SIM Career Guide 2021

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

MCI (P) 001/12/2018

SINGAPORE

AUDIT. TAX. ADVISORY.

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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU

Inside this guide Career Connect Prepares You 2

A Message for Our Students

3

What is Project 1095?

4

Your 1095 Journey

5

How Career Connect Can Help You

8

Meet Our Team

10

Talent Development Programme (TDP)

14

360 Degree Development Programme

16

SIM EDGE Awards

20

SIM Alumni

Jobs and Internships

96

Produced by

Chief Editor Elliyani Mohamad Ali Editorial Sarah Si

Discover Your Career Options 22

Industry Insights

28

Career Champs

30

Choosing What is Best for You: MNCs, SMEs or Startups

33

Exploring Internships

46

Management Trainee Programme vs SGUnited Traineeship vs Apprenticeship

50

Project Protégé

52

Global Learning

55

Explore the World with AIESEC

How to Market Yourself to Employers 58

Managing Your Wellness for Success

60

Job Searching: The Ultimate Guide

62

Top 3 Things to Look Out for in a First Job

64

Rules of Getting Hired

66

5 Essential Soft Skills

68

Not in IT? Here are 5 Technical Skills You Still Need to Know About

70

4 Qualities Employers Look For

72

Crafting Effective Resumes

75

How to Write Effective Cover Letters

78

LinkedIn 101: How to Optimise Your Profile

80

How to Write a Professional Email

82

Dress to Win

84

Networking for Success

86

4 Types of Interviews

88

Acing Assessment Centres

90

Accepting Job Offers: Accepting and Declining

92

Preparing for Your First Day of Work

94

How to Upgrade Yourself

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Design & production Amirah Azlan, A’liah Abdul Rahim Advertising Ron Ong, Joey Ng, The GTI Media sales team Marketing & distribution Cheryl Tan, Charisse Su Publisher Isaac Hee International managing director and co-founders Adrian Wood, Mark Blythe GTI Asia Pte Ltd (Company number: 200301978M) 2 Sims Close #05-07 Gemini@Sims Singapore 387298 T+(65) 6294 6505 F +(65) 6294 1043 Printer Times Printer Pte Ltd 16 Tuas Ave 5 Singapore 639340 © GTI Asia Pte. Ltd, Jan 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means including, but not limited to, photocopying or storage in a retrieval system in any form without prior written consent of GTI. The views expressed in the articles are those of authors and their publication does not necessarily imply that such views are shared by GTI. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, or for consequential loss arising from such inaccuracies, or for any loss, direct or consequential, arising in connection with information in this publication.

*Disclaimer: Most photos were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A Message for Our Students

Dr Aaron Tan Director, Learner Advisory and Career Centre Singapore Institute of Management

A

t SIM, we are committed to our learners’ personal development and career preparation, from the very start of their journey here with us. The Learner Advisory and Career Centre (LA&CC) was set up in April 2020 to step up our support to all our learners, whether they are undergraduates, Alumni, or working adults.

We have set out to offer a full suite of services including profiling, skills gap analysis, learning pathway recommendations, job recommendations and connections to a large pool of employers. We aim to leverage job market intelligence and tap on AI-enabled state-of-the art IT platforms to offer the best career services possible to meet our learners’ needs. We also aim to offer a broad range of workshops and tools to help learners be better prepared, and add the all-important finishing touches to help them get your dream jobs.

Other than tapping on LA&CC’s services, our learners also have access to all our learning opportunities and resources offered by the other units of SIM. It is this One SIM approach that we hope will elevate their learning journey with us and to keep coming back for more. As our learners discover their own unique interests, 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, or work environment.

The world is changing rapidly and the jobs we know today may not be around tomorrow. We encourage all our learners to seize every opportunity to keep learning because learning needs to be lifelong and life wide in order to maintain your cutting edge in the midst of all these changes. I wish you every success in 2021!

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU

What is

L

ife is so much more than just books, exams and qualifications.

In SIM, 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, which equates to three years. Project 1095 seeks to tailor programmes and initiatives specifically to help each student maximise 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. Find out more at https://project1095.simge.edu.sg/

Student Development SDEV contributes to the holistic and transformative experience of students in a conducive and diverse environment for learning, cultural appreciation, values clarification and skills development.

A passionate and multidisciplinary team of staff co-create a space where social awareness, civility, empathy, and a strong zest for education beyond the classroom converge.

Learner Advisory and Career Centre Career Connect aims to develop career competitive edges in students, help them build industry networking and professional connections and streamline their career aspirations. This is achieved through career guidance, internships and job opportunities, career workshops and career events.

Find out more about these opportunities on UNICORN at http://qrco.de/sim-unicorn

Centre for Micro-Credentials The Centre for Micro-Credentials offers short courses with micro-credentials and badging to add value to students’ learning profiles and workplace readiness. These bite-size courses are industry specific and address the skills gap emerging within and across industries brought about by technological disruptions.

The Digital Badges added to a student’s professional online profiles or digital resumes will also provide verification of a student’s competency in the specified areas.

Student Learning Centre

Global Learning The Office of Global Learning provides students with a wide array of summer abroad programmes, study trips, workshops and on-campus activities as a platform for personal training in global competence.

Take the opportunity to develop your global competence, see the world as your neighbour, discover your global responsibility, learn who you are outside your culture and bring the world to SIM!

www.sim.edu.sg

SIM Student Learning Centre is a one-stop learning platform where students can seek academic assistance for their studies.

The Student Learning Centre runs various programmes and workshops which helps our students equip themselves with relevant skills and knowledge.

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Your

Journey

1. Discovery

2. Development

The key to growth lies in the discovery stage. Discovery encompasses a blend of self-discovery, as well as awareness of the market.

Build on your strengths and navigate your weaknesses.

As you learn more about yourself and the world around you, you will be better equipped to find your footing and have confidence in pursuing your aspirations.

Now that you have good knowledge about yourself, and can feel the pulse of the industries, it is time to identify areas of development and answer to the requirements of the working world. Learn a new skill, develop and demonstrate strong attributes in yourself.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What are the skills required for my aspired career choice?

• 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 do I find my “sweet spot”?

• How do I get there?

Questions to ask yourself: • What are employers looking out for?

• How do I make myself known?

• How do I hone and develop these skills?

