applying for a software engineering job, you may want to use a skills-based résumé to showcase your skills and the projects you’ve worked on. In a case like this, a skills-based résumé would be more fitting than a reverse chronological résumé.
Skills-based résumé • Emphasises your skills and achievements. • Useful for graduates who have limited work history or a work history that isn’t directly related to the job that you’re applying for.
Top tips for effective résumés • Be selective with the information on your résumé. Make sure to only highlight the most relevant skills for the role or industry you’re applying for. • Make it short and concise. Recruiters expect graduate résumés to be no longer than two page. • Use easy-to-read typefaces such as Times New Roman, Tahoma, Calibri or Arial. • Keep your font size between 10 to 12, with a different size for headers. • Keep tweaking your résumé. With enough practice, you’ll soon be able to grasp what works and what doesn’t.
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Résumé format
kwwong@gmail.com
Aug 2015 – May 2018
Aug – Dec 2017
May – July 2017
May – July 2016
Aug 2016 – Aug 2017
Jan 2016 – Present
edwin.wong@sim.edu.sg
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WHAT'S IN A GOOD COVER LETTER Impress recruiters with a well-written cover letter to go along with your résumé.
H
ere we have two cover letters – but only one is considered a good cover letter. Look at what an effective cover letter includes to discover how to impress a recruiter right away, and learn from the other cover letter’s mistakes so you don’t make the same ones.
COVER LETTER A Dear Ms Chung, I am writing to apply to be a management trainee in your management graduate programme. I am on course to graduate this coming July with a Bachelor of Business Management with Communications (Hons) from SIM-University of Birmingham, with a projected GPA of 3.5. I was encouraged to apply after speaking to one of your representatives at a talk given at my university. (1) Through my degree programme, I have learned about most conventional information systems. I have also studied important business topics such as product life cycles, organisational behaviour, quality control metrics, consumer behaviour and supply-chain management – all of which can be useful to the job on offer. (2)
Why it's a good cover letter The first paragraph states what job Veronica is applying for, as well as her academic background.
1.
This section shows that she has the theoretical knowledge for the role.
2.
One of the group assignments during my degree was a project aimed to simulate the launch of a new organic snack brand. I particularly enjoyed leading a team that oversaw the purchasing and logistics of the project. I initiated a brainstorming session, and then delegated responsibility to come up with a framework to collate essential client data. (3)
The applicant strategically selected information that showcases her ability to be a team player and a leader.
During my second year, I did a four-month formal internship with FeynM, a European FMCG company, and was placed in their F&B division. I helped the company evaluate their partnerships with packaging vendors, and identified more cost-effective alternatives to their current arrangements. My supervisors took my findings into consideration, and realised they could reduce packaging costs by 5% as a result. I also managed to pitch an idea to the marketing team, suggesting a more sustainable campaign for our organic food products to be based around the natural elements of sun and water. The idea was accepted and implemented. (4)
The internship experience shows that she is capable of translating what she learned to realworld practice. Remember always to include examples and let your achievements speak for themselves.
I would love to work for Deb & Co. and contribute to its success. Looking at your website, I believe strongly in your company's policies of creating products that are cruelty-free, and I think I would benefit from your rotational set-up and the mentor scheme you run for new joiners. (5) I have attached my CV for your consideration, and I hope to hear from you in due course. Yours Sincerely, Veronica Lee
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3.
4.
The applicant demonstrated that she has done her research on the company’s culture. Going the extra mile will impress recruiters and will show them your genuine interest in the organisation.
5.
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COVER LETTER B
Why this cover letter falls short The opening paragraph is little more than an exercise in flattery, which can have an adverse effect of sounding insincere. Jason is also not clear about which graduate management scheme he is applying for.
1.
Dear Ms Chung, I would like to apply for your graduate management scheme, as it is a great opportunity for me to learn in an internationally-renowned company like yours. I believe I share your aims of championing vitality and the well-being of people and Mother Earth. (1) Through my studies, I’ve learned a lot about Singapore’s FMCG industry. I participated in a school project where I was involved in managing start-up costs for a new line of retail stores for a scenario that was assigned to us. The team project allowed me to gain teamworking skills which I can bring to your company. (2) I also learned management skills through my internship with FeynM, a European FMCG company. I juggled many tasks with overlapping deadlines and had to deal with suppliers which helped develop my people skills. I contributed by helping to maximise productivity and slash overheads, which resulted in greater profitability for the company and the cultivation of more winwin relationships with its customers and suppliers. (3) I would love to meet you and show you everything I’ve learned in university (such as product life cycles, consumer behaviour and supply-chain management) to see if they will transfer to your business. (4) I have always been a big fan of Deb & Co. and your ethos as an organisation. You will find me to be committed, driven, and ready to go the extra mile. I am confident I will be a great addition to your company. I would love to have the chance to speak with you in an interview to show you what I can do. (5) Yours sincerely, Jason Chan
The applicant does not mention any of his achievements and fail to provide any examples that showcase his skills.
2.
Using jargons (e.g. slash overheads) is a big no-no. There are no mentions of specific, measurable examples of the applicant’s achievements during his internship.
3.
This sounds like Jason have not done enough research on whether his knowledge would relate to the job he is applying for.
4.
Signing off by saying you are a big fan can be cheesy to many recruiters. Also, he still has not shown how he can be of added value to the company.
5.
WHY SHOULD YOU WRITE A COVER LETTER?
• It’s an opportunity for you to highlight your skills and motivations for your application in greater detail.
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• Recruiters may use cover letters to gauge your level of interest in the position. Applicants who do not submit one may appear indifferent to the job.
• A cover letter can give recruiters a hint of your personality, which can determine your fit for the role/organisation.
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LINKEDIN FOR CAREER SUCCESS & DIGITAL NETWORKING Networking in the virtual world is just as important as networking face-to-face.
I
n today’s day and age, recruiters have expanded their means of headhunting from just using job portals to source talents, to using social networking platforms in their search for potential candidates. One of the platforms that has become increasingly instrumental for both the recruiters and jobseekers is LinkedIn. LinkedIn allows students and graduates to network virtually and meet prospective employers, while recruiters learn about potential candidates through the information they provide on their profiles. You should thus make an effort to create and manage your online presence to send a consistent message to recruiters and to grow your network of professional contacts. Here are some tips to help get you started.
BASIC TIPS
Put your profile together
Grow your network/ connections
• Use a professional profile photo
• Respond to requests
Always remember that LinkedIn is a professional social networking platform. Make sure you snap an appropriate-looking headshot for your profile picture.
Always respond promptly to pending connection requests. You can also send a personalised thank-you message to your connection for reaching out to you.
• Keep your profile updated
• Explore suggested connections
Highlight your achievements, qualifications and work experience. Make use of bullet points to help you be concise. Don’t forget to proofread as well.
LinkedIn will suggest you to connect with people whom you might know. Make use of the function to establish more connections.
• Tweak your privacy settings
If you want to connect with people whom you do not know, try to find a mutual friend to introduce you beforehand.
Update your privacy settings so that your profile is made public, but hide all your activities so that your contacts will not be spammed with every single update you make.
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• Request to connect with a personal touch
• Look out for viewers People who have viewed your profile may be potential connections that you can invest in. If you see someone who catches your eye, drop them a note to introduce yourself and suggest to connect with them.
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GO THE EXTRA MILE BY ... 1. Endorsing skills LinkedIn lets its users recommend people and endorse skills. These can be useful assessments of your skills, especially if they come from your supervisors and/or lecturers. Remember to also give and take on the endorsements.
2. Creating status updates and a blog Create status updates and start a blog on LinkedIn to share your thoughts on professional topics. You may want to use status updates for short thoughts and reserve long discussions for your blog.
3. Following relevant groups Explore organisations or interest groups that align with the causes that you are interested in or care about to get updates. Make sure to chime in on discussions. What you say may just impress an industry professional who can connect you with career opportunities!
4. Participating in public interaction Interact with your connections by commenting on their statuses and starting discussions. This will help keep you in their minds. Make sure you keep your comments professional at all times – the last thing you want to do is to burn bridges online.
5. Turning virtual connections to real-life connections Networking online is good as a platform to get started, but try to meet your contacts face-to-face to establish a real connection. Get in touch with them online to see if they are keen to meet in person, or if they will be attending an event or meet-up which you can also join.
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Check the subject line The subject line should contain keywords that will allow recruiters to quickly recognise the purpose of the email. “Application for management associate position,” for example, is short but informative. It is also easy to search for, especially in a full inbox, and looks suitably professional.