3. 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 while anxiety may begin to creep in. Let us be with you during this finishing lap.

Questions to ask yourself: • 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 “blind spot” that I should be aware of?

• Where can I find opportunities?

• Is there a strategy in job hunting?

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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How Career Connect Can Help You

A

re you still unsure of your future, especially in today’s situation? COVID-19 reached Singapore’s shores in 2020 and quickly showed that the job market was not ready for it when unemployment rates hit an all-time high of 2.9 per cent in Q2 2020. The ratio of job vacancies to unemployed people fell to 0.57 in June 2020, which suggested that less than six vacancies were available to every 10 unemployed people.

In today’s competitive job market, developing your competitive edge is essential and no longer an option.

As Singapore’s economy is predicted to further contract, workplace and employers’ priorities will change. Skills that companies will look for in potential employees will be different from pre-pandemic times.

In such an abysmal job market, it is crucial that future graduates stay relevant in fields which they wish to pursue, as this will increase their employability when the storm passes. Read on to find out how Career Connect supports SIM students develop skills, acquire professional experiences and gain a foothold in the job market!

Young Graduate Career Forum

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Career Guidance

Learning Journey to Shopee

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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 themselves for the dynamic working world.

With virtual working and hiring practises having become the norm, our initiatives now extend past coaching future graduates on polishing their resumes, to virtually acing their job interviews and improving their personal branding to stay relevant through this global pandemic.

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:

MBTI Profiling Session

• Networking Skills • Resume and Cover Letter Writing Skills • Interview skills and Assessment Centre • Professional Image and Personal Branding • Communications and Presentation Skills • Problem-Solving Skills • Managing of Personal Finance • Profiling: Understanding of Self and Suitable Career Paths To further support students in the developing their skills, Career Connect also organises many skills-based workshops at a discounted rate such as: • Digital Marketing and Digital Sales • UX/UI • Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence • Industry Masterclass Project Experiences

Learning Journey to AON Consulting

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Career Talk – Trailing the Banking Path

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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU

Building Bridges – Networking and Professional Connections Career Connect held our first ever Virtual Career Fair – IGNITE in September and October, for students to look for job and internship opportunities. They had the opportunity to network with more than 30 employers from various industries, such as Singtel, Shopee, DBS and the Singapore Police Force.

Events and professional workshops conducted by Career Connect has also helped to open doors to better opportunities in this trying time, and has encouraged students to feel more positive about their employment prospects.

At Career Connect, we provide students the support to be agile, flexible and lean in today’s climate!

IGNITE Virtual Career and Internship Fair

Learning Journey to OneConnect Financial Technology

Learning Journey to Kuehne + Nagel

Career Talk – Uniqlo

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Meet Our Team A message from the team The mission of SIM Learner Advisory and Career Centre is to empower students and alumni to confidently navigate their careers as citizens of a global world. We are committed to supporting 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: • For Employers: employerengage@sim.edu.sg • For Alumni: gealumni@sim.edu.sg • For Scholarships Enquiries: scholarship@sim.edu.sg • For Bursaries Enquiries: bursary@sim.edu.sg • For Internship Enquiries: intern@sim.edu.sg • General Career-Related Enquiries: careerconnect@sim.edu.sg

Career Guidance We create purposeful and engaging career preparation experiences that contribute to learners’ development and enhance their employability. We aim to allow our learners to develop appropriate career-ready skills to best leverage on their career opportunities.

These are achieved through career guidance, profiling sessions, resume reviews and mock interviews. Relevant career preparation workshops are also organised to help students gain a practical understanding and equip them with relevant skills for the working world.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

Employer Engagement We establish strategic partnerships with corporates and enterprises for long-term and valued propositions that enhance employability and employment of learners, using analytical approaches that map learner career development with company employment lifecycle for internships and placements.

We offer platforms such as our Career and Internship Fair, as well as company talks and visits for employers and students to network and seek the right talents from our student pool.

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.

Research We organise and execute surveys to obtain data on graduate employability, alumni career progress, and employers’ feedback to monitor learner outcome. We analyse data and present information that inform development of strategies for continuous improvement in the learner experience. We also monitor and gather job market intelligence to inform career guidance and advisory to learners and employers.

Scholarship and Busaries Admin We recognise the academic achievements of our learners by awarding scholarships and sponsorships to motivate them to strive for greater heights. Bursary programmes are awarded to learners to lower access barriers in their pursuit of higher education.

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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU

Moira Lesslar

Alumni Engagement

Senior Career Development Specialist

Career Guidance

Karen Tang

Calvin Kong

Manager

Assistant Manager

Tan Kong Soon

Jane Goh

Manager

Executive

Cheong Jia Li Programme Executive

Research

Luo Jiantong Senior Executive

Ding Qian Senior Programme Executive

Employer Engagement

Suriani Binte Jamil Research Assistant Scholarship and Busaries Admin

Albert Lim

Geraldine Woo

Senior Manager

Assistant Manager

Lucy Low

Ratna Juita

Senior Executive

Executive

www.sim.edu.sg

Ong Lee Lian

Goh Lili

Assistant Manager

Executive

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Talent Development Programme

T

he Talent Development Programme (TDP) is a structured in-house internship offered by the SIM Learner Advisory & Career Centre. Launched in January 2015, TDP has seen more than 150 interns go through the programme, with many 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 our interns

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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.

Essentially, we aspire to create an enriching journey for all interns to learn, discover and hone themselves for the dynamic working world ahead. With the TDP experience, our interns have successfully secured internship and full-time jobs in many prestigious organisations such as Cognizant, UOB, Google, Singapore Airlines, PwC, National Youth Council, 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:

• Recruiting and selecting new interns;

• Carrying out marketing campaigns for the office;

• Organising and executing orientation programmes of new interns;

• Creating marketing collaterals for career initiatives;

The Business Development Cluster works closely with various stakeholders including potential work employers and Career Champs. With this engagement, the cluster serves as a bridge to value add Career Connect initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overseeing and implementing training programmes; • Planning the career development and progression of interns; • Managing the overall welfare of interns.

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• Managing Career Connect social media platforms; • Engaging SIM students with the office’s initiatives.

• Engaging with employers;

potential

• Managing and developing of Career Champs; • Planning career events, such as career talks and company visits.

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Gerald Wong Researcher (Legal and Compliance), Cobalt Recruitment Previous Role in TDP: Deputy Youth Director, Intake 12 BSc in Business and Management SIM-UOL Class of 2020

“TDP exposed me to a wide range of career services. Being in the programme allowed me to attend complimentary career workshops, as well as get involved with organising teams from various events aimed at increasing our employability, such as Career Fairs.

Because of these experiences, I picked up both tangible and intangible skills. In addition to now being adept in programmes such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, I also had the opportunity and privilege to practise and improve on my public speaking skills, along with my leadership and organisational skills. The internship instilled discipline and drive in me, and that was especially important when working remotely independently in during this global coronavirus pandemic.

I would like to advise future TDP interns to be hungry, tenacious and determined.

Use this opportunity to discover what you are good at, as well as your passion. There is no better time to start than right now.”

Chancellor Leow Credit Portfolio Trainee Analyst, DBS Bank Previous Role in TDP: Cluster Leader, Intake 12 BSc in Business and Management SIM-UOL Class of 2020

“My time with TDP has been one of the most enjoyable and fruitful takeaways from University, allowing me to gain various insights and deepen my knowledge of various professional industries.

TDP is a great opportunity to expose oneself to the reality and expectations of work. The journey may be fraught with challenges, but the skill sets, such as team management and project planning, have been nothing short of valuable. In fact, it played an instrumental role in preparing me for the working world!

Treasure the time you have in the programme and do not be afraid to move into different areas. As fresh graduates in this new landscape, my advice would be to pick up transferable skills, keep an open mind, and take advantage of every opportunity presented!”

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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Marcus Moo Graduate Analyst, Cognizant Technology Solutions Asia Pacific Pte Ltd Previous Role in TDP: Cluster Leader, Intake 14 BBus in Management SIM-RMIT Class of 2020 SIM EDGE Award Recipient

“TDP was a fruitful internship experience for me! I got to learn and work alongside like-minded, driven and motivated individuals in a very safe environment, where I had the autonomy to develop workshops and events while learning the ropes. I even had the opportunity to rotate between different functions within the business development context in driving career capital for SIM students!

I was able to delve into the marketing, logistics and operational aspects, which helped me build practical experience that came in handy even after I graduate from SIM. I was also exposed to how the corporate world works, which helped me shape my work expectations and world view.

Take this opportunity to learn and develop authentic friendships that will last a lifetime. Never be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone because it can help polish the gem in you, as a smooth sea has never made a skilful sailor.”

Sharon Lim Project Management Lead, DBS Bank Previous Role in TDP: Cluster Leader, Intake 10 BSc in Banking and Finance SIM-UOL Class of 2020

“My TDP journey was enriching as I was able to experience a variety of different job functions and boost my work competencies. I am definitely thankful for the guidance from the staff and seniors, which helped me to improve as an individual.

Besides learning more about HR, marketing and communications, I was honoured to be given the chance to lead teams and facilitate projects that honed my leadership and presentation skills. One of my greatest work achievements was creating the SIM Edge Award Handbook. It pushed me to learn new skills and allowed me to express myself creatively.

Ultimately, in our competitive work environment and especially in this pandemic, I believe that we should constantly upgrade ourselves with new skills to be employable.

My advice would be to take up the opportunities presented to you, be open-minded and have fun!”

www.sim.edu.sg

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360 Degree Development Programme

D

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 sharp professionals and employees of choice. Besides achieving academic excellence, selected student leaders should demonstrate qualities of all-rounders with leadership abilities and exemplary participation.

Participants undergo 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 guide them on career preparation techniques and career planning.

Participants of this programme have benefitted greatly thus far, and many are highly sought-after by prospective employers.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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Gwen Teh BSc in Accounting and Finance, SIM-UOL ◊ President, Hospitality, Lifestyle and Retail Career Chapter ◊ Student Ambassador ◊ Peer Mentor ◊ Finance Director, SIM Fencing Club

My role and involvement in my CCA/club/society My role and involvement with the Hospitality, Lifestyle and Retail Career Chapter (HLRCC) as well as Student Ambassador doubled the skills and experience gained.

As the President of HLRCC, I had the opportunity to reach out and interact with employers while being a Student Ambassador, and also exposed me to external parties such as prospective students and parents. Some of the events hosted include the SIM Open House, Dreams Career Fair, learning journeys, career talks and more.

Besides that, I was also a Peer Mentor as well as the Finance Director of the SIM Fencing Club. The best part of being involved in these co-curricular activities (CCAs) were making new friends and nurturing teamwork.

How the programme benefitted and better equipped me for the working world The programme provided us with many training workshops that were very beneficial in helping us prepare for our future careers while getting to know ourselves, develop soft skills and network with peers from other CCAs and programmes, who were also part of the 360°. The trainers were all very professional and all the workshops were group-oriented, which built our teamwork skills.

Tips on how to be an all-rounded student leader To be an all-rounder student leader, I think the key is time management; you have to juggle studies, CCAs, volunteering activities and much more. Be brave enough to step out of your comfort zone and make the most out of your schooling days, as these are the best days for growth. Most importantly, they also build memories for life.

Cai Yong Xin BSc in Accounting and Finance, SIM-UOL ◊ Student Ambassador ◊ Peer Mentor

My role and involvement in my CCA/club/society During my time in SIM, I joined a lot of CCAs, such as SIM Accounting Association (SIMAA) and Chinese National Network (CNN), and was a Student Ambassador as well.

However, being a Peer Mentor left a deep impression and impact on me because I had the opportunity to guide new international students and help them to integrate into SIM’s campus life more easily.

How the programme benefitted and better equipped me for the working world Joining the programme provided me with the opportunities to communicate with the HR departments from various companies, as well as industry mentors. Moreover, trainers in the programme were very patient in guiding us and drawing out career plans according to our personalities and interests. On top of that, the wide range of training programmes clarified my future career path and built my confidence.

Tips on how to be an all-rounded student leader I would strongly encourage juniors to participate in more club activities during your time in SIM to meet like-minded people. These experiences will help you expand your network, which will be a very big help in your future career.

www.sim.edu.sg

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SIM EDGE Awards

L

aunched in 2017, the SIM 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, 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.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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 One on campus in order to consolidate your best experiences.