HOW TO WRITE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL Your first contact with a graduate recruiter is likely to be an email, so make an effort to create a good first impression with a professionally written email.
W
ritten communication skills are essential for graduate jobs and are greatly valued by employers. Your job may not involve crafting long reports or strategy documents, but emails are a fact of working life in most careers and even for the shortest note, clear communication is essential – so make sure you put some thought and care to your email before hitting the send button. Here are some tips on how to write a professional and clear email that will leave recruiters with a positive impression of you.
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"Hi", "Hello", or "Dear"? "Hi" may be too casual for your first contact with an employer. "Dear Ms/Mr ABC" is probably your safest bet. If the recruiter replies with a "Hi" and your first name, then take their lead and do likewise in all your subsequent correspondence. Nonetheless, always be sure to maintain a professional tone.
Use everyday English and be concise Whilst studying at university, one tends to adopt an overly wordy, passive academic style to convey what one is thinking, asserting and concluding. Long words and flowery phrasing can make you feel impressive, but it’s better to get straight to the point. Be active and not passive. The passive voice is where the subject is acted upon instead of acting itself. The typical giveaway is the use of ‘to be’ and its various forms: is, was, were, am, are. An example of a phrase with a passive voice is "I was responsible for the launch of a new process". You should instead word it in a more straightforward manner by saying, "I launched a new process". Use everyday English and active verbs to convey information and actions without a blur of unnecessary words. You’ll have room to include more about yourself and make your key achievements stand out.
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Don't spice things up with txt spk If you’re looking for an original way to make a job application or email stand out, don’t write it in text language. If you want to be taken seriously, carefully proofread all your emails to make sure you sound respectful and professional. Reserve smiley emoticons for message boards and Facebook. Slangs and jargons are best avoided too. It totes make things confusing for ‘em recruiters!
Read up on basic grammar and check your spelling carefully Correct grammar, punctuation and spelling are tools that give sense to what you say. Make sure to proofread and double (or even triple!) check your email draft before clicking send. You want your email to be clear and error-free, as recruiters have very little time to try to interpret what you really mean, and spelling slip-ups will show your lack of attention to detail.
Signing off Close your email as you would in a cover letter. You should make the effort to get a contact name for your application to address that person directly – so sign off with "Yours sincerely" and use your full name.
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DRESS TO WIN Make a stellar first impression by appearing prepped and professional.
F
irst impressions are formed within the first few seconds of meeting someone. During this brief period, people tend to scrutinise you in a variety of ways: your posture, the way you approach them, your handshake – and even your scent, sometimes. However, the earliest impression are made based on your appearance and attire – and this is especially true in the case of recruiters, who will assess your job fit from the get-go. A sloppy attire may be interpreted as disinterest towards the position, if not disrespect to the recruiters; whereas an immaculate getup will suggest enthusiasm. Hence, it’s critical that you are dressed your best to impress, particularly during interviews and networking sessions. Here are some easy pointers to help you leave a mark on your recruiters’ minds!
FOR HIM Hair
Dress shirt
• Keep your hair neat and short. Prevent your fringe from falling into your eyes to preserve a professional image.
• Dress shirts made of cotton are good choices as they are breathable and will absorb moisture.
• Avoid outrageous hairstyles, or dyeing it in unconventional colours.
• Solid white or blue dress shirts are safe colours and will make you look professional.
Face
• For a little variation, you can try a light colour that complements the colour of your suit.
• Opt for the clean shaven look. If you do intend to keep facial hair, keep it neat.
• Be sure to check that the collar fits the length of your neck and that the cuffs are not too tight or loose.
• Invest in chapsticks if you know that your lips are prone to crack when dry.
Socks and shoes
• Good dental hygiene leads to a great smile! Be sure to check your teeth and breath if you just had a meal prior to the interview.
Suit • Invest in a good two-piece suit to exude confidence and professionalism. • The jacket of your two-piece suit should fit you snugly around the shoulder and the waist without being too tight or loose, and the sleeves should not extend past your knuckles when your arms are relaxed to your sides. • Your dress pants should be long enough to cover your ankles when you sit. • In terms of colours, it is safest to purchase a suit in charcoal, dark grey, or navy; although most experts agree that navy is the most versatile colour and can be worn for many occasions.
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• Always wear polished dress shoes and dark socks to formal events as they look more professional.
Accessories • Ties: Opt for a simple design or small prints, and stick to colours such as blue, beige, dark green, or dark red. Ideally, the length of your tie should fall right at your belt after tying it on. • Belt: Opt for leather belts with simple buckles, and match the colour of your belt to your shoes. • Cufflinks and tie clips: It’s generally a better idea to use tie clips instead of cufflinks. If you do intend to use cufflinks, use a pair with a simple and understated design. • Rings and earrings: Do not wear more than one ring; and avoid earrings/studs altogether.
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FOR HER Hair
Pantsuit
• Girls with long hair should keep it tied up to create a neat image.
• Keep to black, grey, or navy-coloured suits, although employers generally agree that black is best as it gives women a more impressive appearance.
• If you have short hair, style it or pin it up so that your hair and/or fringe does not fall into your face. • Do not dye it with eccentric or shocking colours.
Face • Use make up sparingly as it should help you enhance your looks and confidence instead of distracting your interviewers. Stick to neutral colours, and avoid dark eye shadows and bright lipsticks. • Dental hygiene is crucial! Be sure to check your teeth and breath if you just had a meal prior to the interview.
• Complement your pantsuit with a light-coloured blouse or cotton shirt, and avoid strapless, spaghetti-strapped, and faded tops. • Make sure that your slacks allows you to sit comfortably instead of stretching over your thighs when you take a seat.
Skirt suit • Check the hemline of your skirt and make sure that it doesn’t ride up too much when you sit. • Consider wearing a hose along with your skirt suit, whether nude or dark-coloured, but do avoid fishnets and print patterns.
Dress • Select a professional-looking dress and pair it with a blazer to create a classy look. • Avoid dresses that are too revealing (e.g. low-cut or sheer fabric), or too gaudy in colour (e.g. neon colours). • Consider the fabric of your attire too. Go for breathable fabrics such as cotton to accommodate our climate.
Shoes • Heels are recommended, but they should not be too high – preferably about two to three inches. • Closed-toe pumps or flats are also good options to keep you comfortable. • Stick to simple designs and colours (e.g. black, blue, nude) to be safe. Lace-up heels might be fashionable, but are inappropriate in office settings.
Accessories • Earrings: Do not wear more than one pair of earrings, and avoid dangling earrings that are too long or too garish. • Necklaces and bracelets: Avoid gaudy or chunky accessories. Instead, stick to simple designs for an elegant look. • Bags: Satchel, tote, and messenger bags can help you create a classic and classy appearance. Avoid bags such as hobo bags, backpacks, and clutches. • Nail polish: Neatly trimmed nails are best, and if you must use nail polish, choose a colour that is close to your lipstick colour.
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NETWORKING FOR SUCCESS Here are some of the things that you should pay attention to when you're making new connections!
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wide network can lead to crucial job opportunities. However, successful networking goes beyond just the meet-and-greet phase. It requires a continuous investment of sincerity, attention, and strategy – which can be pretty exhausting. But as laborious as the process can be, the benefits are boundless. From gaining employment leads and career advice, to industry updates, you’ll find that your contacts will have plenty to offer.
Dress smart, dress well Showing up at a networking event in a regular T-shirt and jeans combo is a recipe for disaster. While you may intend for this to imply your easy-going nature, others may interpret it as a sign of indifference, which could negatively affect your networking campaign. Instead, dress formally to create a professional outlook: • For the gentlemen, this would mean the usual suit, shirt, and tie combo. Shed layers should the event be less formal than expected. • Ladies can choose from a skirt/pantsuit, or a formal dress. You may accessorise to complement your look, but do practise restraint.
Strategise and be selective Many graduates attend networking events aiming to speak to anyone and everyone, but this can be a counterproductive move. Not only will it turn into a draining process, it can also diminish the quality of your time with each individual, and dampen your chances of a follow up. Before the event, research on the attendees, and decide who you’d like to prioritise during your rounds. You should also estimate the amount of time you would need to spend with each attendee to maximise your time at the event.