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CAREER CONNECT PREPARES YOU

Abhishek was the former President of the nowdefunct Marketing and Communication Career Chapter, and also served as the Senior PAL leader in his final year. Besides being in the EXCO for various CCAs in SIM, he was also a part of CPA Australia as a Student Ambassador. He is currently a Risk Assurance Services Specialist at PwC.

Abhishek Gupta Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, SIM-UOL Your motivation in applying for the award I always had the motivation to make the best of my student life. Aside from academic growth, I was also looking for areas that would groom my overall profile. The EDGE Award provides a platform for students to showcase their involvement in multiple categories.

I took the challenge to demonstrate my achievements in all the categories for the EDGE Award, as it meant I made the best of my student life. Pursuing this award acted like a guide and gave me a direction when I planned my student life.

One quality that made you stand out from the rest of the applicants Being goal-oriented is one quality that has helped me in the long run. Focusing on achieving my targets allowed me to shape my student life more productively and build my plans right from the start. When I was applying for the EDGE Award, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on my years at SIM and review my involvements to see how everything aligned with my goals and ambitions.

How do you think this award is able to give you the competitive edge The EDGE Award is one of the highest student honours in SIM, and being a recipient showcases my growth during my time at SIM. This award has not only boosted my self-confidence, but also signalled my abilities and potential to future employers. This title has enhanced my profile and improved my overall satisfaction with the programme.

My advice to students Start from DAY ONE! Always frame your end goals in mind and work towards them from the beginning. Do not shy from taking up leadership roles, even if you are in your first year, and be proactive throughout your university life.

Plan your university life in such a way that by the time you reach your final year, you have fulfilled all requirements set for the EDGE Award. Keep track of your progress from the start and be creative when you apply.

www.sim.edu.sg

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Cherylene was the President of the SIM Tennis Club 2019.

There, she took charge of proposals, finance, events and social media. Now, she is employed as an IT specialist and administrator at Lloyds Medical.

Cherylene Tan Bachelor of Arts in Communication, SIM-UB Your motivation in applying for the award The EXCO of EcoSIM encouraged me to apply for the award when I pitched my movement for recycling plastic cup waste in SIM to them; they said I have a good chance of getting it based on my credentials.

It was an opportunity for me to reflect on the things I have done, and obtaining the award would alleviate my chances of getting a job in Singapore. As a foreigner, it is my dream to start my career here!

One quality that made you stand out from the rest of the applicants Everything in my application that got me this award was due to the fact that I wanted to learn more and gain experience. I believe that life is more interesting if you follow your passion, try out new things, take more responsibility and make a change wherever you go.

How do you think this award is able to give you the competitive edge This award shows that I am more than just my grades; that I am recognised for my efforts in building my leadership skills and that I am a globally-aware, responsible member of society and a lifelong learner. It provides a full view of me as a person in a holistic way.

My advice to students Be curious, try everything and learn from everywhere. Go to where you feel a sense of purpose and work hard on it. Dream big, celebrate effort – not victories – and have courage. You will be surprised where self-confidence can bring you!

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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S

IM Alumni Engagement Office started in 2011. Since its inception, we have sought 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 165,000.

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.

Visit simge.edu.sg/alumni or contact us at gealumni@sim.edu.sg.

CEO Dialogue 2019

Overseas Alumni Chapter @ Myanmar

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Overseas Alumni Chapter @ China

Overseas Alumni Chapter @ Vietnam

Overseas Alumni Chapter @ Indonesia

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CEO Dialogue 2020

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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 also gives you a good perspective of how businesses and organisations are operated, opening doors to start your own company in the future.

In recent years, businesses have started to use technology such as cloud accounting software and applications to increase efficiency for accounting and financial management.

Accounting professionals are encouraged to upskilll constantly, picking up data analysis and mastering digital accounting.

Accounting firms typically 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.

Due to the range of services they offer, 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.

• Auditing • Financial consulting • Risk assessment • Tax consulting

Skills required • Numerical skills • Commercial awareness • Strategic planning skills • Analytical skills • Decision-making skills • Good communication skills

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pecialising in different areas of banking and finance (e.g. asset management, hedge funds, private banking and equity, risk management, venture capital and corporate restructuring), employers such as retail banks and investment firms offer a diverse range of roles to graduate hires.

Competition is tough in the banking and finance sector in Singapore, as the city-state is a regional and global hub for investment and finance. Improve your opportunities of securing a job in this field by seeking out internships during your university days to gain relevant work experience and build your knowledge and networks.

Take note that 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 employers prefer numerical and business degrees, 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

Job areas include • Assurance management

Banking and Finance

• Operations and technology

Job hunting tips Get licensed, stay on top of your game in terms of accounting skills and network extensively in this professional circle.

• Private banking • Private equity • Risk management • Treasury • Wealth management

Skills required • Numerical and analysis skills • Problem-solving ability

Job hunting tips Score an internship and ace it! Networking is crucial in banking and investment. Research potential employers and send in your applications early.

• Resilience • Able to work under pressure • Excellent communication skills • Strong understanding of financial markets • Decision-making skills

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Consulting

Education

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raduates looking to break into this sector can choose between different areas of expertise ranging from human resources (HR), integrated solutions, management and strategy advisory work. They are also able to specialise in a particular sector, such as information technology (IT) or finance, with finance consulting being the most popular choice among graduates.

Many employers offer graduate specialist programmes, where you will be assigned to work in teams with a mentor.

You will also be involved in projects and have the chance to experience the day-to-day business to help you pick up skills on-the-job. However, there are numerous perks to working in this industry, such as a variety of job roles and travelling opportunities post-COVID. Be prepared to work in a highpressure environment, though!

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

Skills required • Commercial awareness • Numerical and analytical skills

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espite the long hours and the need to juggle multiple responsibilities, a career in education is highly rewarding as it gives you the satisfaction of preparing 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 want to consider roles such as career counsellor, educational psychologist, or corporate and administrative roles.

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 (NIE). Graduates from all disciplines are welcome to apply.

Job areas include • Early childhood education

Job hunting tips

• Primary education

Gain some teaching experience as a tutor, volunteer teacher or substitute teacher prior to applying if you can. Experience is not necessary, but it is highly valued as it allows you to be exposed to different student behaviours, and helps you cultivate your own teaching style in the classroom.

• Secondary education • Tertiary education • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) • Education psychology • Education assessment

Job hunting tips

• Career counselling

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!