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Keep the conversation going Small talk is inevitable when you are networking, and people are almost guaranteed to ask you a specific set of questions: what do you study; what career path are you interested in; and how do you intend to start your career? Preparing an elevator pitch about yourself will help you greatly in such situations. Your pitch should take no longer than 20 to 30 seconds, and contain an interesting and succinct introduction about your background and career goals. That said, be careful not to depend on your pitch too much – use your pitch to kickstart the conversation before moving on naturally to other topics. However, be sure that you avoid controversial topics such as politics and religion.
Listen and remain interested Networking can sometimes be stressful because of the misconception that you need to be actively promoting yourself all the time. Nothing can be further from the truth. One important skill to apply at all times is to practise the art of active listening. Instead of competing with others to get some airtime, listen to the other party, and show genuine interest in their topic of conversation. Provide input or ask questions when appropriate. This not only makes you memorable, but will also help you establish a better relationship with the individual.
Follow up, follow through Having established a new connection, remember to follow up with your contacts within the next 24 to 48 hours. Find them on LinkedIn and add them to your network, or even better – send them a personal message/email to thank them for their time! Also, if you’ve promised to send them any documents, be sure to follow through as soon as possible.
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Things to avoid during networking events Using your technology devices when you’re supposed to be concentrating on something risks looking rude. If you want to take notes on your tablet or laptop in a group session or one-to-one chat, ask if that’s alright, so the employer knows that that’s what you’re doing. Mobile phones should be away and on silent. If there’s a very good reason why you can’t comply (e.g. you’re waiting for news of a relative in hospital) let everyone relevant know.
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INTERVIEWS TIPS Clueless as to how you can approach interviews? Don't worry, we've got you covered!
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ongratulations! You are one step closer to getting the job now that you have secured an interview with an employer. Now comes the tricky part – you need to convince them that you have what it takes for the role you applied for. This is easier said than done, but preparing ahead can go a long way in boosting your chances of getting the job. Here’s a short list of common interview questions to help you prep.
5 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS "Tell me about yourself." This is a tricky one. Many candidates make the mistake of reciting biographical information about themselves. Your interviewers have those already! What interests the interviewer is your compatibility for the job on offer, so talk about your skills, past experiences, and achievements that are related to the job instead.
"What is your biggest weakness?" Interviewers ask this question to evaluate your degree of self-awareness and your ability to improve. This does not mean you should resort to self-deprecation, though! Instead, you can talk about a problem you encountered in the past, and the steps you took to mitigate the problem. Aim to describe a weakness that could also be a strength, but don’t be corny (“I’m a perfectionist” is too cliché!).
"What do you know about the company, and why do you want to work for us?" This is your chance to impress the interviewer with the research you’ve done. However, make sure you’re not just regurgitating everything that is on their website. Relate qualities about you to the company’s history and culture or its products and services to explain why the company interests you. Questions like this are exactly why you need to do your homework beforehand.
"What are your strengths?" Employers look for candidates who are realistic about their abilities, so resist the temptation to exaggerate or talk about skills you do not have. Reflect on the qualities that the particular job requires and then use specific experiences from your past as examples to prove that you do possess the skills you claim to have.
"Where do you see yourself in five years?" When interviewers ask this question, what they want to know is how committed you are to the job. Do your research on the profession you are applying for and find out the kind of career progression you can realistically expect within the company. Alternatively, you could talk about the skills you wish to build on should you end up working in that company.
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PREPPING FOR THE BIG DAY Knowing what questions to expect is important, but the preparation process is often what determines your rate of success.
Research widely
Pre-interview
Research not only enables you to give in-depth answers and the ability to ask better questions during interviews, you’ll also be able to assess whether the organisation is right for you. Also, take time to research the requirements of the role and how your skills and interests align with it. Additionally, you can also read up on the company culture. To widen the scope of your research, read up on the industry in general – have an understanding of the latest market trends and current issues. By doing so, you’ll be adding breadth and depth to your answers, and increasing your chances of impressing your interviewers.
Practice Practice makes perfect, so come up with a list of commonly-asked interview questions to avoid getting caught off guard in the actual interview. Our list of common interview questions in the previous page can help you get a good head start. You can practice individually, or enlist the help of your career advisor by setting up mock interview sessions.
Communicate clearly
During the interview
Most companies will settle on the middle ground between standard English and the local variation, so occasionally dropping a “la” or “ma” is acceptable as you’ll want to sound natural. If your work is contingent on good language and communication, you may need to practice speaking in proper, perfect English to keep up a good image.
Ask and clarify If you encounter a question you’re unable to answer, stay calm and think it through step-by-step. Walk the interviewer through what you know, and show them how you’ll arrive at a hypothetical answer to their question. If all else fails, “I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer” is a perfectly reasonable response. Also, when in doubt, ask. However, avoid asking questions with answers that can be easily found on the firm’s website. Instead, ask questions pertaining to career progression, professional certifications, employer expectations and even firm culture – questions that require insider knowledge and experience.
Speak with tact While remuneration is important, extra care should be taken during salary negotiation. Avoid making a salary pitch too early on and wait till you’re the final candidate in the hiring process before asking about the salary, bonus and company benefits. Focus less on what you want or need, and base your remuneration package on how much value you can contribute to the firm instead.
Postinterview
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Follow-up Following up after the interview could significantly affect whether an offer is extended to you as it shows your level of interest in the position. Write a simple and concise email to thank your interviewer for their time, and to reiterate your interest in the role.
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ACING ASSESSMENT CENTRES Anxious about assessment centres? Don't be! Arm yourself with the knowledge of what to expect, and go prepared instead.
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ssessment centres are best explained as a series of exercises, tests, and interviews which will involve other shortlisted candidates as well. Depending on the company’s preference, the event may last half a day to a whole day, and could take place either within the company’s premises or at a speciallybooked venue. Either way, most assessment centres are divided into two sessions:
1. Information session • You’ll be given background information about the organisation, the available roles, and an office tour. • Stay alert at all times because you’ll be assessed for your attitude at all times!
2. Assessment centre tasks Here’s where your trial begins! Recruiters typically combine a few of these activities in order to assess you from various perspectives, and most of these will require you to work in a team.
Group exercises What is it? A series of tasks that requires you to work as a team to solve. Activities can range from conservative (e.g. group discussions and presentations) to outlandish (e.g. being tied together as a group and asked to unravel yourself).
Objectives To test your ability to work with, persuade, and influence your teammates. It also assesses your emotional intelligence, ability to share responsibilities, and to accept criticism.
Tips to perform Take time to brainstorm an action plan with your teammates before starting out so that everyone understands what needs to be done. Be sure to listen to suggestions by other people. Also, remember to watch the clock and to keep a calm head at all times.
What to avoid? Being pushy with your ideas and forcing it on your teammates. At the same time, don’t try to take complete credit for the team’s success. Instead, share it without completely eclipsing your role.
Discussion groups/ Role-play scenarios What is it?
An exercise where you’re given a topic and a time limit, and asked to deliberate on it to come up with a decision or solution within the allotted time. This activity may sometimes be turned into a role-play session as well.
Objectives
This activity assesses your negotiation and critical thinking skills, as well as your ability to communicate persuasively.
Tips to perform
Strive for agreement and compromise instead of arguing about the “right” or “wrong” of things. Instead, use logical reasoning and hard facts to convince your group members about your ideas.
What to avoid?
Losing your temper and launching personal insults.
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In-tray/E-tray exercises
Presentations
What is it?
What is it?
Tasks involving a large number of memos, orders, and messages; or a laptop with a full inbox which you will have to respond to.
Objectives
To test your ability to plan and prioritise your work according to its importance and urgency.
Tips to perform
Be sure to scan through everything before you start planning, and then use the Eisenhower Decision Matrix to help you prioritise your work: 1. Important and urgent: Crises, deadlines, problems 2. Important but not urgent: Relationships, planning, recreation 3. Not important but urgent: Interruptions, meetings, activities 4. Not important and not urgent: Time-wasters, pleasant activities, trivia
Presenting about a topic that is either given to you or self-selected. The topic could be provided in advance, or given on the spot for an impromptu session. You may also be doing it alone, or as part of a team.
Objectives
To gauge your communication skills, as well as ability to structure your presentation to engage your audience.
Tips to perform
Most recruiters will provide the topic in advance, so be sure to prepare for it. Also, get plenty of practice beforehand by presenting to your family and friends, and getting their feedback to improve. If you are given the topic on the day itself, take time to draw up a presentation outline to help you anchor your speech.
What to avoid?
What to avoid?