Skills required • Passion • A strong belief in education • Effective interpersonal and communication skills • Organisational and time management skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills • Persuasion and negotiation skills • Problem-solving ability • Able to work in a team • Self-motivation

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Healthcare

Hospitality and Tourism

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mployment in this industry is not closed off to nonmedical graduates. While most medical careers 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, 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 is 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 startups that focus on specialised products (e.g. hospital management software and medical robotics). You can also opt for a position with non-profit organisations such as Mercy Relief or the Mercy Corps.

Job areas include • Clinical medicine • Allied health (e.g. nutrition and therapy) • Laboratory work • Healthcare regulations • Manufacturing and supply • Quality management • Research and development • Sales and marketing

Skills required • Resilience • Communication skills • Organisational skills • Able to work in a team • Excellent grasp of technical knowledge

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

Job hunting tips 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 too, as is obtaining the necessary qualifications.

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ome to two integrated resorts, i.e. the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore has a strong hospitality and tourism industry. Although the industry took a huge hit due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, this sector is set to be revived with the anticipated return of meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE).

Singapore has also retained its popularity as a stopover location as countries reopen their borders, and can offer graduates ample career opportunities, 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 work 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 • The food and beverage industry • Hotels and resorts • Leisure and recreation management • Meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE)

Job hunting tips Demonstrate your passion for the hospitality and tourism sector to show that you have the drive to go the extra mile.

• Spa and wellness management • Tourism and attractions

Skills required • Client-facing skills • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Organisational skills • Able to work in a team • Problem-solving ability

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IT and Technology

Legal

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ingapore is a global IT hub and many technology firms have established their offices here. Given the pervasiveness of technology today, the expertise of IT professionals is not only needed in the tech sector, but also in the non-IT industries as well (e.g. finance, health, media and legal services).

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 an educational background in IT can take up technical modules in school or obtain professional technical qualifications on a part-time basis as they work.

A common way into the IT sector is through graduate programmes, especially if you want to apply to major organisations. On the other hand, many smaller employers prefer to hire directly.

Employers greatly value candidates with good problemsolving and time management abilities as these are vital to helping them meet project deadlines. Good interpersonal and communication skills are also essential due to the teambased nature of this sector.

Job areas include • Application development • Cloud innovation • Data analytics • E-commerce • Information security • Infrastructure • Project management • Systems administration

Skills required

Job hunting tips Employers often stick to conventional recruitment methods such as job postings, campus events and recruitment fairs.

Prepare digital copies of necessary documents and materials for your online application.

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pon obtaining your law degree, you will have to first undergo a training period – that lasts between six months to a year – before you can go through the bar examinations and practise as a lawyer. Large law firms may offer graduate trainee programmes with opportunities to rotate 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 ponder roles like in-house legal advisors for commercial organisations, advising them on various legal strategies.

Employers in the legal industry need support staff members for the finance, HR and even IT departments too.

However, depending on your role, your working hours can differ immensely.

As a graduate lawyer, you may be faced with long and intense hours at work, though 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 problemsolving abilities.

Job areas include • Arbitration and dispute resolution • Civil litigation • Conveyancing • Corporate and commercial law • Criminal law • Intellectual property law

• Adaptability

Skills required

• Commercial awareness

• Analytical skills

• Technical skills • Problem-solving ability • Time management skills • Communication skills

• Communication skills • Good networking ability

Job hunting tips Consider taking up paralegal jobs as a student to meet contacts and form your professional network. You can also intern or volunteer with NGOs or political organisations to get more exposure if you are interested in these aspects of the profession.

• An eye for detail

• Organisational skills

• The ability to work under pressure

• Able to work in a team

• To be highly committed • Problem-solving ability

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Manufacturing, Logistics and Supply Chain

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anufacturing, logistics and supply chain are essential in many industries, especially in the fastmoving consumer goods (FMCG) 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 then 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 hires 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 they are gunning for.

• Assembly engineer • Customs management • E-commerce • Freight/Global forwarding • Logistics • Supply chain management and service • Supply optimisation • Transport management • Warehousing

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he 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.

Familiarity with traditional areas of work in this industry such as journalism, events and marketing are essential, and graduates need to be well-versed in social media management and able to adapt to ongoing communication trends too.

Despite the breadth of the industry, vacancies are limited, and competition to get into the industry can be stiff. While large organisations do run graduate schemes, most graduate applicants will likely have to apply directly for entry-level jobs.

Job areas include • Advertising

Job hunting tips

• Copywriting

A solid portfolio can greatly increase your chances of a successful application.

Networking is also immensely important and may help you get a foot in the door to the industry. For this reason, it is a good idea to start taking up part-time roles and internships even as a student in order to build your connections and portfolio.

• Digital/Web marketing • Events management • Film/Stage production • Graphic design

Job areas include • Operations manager

Media (Advertising, PR and Communications)

• Journalism

Job hunting tips Employers usually keep an eye out for graduates who are not only strong in planning and people skills, but boast technical expertise in project and logistics management as well.

• Media purchasing • Public relations (PR) • Social media management

Skills required • Creativity • Able to work in a team • Strong analytical skills • Tenacity and resourcefulness • Data management

Skills required • Planning skills • Organisational skills • Strong communication skills • Interpersonal skills • Able to work in a team • Leadership skills • Problem-solving ability • An eye for detail

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NGOs and Non-profit Organisations

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raduates keen on helping the community can find their calling in non-governmental and non-profit organisations. Singapore is home to around 140 international not-for-profit organisations, all catering to a variety of social, humanitarian and environmental issues. As such, there are plenty of options for graduates.

Depending on the area of expertise and the role that you apply for, there may be a need for specialist knowledge and skills, and some organisations may impose certain certification criteria.

Whatever your role is, employers generally look for a definite trait: Passion and commitment to the cause. While salaried positions tend to be on the lower scale compared to the corporate sector, employees working with NGOs and nonprofits derive their motivation from the satisfaction that they gain from serving and helping people.

Job areas include • Community relations

Job hunting tips

• Environmental

Employers look for candidates who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the cause and contribution to the organisation.

• Services (children, youth, family, elderly, special needs and healthcare) • Social work • Volunteer development

Skills required • Problem-solving ability • Organisation skills • Communication skills • Technical skills (depending on the role)

Public Sector

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he public sector is Singapore’s largest employer, consisting of different ministries, statutory boards and a variety of organisations such as the Public Service Division, the Singapore Armed Forces and the Home Team.