Getting flustered and giving long-winded presentations; as well as failing to make use of good non-verbal language (e.g. eye contact with your audience, hand gestures, body posture).
Case interviews/studies
Psychometric tests
What is it?
What is it?
Spending too much time on one particular task and neglecting others, or jumping straight into the tasks without reading the instructions clearly.
A task where you’re asked to study a scenario/problem and an information pack, and to make recommendations based on your observations. Oftentimes, the scenario or problems are actual business situations encountered by the organisation.
Objectives
To assess the breadth of your commercial awareness and logical thinking skills.
Tips to perform
Read up on the latest industry news to help you notice patterns in the case. Additionally, keep an eye on the time so that you don’t spend too long reading the documents before getting to work. You should also highlight or copy out important and relevant points/sections in bullet points as you read so that you can identify the main issues without getting distracted.
Tests to measure your competences, such as numerical, verbal, and diagrammatic reasoning tests, and to determine your personality.
Objectives
To help recruiters gauge your suitability for a particular position, and to back up evidence or outcomes from other activities.
Tips to perform
Speak to your career advisors to identify the types of tests that you can expect to face, and practise as much as you can. During the test itself, make full use of your time. Whenever possible, go back and review questions that you’re unsure of.
What to avoid?
Being dishonest when answering the questions.
What to avoid?
Not clarifying details with recruiters or asking logical questions even when you have doubts, and proposing recommendations that are unrealistic.
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ACCEPTING A JOB OFFER Being offered a graduate job is one of those great moments in life — you feel wanted and the future has more certainty. But what are the things you have to consider before signing your first employment contract?
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efore you get carried away with the excitement of being offered a job, it’s important for you to pause and make sure that the job is right for you. Instead of accepting a role right away, you need to consider the terms and conditions of the offer and ensure that they are truly what you want. Take your time to think through the job offer and raise any concerns to the employer – remember, as long as you have not signed the employment contract, you can still negotiate your terms. However, you will need to be realistic in your expectations and be ready to reach a compromise.
How offers are made
Job offers, conditional or unconditional, should be made in writing. Even if you are told verbally that you have been offered the job, you should also expect to receive the offer in writing. The offer letter will normally include a copy of the terms and conditions of employment – the formal employment contract – although this may follow after the initial letter. Before you sign on the dotted line, do proper checks to make sure you are happy and that everything is as you expect. Check: • the job title • salary and benefits
• the notice period (what you have to give them, and what they have to give to you) • hours of work • holiday and sick pay entitlements • the start date Be aware that your acceptance of a job offer is binding, so it is important not to accept an offer until you are sure it's right for you. If there is something in the letter or on the contract that you don't understand, contact the employer to get clarification as soon as possible.
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The full package Remuneration is often more than just a paycheck. Many graduate jobs also offer a range of other benefits too. Before you accept a job offer, you should consider the whole package, and if they commensurate with what’s on offer in the job market. Here is a quick guide to popular perks you might be offered at work, their true value and which to choose if your employer is flexible.
If something doesn't seem right, for instance, the salary is less than you expected, there is uncertainty over the location of the job, or the terms are different from what you understood – make sure you contact the employer immediately to clear up any misunderstandings. The employer should send a revised offer in writing if any changes are agreed.
Bonus
What happens when things aren’t clear cut?
This is pretty simple: bonuses are extra payments. They're often related to the company's performance, but some are awarded for individual excellence. Many companies give their bonuses at the end of the year or beginning of the year.
Commission
If you work in sales or marketing, you may get commission. In this line of work, you have a basic salary and for every sale you make you get a percentage of the profit. The more you sell, the more you earn.
Health insurance
Not all employers in Singapore provide healthcare insurance benefits but most large companies offer private medical benefits to their employees.
Mobile phone
Some companies provide you with one for calls connected to work. Some phones are exclusively for work-related calls, but your employer may cover some personal calls as well. This is particularly useful if your job entails lots of time out of the office – that said, this benefit will depend on the line of work you are in.
The reality of things is that you are given a set salary and will have very little choice in the matter, especially for most graduate jobs. Whether you choose to question that amount is your choice, but if you do, it will require a lot of diplomacy. Make sure what you ask for is both reasonable and justifiable. Be prepared to explain why you should be placed at the upper end of the pay bracket for your role instead of what you have been initially offered. To be able to justify your request, you will have to research on the acceptable market rate or approach your network of contacts for advice to find out what you can about the range of salaries on offer from your prospective employer. Also, be sure to consider the whole package before you decide whether or not to bring the matter up.
Should I negotiate the salary?
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PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST DAY Your days in school may be fast becoming a distant memory, but starting a new chapter with your work life can be an exciting and hopeful experience.
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s you prepare for your first real job you may feel that the transition from a student lifestyle to employment will be a bit of a culture shock. Still, while it is true that you will need to adapt to a new environment, you may be pleasantly surprised at what lies in store for you. Here’s a short guide on what to prep and expect to make the most of it all. A working professional needs a working wardrobe, and if nothing else, this is a great excuse for some guilt-free shopping! Think about what the recruiters or your future colleagues were wearing when you went for your interview, and try to plan your outfits accordingly. As a general rule, it is probably best to verge more on the formal side for the first day. If everyone is strolling around in shorts and flip flops when you get there, then you can join in the next day – but it does not work the other way around!
Go shopping
Plan your commute to give yourself plenty of time, so you do not arrive late and flustered. Tell yourself that your employer would not have offered you the job if they did not have confidence that you can do it. Be friendly and approachable. First impressions do count for a great deal, but it is not all about that. Being helpful, approachable, and taking time to get to know your colleagues will build the foundations for a good working environment. Remember, no one will mind if you are a bit nervous to start off with. After all, even your new company’s CEO can probably still remember his own “first day on-the-job” experience!
Your first day
Listening more than you speak is a good way to learn. But do not be afraid to ask if you are unclear about something.
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Most employers will have an induction programme for new recruits to help them settle in and to learn about the job and the company. This is usually a series of meetings ranging from orientation sessions to practical training. If you are part of a large intake of new starters (e.g. on a formal graduate scheme), there will likely be social activities organised too. Many organisations will allocate you a mentor who will oversee your progress at the company, both in a professional and personal way; they are the person to turn to if you have any worries or concerns. Also, try to get a feel for your organisation business culture. For example, how formally do people speak to each other? Take your lead from established colleagues, such as your immediate supervisor or line manager. Listening more than you speak is a good way to learn. But do not be afraid to ask if you are unclear about something. There is no shame in asking questions, and no employer is going to expect you to know everything from day one.
Settling in
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When you’re a fresh graduate, it’s common to get a big head about what you can do in a workplace. However, the reality is that you’ll be given less significant tasks which you may not necessarily like or envision yourself doing before you’re given any “real” responsibility. Many employers say that the recruits who impress them most are those who show enthusiasm, commitment and a desire to learn at every opportunity – even if that means manning the photocopier for a while. Show that you’re willing to contribute in any way possible, instead of believing that you are too clever or good for a certain role just because you have a degree.
Make an impression
Many employers say that the recruits who impress them most are those who show enthusiasm, commitment and a desire to learn at every opportunity – even if that means manning the photocopier for a while. You do not stop learning when you finish your formal education. In fact, in many ways, this is where the real “learning” for the rest of your life starts! If you are on a formal graduate scheme, you will be expected to follow a structured training programme that will prepare you for the next level in the organisation. But even if that is not the case, any good employer is going to fit some form of training and development into working life. You may come across the concept of continuing professional development (CPD). This describes any activity, whether a formal course or personal study, that helps you do your job better and get on faster in your career. In some sectors this will mean professional qualifications, while in others it could be short training courses and postgraduate study. Use whatever resources are available to develop your skills. Most graduates no longer expect a “job for life”. Career-savvy graduates will always look out for opportunities to keep learning and adding on to what they can offer both their current and future employers.
Lifelong learning
Being helpful, approachable, and taking time to get to know your colleagues will build the foundations for a good working environment.
Do your job
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OK, it may be stating the obvious, but make sure you know what is expected of you. If you are worried or unsure about any particular aspects of your work, do not be afraid to talk things over with your supervisors or your boss. If you are given deadlines, make sure that you meet them. Get to know the organisational structure, the relationship of your job to others, and the company culture. Do your best to start working without direct supervision as soon as possible. After all, when all is said and done, the best way to establish yourself in a new job is simply to do your job – and to do it well. Now go out there and get on with it!
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HOW TO UPGRADE YOURSELF Lifelong learning is important to keep yourself relevant in today's fast-paced world.
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oday’s sluggish economy has made the job market even more competitive than it has been before. Many graduates who are about to hit the job market would feel the pressure of setting themselves apart from their peers who are also looking for jobs. In times like this, postgraduate education has become a popular means to give students an advantage in the job market. While it is common for students to think of a Master’s degree and a PhD when talking about postgraduate options, there are also other postgraduate qualifications available. Here’s a brief overview:
Online courses If you want to gain new skills or brush up on existing ones, short courses that are available online may be a good option. Online platforms such as LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer a myriad of short courses ranging from new language skills to specialised courses such as application development. This option may appeal to graduates who are looking to be more competitive in the job market. Having a new skill will not only impress your prospective employers, it may also help you meet certain technical requirements for a role that you’re interested in.
SkillsFuture The Singapore government has rolled out the SkillFuture initiative with an aim to encourage lifelong learning. It is an initiative that includes subsidies for courses, study awards and fellowships not just for graduates, but also mid-career professionals. With these extensive monetary incentives and aid, students can upgrade their skills without having to break the bank.
Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) With the aim to enhance professionalism of the workforce in Singapore, the WSQ system trains, develops, evaluates and certifies skills that are validated by employers, unions and professional bodies. The WSQ framework covers a wide range of sectors, offering training in both technical and soft skills that can help graduates boost their employability. The training modules provided by WSQ are bite-sized, making it easier for individuals to learn at their own pace
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University of Birmingham
SIM GE Postgraduate courses If your aim is to acquire more in-depth knowledge in a certain field, a conventional postgraduate course such as a Master’s degree may be a better option for you. For students who are looking to take on postgraduate education abroad, here are two partner universities of SIM GE for you to consider:
The University of Warwick The University of Warwick is one of UK’s leading research universities, with an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research and teaching, for innovation and for links with business and industry.
University of Birmingham, founded in 1900, is one of the largest in the UK, offering degrees across a wide range of disciplines. It is a major centre of research and academic study with an established international reputation for excellence with 11 Nobel Prize winners among its staff and alumni. • Gold-rated university for outstanding teaching and learning in the UK (Teaching Excellence Framework 2017 – 2020) • One of the top 10 UK universities for graduate employability (Global University Employability Ranking 2017) • A member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 UK research-intensive universities Birmingham Business School, a triple-crown accredited school by AACSB International, AMBA, and EQUIS, offers a range of Master of Science (MSc) full-time programmes in SIM, Singapore campus. • MSc (Economics)
• Ranked 54th in QS World University Rankings 2019
• MSc International Business
• Top 10 of UK league tables (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018/The Guardian University League Table 2019)
• MSc Management (with specialisms in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Organisational Leadership and Change, and Strategy)
• A member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 UK research-intensive universities • WMG, an academic department of the University of Warwick, is a leading multidisciplinary group making a real impact on industry, companies, and organisations through collaborative R&D. WMG provides training to over 2,200 postgraduates, in the UK and through centres in China, Thailand, Cyprus, Turkey, Malaysia and Singapore.
WMG offers a range of Master of Science (MSc) full-time and part-time programmes in SIM, Singapore campus. • MSc in Cyber Security and Management • MSc in Engineering Business Management • MSc in Programme and Project Management • MSc in Supply Chain and Logistics Management "The University lecturers are amazing! They have their own teaching methodologies to keep us constantly hooked on the subject matter. The knowledge is relevant and applicable, putting me through different perspectives on how I could contribute my best in work." Anand Menon MSc in Supply Chain and Logistics Management (2017 intake) Procurement Executive, New Medical Centre (NMC), UAE
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"The Birmingham faculty encouraged practical learning through group discussions which has given me a chance to challenge myself in terms of academia." Gabriel Teng MSc in Economics (Graduate, 2017 Intake) "Joining the programme was by word-of-mouth recommendation. The curriculum, especially the entrepreneurship modules, were intellectually stimulating, and focused on developing my individual skills and teamwork dynamics." Linda Wang MSc Management: Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2017 Intake) "This programme challenges students to think outside the box, critically evaluate existing business practices to innovate new ideas and propositions in the current business setting. I am ecstatic to have made new friends from different countries and cultures on this learning journey." Posathorn Sirivat MSc in International Business (2017 Intake)
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JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS Leading employers with vacancies and internships who want to hear from you.
Employers Asia Hospitality........................................................................................... 99 Bay Hotel..................................................................................................... 99 BDO LLP............................................................................................[IFC] 100 Bim Engineering....................................................................................... 100 Central Provident Fund (CPF)........................................................[IBC] 101 Dentsu Aegis............................................................................................. 100 Four Seasons.............................................................................................101 Great Eastern................................................................................... [61] 102 Hong Leong Bank..................................................................................... 104 Kerry Logistics......................................................................................... 104 KordaMentha............................................................................................ 104 Kuehne & Nagel........................................................................................ 104 Lippo Karawaci......................................................................................... 105 Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).......................................................[1] 105 Mudajaya................................................................................................... 105 Rhenus Logistics...................................................................................... 106 Scoot..................................................................................................[69] 107 Singapore Airlines (SIA).................................................................. [98] 107 Siemens Malaysia.................................................................................... 106 SMRT.......................................................................................................... 106 Singapore Police Force (SPF).................................................................. 108 SP Setia...................................................................................................... 108 TMF Group................................................................................................. 108 Urban Fox.................................................................................................. 108 [ ] = advertisement; IFC = inside front cover; OBC = outside back cover; IBC = inside back cover
ASIAHOSPITALITYCAREERS.COM TEL +(65) 6286 7988
BAY HOTEL & RESORT PTE LTD
WEB www.asiahospitalitycareers.com
EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES enquiries@asiahospitalitycareers.com
50 Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 098828 TEL +(65) 6818 6670 EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES hr@bayhotelsingapore.com
LOCATION
LOCATION
Singapore – East BUSINESS FACTS
Launched in 2017, AsiaHospitalityCareers.com is the first hospitality career site dedicated to Asia’s hospitality industry. We believe the true beauty of the hospitality industry is its people. We understand that choosing a career in hospitality is more than just a job, it’s about the journey, the fun and the deserved respect to dedicate a career to making people happy. We want to be a part of their journey by building a “FUN”ctional career site, showcasing the awesomeness of hospitality careers. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences
CAREER SECTORS
• Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel • HR and Recruitment
• Singapore – Central • International – Vietnam
BUSINESS FACTS
Bay Hotel Singapore is a four-star hotel located on the Telok Blangah heritage site, with easy access to Sentosa as well as the CBD area. With a view towards creating a different and dedicated guest experience, we invite you to join our fun, robust and energetic team to kick-start an exciting career in an empowering and family-like culture. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Business Administration • Hospitality • Property and Built Environment
CAREER SECTORS
• Healthcare • Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Send your updated résumé to hr@bayhotelsingapore.com with your last drawn and expected salary. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Register a job seeker account via www.asiahospitalitycareers.com and start applying now!
www.simge.edu.sg
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BDO LLP
600 North Bridge Road, #23-01, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778 TEL + [65] 6828 9118 WEB www.bdo.com.sg EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES career@bdo.com.sg LOCATION
• Singapore – Bugis • International
BUSINESS FACTS
Established in 1972 and a member firm of BDO International since 1979, we offer a full range of services including audit, corporate finance, business restructuring, tax advisory, management consulting and risk advisory. Our clients are from various fields of business in Singapore and include subsidiaries of multinational corporations, public and private companies operating in diverse industries. Our optimal size enables us to provide the full range of world-class services. It also allows clients to benefit from our breadth and depth of expertise as the world’s 5th largest accounting network. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences
CAREER SECTORS
• Accountancy and Financial Management • IT and Technology • Management and Business • Management Consulting
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Please send your detailed résumé and a recent photograph to career@ bdo.com.sg.