Graduates engaged in public service often find their roles to be satisfying and fulfilling.

Depending on the role and ministry that you are hired into, your job scope and the skills required may vary. In general, though, all public sector employees must possess a passion to serve the community and have good teamwork and communication skills. A maturity in order to draw up and execute national policies is vital as well.

As a public sector employee, you will benefit from frequent training for upskilling and job security, and may also 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 graduates 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 are interested in for new positions available.

Job areas include • Government agencies • Ministries • Statutory boards • Uniformed groups

Skills required • Communication skills • Organisational skills • Able to work in a team • Good interpersonal skills

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Job hunting tips As this sector offers a wide range of positions, do thorough research and find and identify the fields of work which interest you. Be prepared for a series of interviews and assessments too!

Keep in mind that psychometric tests may be included in your recruitment process too.

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Career Champs

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areer Champs is a student-centric platform which aims to serve the career needs of our learners (students and working adults), to boost employability, facilitate career transition and progression.

Career Champs aims to:

• Accelerate your career journey through upskilling in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world; • Connect and Interact with alumni and professionals of your industry of choice; and • Empower you to discover your career interests and increase your chances of getting your dream internship or job.

This is achieved through career related events such as Career Fairs, Networking Events, Leadership Talks, Fireside Chats, Webinars and Company Visits, among others. Contact us at careerchamp@sim.edu.sg for further queries!

Let us now hear from two of our Career Champs on their experiences.

Vennesyia Niquita BSc in Banking and Finance, SIM-UOL Partnerships and Engagement Department SIM EDGE Award Recipient My role As the main coordinator for the Partnerships and Engagement Department, I served to bridge the gap between students and potential employers with the objective of helping students to further explore job and internship opportunities in the various sectors of the economy. We hoped to be able to expose students to the myriad of possibilities in the different industries in the APAC region by collaborating with companies and conducting career fairs.

What motivated you to join Career Champs?

The coexistence of comfort and growth is elusive for anyone with big dreams. Having been through two years of university, my biggest takeaway is the importance of growth. The person I was two years ago would certainly have not dared to venture out of my comfort zone and would still be living in the comforts of my shell if it were not for the opportunities SIM has afforded me.

After attending multiple career talks by local and international alumni, I knew that I wanted to give back to SIM and create a difference in the lives of other students, the same way these alumni inspired me. Career Champs was the perfect platform for me to achieve so much more than just that as it not only honed my soft skills, but also shaped me to become a more confident individual no longer afraid to take on challenges.

Some words of advice Today, we no longer live in a world where academic excellence is the sole determining factor of your future. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. It is imperative that we continue to work on ourselves and constantly upgrade our skill sets in order to remain relevant, so that when the opportunity comes, we will be ready. SIM offers a plethora of opportunities for you to prepare yourselves for the workforce, all you have to do is take it and make the best out of them.

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Jayden Lin BBus in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, SIM-RMIT Partnerships and Engagement Department SIM EDGE Award Recipient My role As the former President of the Supply Chain Career Chapter, I had the opportunity to lead a team to organise learning journeys, workshops and career talks in order to connect students to the developing and ever-changing logistics and supply chain industry.

We aim to strengthen student’s relevance to the industry by providing the opportunities for students to network with the industry practitioners as well as to explore various internship and career opportunities. Some companies we have collaborated with include Procter & Gamble (P&G), Sembcorp Marine, Thenamaris and more.

What motivated you to join Career Champs?

The statement “Let my accomplishment be measured by whether and how much I help others succeed” deeply inspired me, and reassured my purpose of helping others to achieve their goals. Career Champs allowed me to serve students and working adults in terms of career needs. The process of enabling, encouraging and promoting while levelling up my achievements beyond the relentless pursuit of self-ambition became all the more important in this time, as we continue to navigate through this global pandemic.

I brought my unique vision ability and previous experience from Career Chapters to Career Champs in order to chart the blueprint out for Partnership and Engagement (P&E), and used them to lead a team that organised events as well as forged connections through professional internships in companies such as Advisors Alliance Group, Axxel Marketing and Shopee. I also leveraged on these experiences and connections to decipher workplace readiness skills and industry trends by connecting people with industry practitioners as well as career opportunities.

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Choosing What is Best for You: MNCs, SMEs or Startups When choosing a job, it is important to find the right fit.

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ithin the area of your chosen career, employers come in all shapes and sizes. Although they can be generally classified into multinational companies (MNCs), small or medium enterprises (SMEs), or startups, you will quickly find each company has a character and disposition of its own. This is especially important when you begin considering job offers – finding the right workplace is vital when you are first setting out on your career journey.

Multinational Companies (MNCs) These are large firms that usually have one global head office and maintain facilities and assets in numerous countries other than its home country. MNCs are typically well-known companies with large operations bases and revenue. Some well-known organisations include Nestlé, Proctor & Gamble (P&G) and Visa. MNCs also tend to have strong and reputable brand value, and many graduates attach a certain level of prestige to working for them.

Positives Opportunities As MNCs maintain a presence in numerous countries, there will be opportunities to travel and work around the world. This will give you the chance to work with diverse colleagues of different nationalities and backgrounds.

Moreover, you can shift between departments within the same company, enabling you to update your resume without having to search for a new job. Career progression is also fairly straightforward and you will be able to see the paths of progression ahead of you.

Benefits MNCs, with their large revenues, can afford to spend.

Due to this, they generally offer excellent benefits, from healthcare to corporate discounts. You may start off with a larger paycheque as well.

Upskilling If moving between departments does not interest you, you can still hone your skills and master your trade as job scopes are more likely to be fixed. You will have the chance to cultivate your expertise in one area of work as training and upskilling will be provided too. Successful experts will also be around you more often, so you can look up them to as role models.

Negatives Culture and opportunities Maintaining a shared culture is challenging in a company that sprawls across several countries with different values.

As employees also tend to integrate into the company’s culture, some aspects of your individualism may get lost as rules and regulations are much stricter. Although there are opportunities for cross-departmental tasks, most employees find themselves moving within their own job scope with little reason to interact with other departments.