BIM ENGINEERING SOLUTION AND TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD
No. 19, Jalan Meranti Permai 3, Meranti Permai Industries Park, Batu 15, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor. TEL +603-8061 2888 EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES ongbh@sudutswasta.com.my LOCATION International – Malaysia BUSINESS FACTS
BIM Engineering Solution and Technology Sdn Bhd (BEST) (formerly known as Ply Tec Consulting Engineering Sdn Bhd) was incorporated in Jan 2013 to provide value added engineering services with integration of digital smart technologies. Type of services rendered: • Value engineering design for civil, structural, mechanical and electrical services. • Building information modeling (BIM) of IBS system framework, precast and cast in situ concrete structure, steel structure frame, mechanical and electrical services. • Production accuracy (LOD 400) BIM modeling complete with steel car and structure element optimisation. • Integrated BIM coordination among all engineering services for effective space management. • Hand-holding on-job training for project implementation. • Training and certification for digital smart BIM technologist. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Engineering • IT & Computer Sciences
CAREER SECTORS
Construction and Building Services APPLICATION PROCEDURE
DENTSU AEGIS NETWORK
1 Wallich Street, #22-01 Guoco Tower, Singapore 078881 TEL + [65] 6911 9400 WEB dentsuaegis.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/DAN_GLOBAL EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES hrsin@dentsuaegis.com LOCATION
Singapore – Central
BUSINESS FACTS
Dentsu Aegis Network helps clients build consumer relationships by communicating their products and brands effectively. Our distinctive and innovative range of products and services include marketing and communications strategies through digital creative execution, media planning and buying, mobile applications, SEO, content creation, brand tracking and marketing analytics. We provide best-in-class expertise and capabilities in brand, media and digital. We offer the opportunity to work in a fun and fast paced multinational agency network. Gain valuable experience and exposure to the creative and diverse world of advertising and communications! DEGREE DISCIPLINE
Accounting, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Humanities, Art & Social Sciences, IT and Computer Sciences, Maths, Sciences. CAREER SECTORS
• IT and Technology • Marketing, Advertising, and PR • Media, Journalism, and Publishing
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
• For internships: Send your CV and/or portfolio to hrsin@dentsuaegis.com • For full-time opportunities: Check out our career website and/or LinkedIn page.
Kindly email your resume to ongbh@sudutswasta.com.my
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www.simge.edu.sg
CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND BOARD
238A Thomson Road, Novena Square, Singapore 307684 WEB www.cpf.gov.sg/careers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES hr@cpf.gov.sg LOCATION
Singapore – Central BUSINESS FACTS
We serve more than 3.8 million Singaporeans, safeguarding our members’ savings and helping them to meet their retirement, healthcare and home ownership needs. Our CPF schemes touch our CPF members across the various life stages, and we serve CPF members knowing that we are making a difference. As long as you have the passion and commitment to serve the public, you will find your niche in our big family consisting of more than 50 departments in the following job families: Agency Services, Customer Service, Enforcement, Information Technology, Management of CPF schemes, Policy and Corporate Development. We believe in your potential, and the CPFB Academy will help you grow professionally in your career with us. We care for you and your family, and our warm and friendly culture will make you feel right at home.
• Engineering • Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences • IT and Computer Sciences • Law • Maths • Property and Built Environment • Sciences • Social Work • Teaching and Education CAREER SECTORS
Public Service
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Apply online at www.cpf.gov.sg/careers. Shortlisted applicants will be notified.
DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SINGAPORE
190 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248646 TEL + [65] 6831 7450 WEB jobs.fourseasons.com EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES jobs.fssingapore@fourseasons.com LOCATION
Singapore – Central
The best graduate jobs and internships from top employers!
BUSINESS FACTS
A luxury hotel in Singapore that escapes into a quiet garden enclave in the heart of the city – steps from Orchard Road shops and entertainment, and just minutes from the financial district. Enter a world that is intimate and exclusive, yet complete in every way, with award-winning dining and 24-hour fitness. A warm, residential ambience showcases over 1,500 Asian art pieces, and thoughtful Four Seasons care elevates every moment.
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Career advice on getting into top graduate professions!
DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration
CAREER SECTORS
• Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel
GRADsingapore
@gradsingapore
apply today
Exclusive employer information and expert tips on what they look for!
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Email to jobs.fssingapore@fourseasons.com
Sign up at www.gradsingapore.com or simply search gradsingapore
www.simge.edu.sg
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JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
GREAT EASTERN LIFE ASSURANCE
1 Pickering St, Singapore 048659
WEB http://gradsingapore.com/graduate-employers/great-eastern-life-assurance-company-limited EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES career@greateasternlife.com LOCATION
• Singapore – Central, East, West • International - Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia
BUSINESS FACTS
For over a century, Great Eastern has been at the forefront of Asia's insurance industry, providing financial security and peace of mind to millions. A trusted brand, we continue to grow from strength to strength in an ever-changing increasingly competitive landscape. Great Eastern is a subsidiary of OCBC Bank, the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. We are proud to have consistently achieved strong financial performance, and delivered value to our shareholders and customer service excellence to our policyholders. With our core values of integrity, initiative and involvement in the way we manage our business, we believe that everyone can enjoy a better quality of life as a result of sound financial planning. We also believe that leading a healthy lifestyle and cultivating meaningful relationships with family and friends are essential for a fulfilling life. DEGREE DISCIPLINE Accounting, Economics. Engineering, Finance, Maths. CAREER SECTORS Accountancy and Financial Management, Financial Services and Insurance, Management and Business, Sales. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Financial Planner • Step 1: Introductory interview • Step 2: Recruitment seminar • Step 3: Candidate profiling • Step 4: In-depth interview • Step 5: Licensing application Corporate New Hire • Step 1: Online application • Step 2: Interview
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE NAME: Tan Jun Lip Darren DEGREE: Bachelor of Science (Data Science and Business Analytics), SIM UOL, 2021 ROLE: Financial Planner EMPLOYER: Great Eastern Life MY JOB I am a financial planner and my job requires me to interact with people. Most importantly, my job allows me to give financial advice, assisting my clients to manage their finances. HOW I GOT MY JOB Despite my family being in this industry, I did not fully comprehend the importance of financial planning initially. After my National Service, I worked at a café but did not feel that it provided any valueadding opportunities. Thus, I decided to join “The Great Internship” to gain some experiences and financial paper qualifications which could help me enter into the banking industry. However, during the 10-week programme, I realised that the impact from a financial planner is more immediate compared to that of a banker. That is, before even building your assets, we must first protect our most important asset – ourselves. THE HIGHS AND LOWS Some of the best moments are when someone turns to you for financial advice; when a client thanks you for your honest and sincere advice; and when you receive claims settlements and are able to pass them personally to your clients when they are at
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one of their lowest points in life. It is when your clients trust you wholeheartedly to craft a financial contingency plan for them to continue with their lives. These small little things are what make my job so fulfilling. On the other hand, one of the biggest struggles is knowing that you will constantly face objections and rejections from potential clients. It is also inevitable that your friends would question your friendship with them and your motives. SOME ADVICE Having to juggle between school and work, you will also learn the importance of time management. This is a career that will literally put you through many life journeys, push you to your limits from the countless rejections and constantly improving your soft-skills. However, always remember, it is only with struggles that you can have a breakthrough.
"This is a career that will literally put you through many life journeys, push you to your limits from the countless rejections and constantly improving your soft skills."
www.simge.edu.sg
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JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
HL BANK
1 Wallich Street, #29-01 Guoco Tower, Singapore 078881 TEL +(65) 6349 8338
WEB https://www.hlbank.com.sg
EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES hr1@hlbank.com.sg LOCATION
Singapore – Central International – Malaysia (HQ), Cambodia, Vietnam & Hong Kong BUSINESS FACTS
Hong Leong Bank Berhad (HLBB) is one of the leading financial services organisations in Malaysia. With a heritage of more than 100 years, it provides comprehensive financial services covering consumer banking, business banking and trade finance, treasury, branch and transaction banking, wealth management, private banking and Islamic financial services. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, IT & Computer Sciences, Law, Maths
CAREER SECTORS
• Accountancy and Financial Management • Financial Services and Insurance • IT & Technology
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Interested candidates may submit their resume to:• Singapore: hr1@hlbank.com.sg • Malaysia: Talent@hlbb.hongleong.com.my
KORDAMENTHA
16 Collyer Quay, #30-01, Singapore 049318 TEL + [65] 6593 9333 WEB www.kordamentha.com/gradcareers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES recruitment@kordamentha.com LOCATION
Singapore – Central
BUSINESS FACTS
KordaMentha is an advisory and investment firm that helps clients to grow, protect and recover value. They have a team of almost 400 specialists across Asia-Pacific with diverse backgrounds – in finance and real estate through to agriculture, law enforcement and the c-suite. Specialists who combine their unique skills and experiences to deliver fresh solutions to the region’s most complex commercial challenges. The Singapore office is looking for graduates and interns to join the team, working across the Restructuring and Forensic teams. They offer a flexible, dynamic and team oriented environment, with ongoing learning opportunities through the KordaMentha Business School and the opportunity to work with and learn from the best in the business. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Finance • IT & Computer Sciences
CAREER SECTORS
Accountancy and Financial Management.
Head to kordamentha.com/gradcareers and follow the steps to apply, submitting a cover letter, résumé and a copy of your academic transcript. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
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KERRY LOGISTICS
Kerry Logistics Centre - Tampines, 19 Greenwich Drive, Level 7 Office Tower, Singapore 534021 TEL + [65] 6229 3967 WEB www.kerrylogistics.com/our-company/career/ EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES sg.hr@kerrylogistics.com LOCATION
• Singapore – North East • International – USA, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, CIS and Asia
BUSINESS FACTS
At Kerry Logistics, we place great importance on attracting and retaining high-quality staff, and are committed to nurturing individual careers. We believe in value creation for our employees; openness that gives consideration to all input; integrity to keep standards high and quality consistent; commitment to facing challenges together; and excellence in teamwork, innovation and improving our services. Diversity is our strength, so whatever your background, we welcome you to join Kerry Logistics and grow with us. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance
CAREER SECTORS Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Available positions will be posted on our recruitment website. Candidates will be able to apply online or send in enquiries on our internship program at sg.hr@kerrylogistics.com
KUEHNE + NAGEL PTE LTD
10 Pioneer Crescent, Singapore 628566 WEB www.kn-portal.com/about_us/careers LOCATION
• Singapore – West • International – Europe, South Asia Pacific, North Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa
BUSINESS FACTS
At Kuehne + Nagel, we believe in investing in our leaders of tomorrow as they are the keys to our continued success. We are committed to give our employees the opportunity to learn and develop; to grow and perform their fullest potential within a global environment. With 79,000 employees and 1,300 offices in over 100 countries, we are one of the world’s leading logistics providers. We are the global market leader in Sea Freight forwarding and top 2 globally for Air Freight, Contract Logistics and Integrated Logistics. Our global logistics network, cutting-edge IT systems, in-house expertise and excellent customer service are proof of our dedication to be the market leader. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Humanities, Art and Social Sciences, IT and Computer Sciences, Sciences. CAREER SECTORS
Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested candidates may submit their résumé, cover letter and any letter of recommendations on https://external.kuehne-nagel.careers
www.simge.edu.sg
JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
LIPPO KARAWACI
MUDAJAYA CORPORATION BERHAD
LOCATION
LOCATION
BUSINESS FACTS
BUSINESS FACTS
7 Boulevard Palem Raya, #22-00 Menara Matahari, Lippo Karawaci Central, Tangerang 15811 TEL +(62) 21 2566 9000 Fax: +(62) 21 2566 9098/99 WEB www.lippokarawaci.co.id/Careers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES recruitment@lippokarawaci.co.id Jakarta, Indonesia Lippo Karawaci is the largest diversified public listed property company in Indonesia in terms of total assets and revenues. Our current developments include residential, commercial, hospital and retail properties, and light industrial areas in and around Jakarta, Medan, Palembang, Makassar and Manado. We have the Management Development Programme (MDP) and Management Trainee Programme (MTP) for outstanding graduates to be our leaders of tomorrow to sustain business continuity. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, Hospitality, Hospital Management, Information Technology, Management, Medical Science & Healthcare, Sales & Marketing. *Open to Indonesian citizens only. CAREER SECTORS
Civil and Structural and Engineering Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality and Leisure, Investment, Property and Real Estate, Retail and Merchandising. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please send your résumé to recruitment@lippokarawaci.co.id or visit the Lippo Career website: www.lippokarawaci.co.id/Careers.
Menara Mudajaya, No.12A, Jalan PJU7/3, Mutiara Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan TEL 03- 7806 7899 WEB http://www.mudajaya.com/career/ EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES info@mudajaya.com International – Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Mudajaya’s main projects include large infrastructure construction, power installations, and transportation system, which are National Key Economic Areas (NKEA), with significant social and economic impacts for Malaysia. Our people are the valuable machinery behind our growth. We believe that organisations can perform their best, if their people are given sufficient opportunities to tap on their full potential. We promote productivity of our employees, by the virtue of improving levels of motivation through employees’ welfare and well-being. At Mudajaya, we encourage continuous learning and development for improving productivity as well as to keep employees equipped with new emerging skills and technologies. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
Accounting, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, IT & Computer Sciences, Property & Built Environment CAREER SECTORS
Civil and Structural Engineering, Construction and Building Services, Engineering, Property and Real Estate APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested candidates please submit a detailed resume stating current and expected salary, a passport-sized photograph and contact number to hr@mudajaya.com
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329560 WEB www.mha.gov.sg/careers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES MHA_HTSC@mha.gov.sg LOCATION
Singapore
BUSINESS FACTS
The Home Team is the umbrella of different agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is a community forged by more than 23,000 members who come together to track Singapore’s growth and play an integral role in ensuring the safety and security of the country. The Home Team is currently welcoming individuals to fill the positions of Civilian Officer and Uniformed Officer. The Home Team offers rewarding and challenging careers to talented individuals seeking a leadership role in keeping Singapore safe and secure. As a Home Team officer, you will share a common mission and have unique opportunities to be involved in challenging security issues that the nation encounters. You will play a pivotal role in executing law initiatives for the betterment of the general community and your loved ones. The Home Team is committed to developing and honing your leadership potential. You will be put in charge of complex assignments and be exposed to a diverse range of career opportunities and experiences conducive to professional and personal growth. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
All disciplines
CAREER SECTORS
Public Service
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Step 1: Online applications Step 2: Shortlisted applicants will be notified. Online applications at Careers@Gov. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified. APPLICATION PERIODS
Graduate jobs: Home Affairs Uniformed Services Officer, Home Affairs Services Officer, Home Affairs Senior Executive, Home Team Specialist Officer, Commercial Affairs Officer. Applications are accepted year-round. Internships: Ministry of Home Affairs participates in the Internships@Gov Programme organised by Public Service Division. Please refer to www.careers.gov.sg/ internships@gov to find out more about the programme.
www.simge.edu.sg
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JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
RHENUS LOGISTICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD
SIEMENS MALAYSIA SDN BHD
LOCATION
LOCATION
17 Changi Business Park Central 1, #05-01, Honeywell Building, Singapore 486073 TEL +(65) 6709 0500 EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES recruitment@ap.rhenus.com
• Singapore – East • International – Asia-Pacific
BUSINESS FACTS
Have you worked out the logistics of your career yet? You will at Rhenus. The Rhenus Group is a global logistics service provider with an annual turnover of 4.8 billion, operating in more than 610 locations around the world and employing more than 29,000 people. The Rhenus business areas – Contract Logistics, Freight Logistics, Port Logistics and Public Transport – manage complex supply chains and create wealth by means of innovative value-added services. We are able to provide you with all the tools you need to pursue your chosen career. Flat hierarchies, short decision-making processes and a friendly working environment – we ensure everyone is on an equal footing. Moreover, you are given all the opportunities and space you need to further develop your skills and turn your ideas into reality. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
All disciplines
No 11, Jalan 16/11, Pusat Dagang Seksyen 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor TEL +(603) 7952 5034 WEB www.siemens.com.my/jobs-careers/ EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES hr_recruitment.my@siemens.com
International – Malaysia (Petaling Jaya) BUSINESS FACTS
We are Siemens. We are made up of 351,000 of the world’s smartest minds. We create innovations that matter, and champion the people who make them happen. It’s the people who make our company, not the other way around. So we give everyone a voice. We don’t shout about things. Our actions speak loudly enough. We share our ideas and talk about what’s coming next, because we’re making the future, and we invite you to join us. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Engineering
CAREER SECTOR
Engineering
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
You may check out the available positions at our career page. Simply click ‘Apply Now’ to apply for the role that you are interested in.