Red tape Standard operating procedure (SOP), workflow and structure can be inflexible as well. The different levels of management also mean many MNCs are resistant to change, which results in less autonomy for employees. On top of that, if you need approval for a decision or project, it may take some time for it to pass through all the required processes.

Job satisfaction As one individual in a massive organisation, it can be hard to see how your work impacts the company. It can also be discouraging if you like to see the results of your work, leading to feelings of frustration and disconnect.

Recognition is hard to come by and you may even end up feeling like an expendable cog in a large machine.

Competition Graduates are not the only ones jostling for limited positions in MNCs – so are experienced jobseekers. As such, competition is fierce. Competition among co-workers within large companies can be just as intense, if not more.

Missteps may be used against you and, with countless jobseekers raring to join MNCs, a single mistake may endanger your career.

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Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Companies with either less than $100 million in yearly sales turnover or a total employee headcount that does not exceed 200 people are considered SMEs. These enterprises contribute more than 50 per cent to Singapore’s GDP and provide some 70% of employment.

Today, graduates and jobseekers alike are as keen to work in an SME as they are an MNC.

Positives

Negatives

Experience Job roles are less specific and involvement in all areas is much higher. You may also be required to take part in cross-functional tasks that are not part of your job scope.

This exposes you to a range of tasks to develop various skills in different areas of expertise and allows you to gain knowledge and insight beyond your role that can boost your resume in the future too.

Resources and benefits Unlike MNCs, SMEs do not have the resources to bring on more manpower. Due to this, you will most likely find yourself juggling a variety of different jobs regularly, leading to a workload much larger than those generally found in MNCs. You will also have to settle for fewer benefits than what you would be able to find for the same job scope in a bigger organisation, such as retirement plans.

Flexibility Some SMEs offer alternative work arrangements, much like flexible working hours. They also tend to be less stringent on dress codes. Job preferences and personalities are taken into account, and you can use that to your advantage, like exploring your own working style, for example.

Training SMEs do not usually offer training programmes and you can expect to learn on the job. If training is offered, there is a chance it would be informal. You would need to be proactive and possess a streak of independence if you want to pick up knowledge and skills.

Culture and environment The work culture in SMEs tends to be open with flat hierarchies, and employees are usually encouraged to communicate with senior management, even as fresh hires. The environment is also more casual, but still driven and integrated. Deep bonds are common, so expect to join a close-knit team of colleagues. Most managers would know employees by name and there are more chances to interact with colleagues from different departments.

Career progression and growth Although there may be fewer employees in a company competing for a promotion, the fact that the company is small means the number of positions available is limited.

There may be fewer opportunities and growth can be restricted – assuming the company even grows at all. If there are no plans for company growth, you may well find yourself in the same position years down the road. SMEs that cannot grow usually wind up closing down in the long run, leaving you unemployed.

Job satisfaction Working for SMEs will give you the unique chance of taking ownership of your work even as you drive the company forward. Moreover, as your work is valued, your confidence in yourself and your abilities will rise, leading to better job satisfaction and enabling you to aim higher career-wise.

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Small and unknown While MNCs are widely known and respected, which can be useful when you begin looking around for your next role. However, if you come from an SME, in the future, you may have to talk about the company instead of yourself and your achievements.

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Startups Newly incorporated businesses that have not hit the five-year mark, startups depend on scalable business models. They have also established a reputation for offering goods or services that cannot be found anywhere else on the market. Most of the time, the people who join startups are considered the most talented and respected in their respective fields.

Positives Creative and innovative The work environment in startups tends to be innovative and dynamic, and always looking to break into new territory. You will have the space you need to create and innovate, and the next new fresh design or concept could come from you.

Flexibility Hierarchies in startups are not very rigid and tend to be flat. They also offer flexible working hours and a casual environment. You will also have flexibility in your approach to work – how and when you do your work are up to you, so long as you can deliver. As there are usually only a handful of employees in a startup, interactions with colleagues are also very casual.

Career progression and recognition Although your managers or the founders of the startup will guide you along, you will most likely work without supervision. Startups are also excellent training grounds as you will have to learn how to do almost everything, especially if you are planning to pick up a senior management role in the future. You will likely be hired for the skills you can bring to the table but, as startups expect more than that, your learning curve will be very sharp.

However, the chance of recognition for a job well done is high.

Negatives Job stability, structure and risk Many startups do not succeed for a variety of reasons, such as facing bad economies. Startups are also known to switch strategies at the drop of a hat, which could lead to disorganisation and miscommunication if coupled with firsttime founders. Keep in mind that although startup founders may have exceptional ideas and plans to succeed, this does not make them either good or experienced leaders.

Remuneration and benefits Your salary will not match the long working hours and commitment you have to plunge into a startup. Moreover, if there are gaps in resources or funding, you may find yourself with lower, or even suspended salary, for a time.

There are certain perks to off-set this issue, though, such as the chance to work from home and stock options.

Work-life balance There is no such thing as a work-life balance in a startup if you want to succeed. You will have to eat, sleep and breathe it. Bringing a startup to life requires a level of dedication and commitment not found in larger companies and, more often than not, the startup will take up all your time. Moreover, because of low employee headcount, you will find yourself working long and odd hours, perhaps even on weekends. Burnout from working in this highstress environment is highly possible.

Opportunities and experience Startups grant you the opportunity to forge your own path rather than follow an established route. Startups are about your skills and do not usually require experience as you will learn on the job. Not only that, but you will also have the chance to work with other skilled entrepreneurs.

Job satisfaction and ownership In such a small company, every bit of effort from you counts. You will also have a larger sphere of influence than in an MNC, or even in an SME, and your performance will have a direct impact. You may even get the opportunity to work on an entire project by yourself and will get all the credit if it is a success.

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Exploring Internships Committing to an internship can give you an edge over other graduate applicants; on top of giving you the chance to gain valuable experience, it is also an opportunity for you to develop the skills and qualities employers look out for.

Benefits of committing to an internship

1.

Boost your employability

An internship exposes you to the working world and gives you a chance to see how things work in a corporate setting. With an internship under your belt, you can also demonstrate the relevant skills and knowledge acquired beyond the classroom to prospective employers.

Moreover, in the new normal and present economic climate, employers are on the lookout for candidates who stand out, are adaptable and able contribute.

Internships can also set you apart from other applicants who do not have one under their belts.