CAREER SECTOR
Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Submit your CV to recruitment@ap.rhenus.com
SMRT CORPORATION LTD
251 North Bridge Road WEB www.smrt.com.sg/Join-us LOCATION
Singapore
BUSINESS FACTS
SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT Corp) is a public transport services provider. Our primary business is to manage and operate train services on the North-South Line, East-West Line, the Circle Line, the Thomson East-Coast Line (operational in 2019) and the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit. This is complemented by our bus, taxi and private hire vehicle services. We believe in Integrity, Service and Excellence, and commit SMRT to providing safe, reliable and comfortable service for our commuters. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences • Law
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CAREER SECTORS
• Construction and Civil Engineering • Engineering, Design and Manufacturing • IT and Technology • Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain • Media and Advertising
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
For general openings: • Step 1: Online application • Step 2: Interview For SMRT Engineering and Management Associate (EMA) Programme: • Step 1: Online application (graduates@smrt.com.sg) • Step 2: Online test • Step 3: Assessment centre • Step 4: Final interview
www.simge.edu.sg
JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
SCOOT TIGERAIR PTE LTD
65 Airport Boulevard, Changi Airport Terminal 3, #B1-17, Singapore 819663 TEL + [65] 6715 1450 WEB www.flyscoot.com/career EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES NoMondayBlues@flyscoot.com LOCATION
• Singapore – East • International – Scoot Network!
BUSINESS FACTS
Scoot™ is the low-cost, medium-to-long haul arm of the Singapore Airlines Group. Scoot took to the skies in June 2012 and merged with Tigerair Singapore in July 2017, retaining the Scoot brand and positioning it well for a new chapter of growth. We want people with big smiles and even bigger personalities. People with passion—passion for travel, passion for people, passion for pushing boundaries. An airline with a different attitude. People with a different attitude. Scootitude™. If you think you have Scootitude and can handle the excitement and challenges ahead to grow with us, apply today! Receive information about vacancies and recruitment from Scoot Careers Facebook Page – "GOT Scootitude?"
DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences
CAREER SECTORS
• Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel • Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Submit your application here: • flyscoot.com/ScootPilots • flyscoot.com/ScootCabinCrew • flyscoot.com/ScootCareer
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
WEB www.singaporeair.com/careers BUSINESS FACTS
Singapore Airlines has evolved into one of the most respected travel brands around the world, with the Singapore Girl as the symbol of quality customer care and service. Our aircraft fleet is one of the world’s youngest and our network spans across five continents. Our success has been made possible through the efforts of our people. We recruit bright and dynamic individuals, and train them to reach the highest standards of professional and personal competence. SIA has many roles to suit different interests and strengths: SIA EXECUTIVES PROGRAMME (SEP): An opportunity to explore leadership capabilities, the programme will give you an overview of the aviation industry with exposure to key areas of our business. GROUND PROFESSIONALS: Join us in specific ground positions including Accountant, IT Applications Domain Expert, Technical Services Engineer, Business/Data Analyst etc. TRAINEE STATION MANAGER: Be posted to one of SIA’s many overseas stations, to manage all aspects of the airline’s overseas operations including customer service, baggage and cargo handling, inflight catering, ground safety and crisis management. CABIN CREW: If you are customer-orientated and a team player, we welcome you to join our cabin crew family. Undergo 3.5 months of training before commencing flying duties. PILOTS: Start off as an Ab-initio Cadet Pilot and undergo rigorous in-house training or join us as a Direct Entry Second or First Officer and fly one of the most modern fleets in the sky. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
Please visit singaporeair.com/careers for the degree discipline required for the various positions. CAREER SECTORS
• Engineering, Design and Manufacturing • Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel • Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Apply online at singaporeair.com/careers
www.simge.edu.sg
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JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE (SPF)
Home Team Career Centre, 178 Neil Road, Singapore 088889 TEL 1800-352-0000 WEB www.police.gov.sg/career EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES spf_career@spf.gov.sg LOCATION
Singapore
BUSINESS FACTS
As a Direct-Entry Inspector, you will play a major role in ensuring Singapore’s safety and security. You will prevent, deter, and detect crime through leading investigations and be involved in community policing, as well as operations and organisational management. A career with the SPF is challenging, and your potential as a professional enforcer of the law will be developed to overcome such challenges. You are required to undergo a 9-month basic residential training programme at the Home Team Academy. This course equips officers with the knowledge and skills to perform their duties and consist of both physical and classroom training – from police defensive tactics and weaponry to leadership skills. Direct-Entry Inspectors can also look forward to regular job rotation that offers opportunities to explore various roles within the SPF. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
All disciplines
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Apply online at Careers@Gov. For more information on the Internships@Gov programme and the application process, please visit www.careers.gov.sg/ internships@gov or email internships@psd.gov.sg for enquiries.
S P SETIA BERHAD
S P Setia Bhd Corporate HQ, No 12, Persiaran Setia Dagang, Setia Alam, Seksyen U13, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor TEL +(603) 3348 2255 WEB spsetia.com.my/corporate/why-join-us.asp EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES recruitment@spsetia.com LOCATION
• Singapore – North, West • International – Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam, United Kingdom & China
BUSINESS FACTS
S P Setia, incorporated in 1974, has grown to become one of the leading property developers in Malaysia with extensive portfolio ranging from townships to eco-developments, luxury homes, high-rise residence, retail and commercial, integrated developments and hospitality. It has spread its wings to Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, UK and China. In Aug 2018, we bagged the "Aon Best Employer" award for the 9th time. Our culture focuses on strong teamwork and every employee is inducted into a culture of excellence from their first day of work, which is tied to the company vision “To be the best in all we do”. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
• Accounting • Business Administration • Engineering • Finance • Property and Built Environment
CAREER SECTORS
Property and Real Estate
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Submit your résumé via email or log on to our
corporate site.
TMF SINGAPORE H
URBANFOX PTE LTD
LOCATION
LOCATION
38 Beach Road, South Beach Tower, #29-11 Singapore 189767 TEL +(65) 6808 1600 WEB www.tmf-group.com/careers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES sgrecruit@tmf-group.com Singapore – Central, International – With operations in more than 80 countries, 120 offices worldwide. BUSINESS FACTS
27 Greenwich Drive, Annexe Building Level 2M, Singapore 533912 TEL +(65) 9187 1063 WEB www.urbanfox.asia/careers/ EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES Frederick.tan@urbanfox.asia • Singapore – East • International – Vietnam / Malaysia / Indonesia
BUSINESS FACTS
Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Humanities, Art and Social Sciences, Law.
Formerly known as Courex, a logistics startup providing business-to-consumer deliveries, UrbanFox was unveiled in 2017 after the acquisition of Courex by Keppel Logistics. Today, UrbanFox’s offerings include omnichannel logistics and multi-channel commerce, serving global brands such as Kao and Mondelez. As part of our fast-growing company, you will experience first-hand the inner workings of the logistics and e-commerce industry. You will be part of a close-knit team that excels in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Reach out to us if you are keen to help shape the future of logistics and e-commerce.
CAREER SECTORS
DEGREE DISCIPLINE
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
CAREER SECTORS
TMF Group helps its clients operate internationally and ‘belong’ wherever they are in the world. We do this by making sure they are properly set up to do business in any country and compliant with local and international regulations. We offer internship and fresh graduates opportunities in the following services: Accounting and Tax, Corporate Secretarial, HR and Payroll, Trust Services. DEGREE DISCIPLINE
Accountancy and Financial Management, Financial Services, Management and Business, Management Consulting. • CV Application: Submit your application along with your CV and cover letter to: sgrecruit@tmf-group.com with the subject header “Internship application – Accounting”. • Interview with one of our senior leaders.
• Business Administration • IT and Computer Sciences • eCommerce • IT and Technology • Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Look for your dream job at our career page (www.urbanfox.asia/careers/) and apply through the site.
108 | SIM GE CAREER GUIDE 2019
www.simge.edu.sg
SINGAPORE
AUDIT. TAX. ADVISORY.
Tailored events & opportunities
Learning & Development
We are part of the 5th largest network
Our team with exceptional experiences
A global mindset Our services • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Audit & Assurance Business Services Outsourcing Corporate Advisory Corporate Finance Corporate Secretarial Services Financial Services Group Goods & Services Tax International Tax Structuring Management Consulting Private Client Services Restructuring & Forensic Risk Advisory Talent Consultancy Technology Risk & Advisory Transfer Pricing
A variety of services Apply now If you share our values and have the skills, ability and ambition it takes to succeed here, we want to hear from you. Whether you join Assurance, Tax, Consulting or Advisory Services, you will enjoy early responsibility, rewarding challenges and exposure to a variety of businesses across a range of sectors. To explore a career path with us, please email your detailed resume and cover letter to career@bdo.com.sg
BDO LLP 600 North Bridge Road #23-0͈ Parkview Square Singapore 188778 www.bdo.com.sg BDOSingapore
BDO Singapore LLP
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