3.

2.

Better understanding of yourself

Internships are the perfect avenue for you to experience the industry of your interest and find out if you can see yourself in that line of work upon graduation. Internships can also help you gauge your abilities and working style, and help you realise how you can further improve your skills. This preview of the industry of your choice may help you better manage your expectations when you transition into the working world too.

Connect to your chosen career

Employers often use internships and work placements as means to attract talents and later convert them to full-time graduate hires. So, during an internship, try your best to shine! An internship in your chosen industry will not only help you grow your network of professional contacts – which can come in handy in the future – but may also give you an insider’s perspective into the industry.

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Chee Guan Jia BSc in Banking and Finance, SIM-UOL Intern, Corporate Analyst Development Programme, J.P. Morgan My role Over my five-week internship, I was tasked with two projects. The first was a case study where I had to propose ways to streamline the bank’s operations in the account opening process. This exercise allowed me to understand how the bank leverages disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, in their business.

The second was a social impact project where I had to devise a technological solution to help the firm’s non-profit partner – a large NGO – to better attract funding and volunteers. This experience was particularly unique as it was a virtual internship and I got to witness how a company ensures business continuity during a crisis.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

I was fortunate to secure an internship before the global coronavirus pandemic hit the job market, but what I can perhaps share is the importance of consistently upgrading our skills. To do so, we need to first think about whether our interests, skills and experiences match up to the job requirements.

Next, we should consider the necessary soft and hard skills, where there are gaps, and take up courses or traineeships to cover them. The most important reminder would be to stay positive and keep the faith! I would also highlight that the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and we have to identify and pick up the relevant skills required as roles evolve accordingly.

My takeaway My biggest takeaway would definitely be the new friendships and connections I made, along with exposure to working with colleagues across various business functions. I would also like to highlight the great company culture at J.P. Morgan. It was definitely a challenge to juggle between studying for my exams, leading a student club and taking on a full-time internship, but the genuine and inclusive culture at the firm made me feel well-supported.

There was never a dull day during my internship as I met several people who were very willing to share their experiences and knowledge, and this provided me with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. It also showed me how a company is only as extraordinary as its people.

Some words of advice Focus on your soft skills and learn to be adaptable. Keep in mind that the “goal post” is constantly shifting; the skills in high demand now are artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing and data analytics, and this will keep evolving in the future. Hence, the ability to be creative and flexible in response to the changing circumstances is key.

In addition, be a sponge and absorb as much information as you can; go out there and gain as much experience as possible.

An internship is a fantastic opportunity to learn and discover the inner workings of the corporate world.

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Tung Mei Yuan BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Business Development Intern, Shopee My role My core duties included reviewing and onboarding sellers into the incubation programme, educating them and providing strategic recommendations based on their business needs to maximise sales performance. I was also responsible for helping the sellers curate and set discounts for flash deals on the platform.

Besides that, my day-to-day tasks also involved liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth business operations.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

While the global coronavirus pandemic changed the game for many of us who are on the lookout for internships, it also fuelled the e-commerce surge in Singapore, as people were forced to stay home. It was because of this that Shopee still had openings for roles and internships.

I considered myself lucky to have secured this placement as I had been actively applying to Shopee and following up with the HR, whom I networked with during a career sharing session. I also attribute my internship placement to my tenacity in clocking credentials that would equip me with transferrable skill sets required in different workplaces.

My takeaway As e-commerce was booming, it was difficult to get used to such a fast-paced environment and learn things quickly, especially when everyone was working from home. I was really overwhelmed initially, and there was barely time to take a breather, but I am nimbler now as I have co-workers who are dedicated to speeding up work processes.

I am also more diplomatic now, and my negotiation abilities improved as I had to deal with merchants – some are really not tech-savvy! – and provide them with strategic advice to improve sales as well as to ensure smooth operations.

Some words of advice It is important to have a great sense of urgency and responsibility, especially when you have to work under pressure with deadlines to meet. You must not be afraid of making and owning up to mistakes because uncharted waters are scary, but that is where you grow.

Also, take the initiative to learn and volunteer to do things out of your job scope and be proactive in attending the networking sessions to meet others – it will be a rewarding experience!

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Beatrice Chow BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Intern, Youth Engagement and Systems, Youth Corps Singapore My role I organised and conducted youth engagements that shared more about the Youth Corps to school partners and new youth members. I was also assigned as the Youth Overall-in-Charge for an ongoing volunteering project, Meals on Wheels. As a YOIC, I managed stakeholders – volunteers and Community Partners – online and offline, to ensure that senior clients received the meal support that they needed daily.

I was also part of the Youth Organising Committee for Fireflies 2020, the Youth Corps’ annual volunteer appreciation event, where I oversaw a team of youths who organised an appreciation package for more than 500 youth volunteers.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

I had gotten acquainted with Youth Corps earlier through their volunteering opportunities; this gave me the upper hand when I was shortlisted as one of their interns. I also appreciated, and was aligned with, their organisational values in serving the community.

In addition, I planned ahead to secure my internship before the implications of the global coronavirus pandemic hit, which allowed YCS ample time to manage the reallocation of resources on their end – even with scarce internship placements available.

Finally, I possessed the skills needed to support new and dynamic operations within the organisation during this time, and kept an open mind to embrace new learning opportunities over the course of my internship.

My takeaway One of my biggest takeaways was the opportunity to meet stakeholders from diverse backgrounds – volunteers, colleagues and clients. It made me more appreciative of the things that I have in life and honed my communication skills as I learnt to coordinate with them.

Overseeing multiple projects also helped strengthen my multitasking and organisational skills. Due to restrictions, working from home was a default arrangement during my internship, though my experience was not compromised. I was exposed to opportunities to learn new community leadership skills and uncover new knowledge about social services, and am now better prepared for my future career!

Some words of advice Take the initiative when it comes to your own learning experience. Be proactive in seeking work opportunities, find spaces where you are able to grow and learn and be receptive to receiving feedback that can help you enrich yourself. Lastly, embrace new knowledge and skills with an open mind.

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Ong Ying Rui BSc in Business Management with Year in Industry, SIM-UOB Marketing Intern, Novartis My role My core focus was to assist the marketing team in coordinating activities and events. On top of that, I created marketing materials like invitations to healthcare professionals for our webinar series, creating Rep Triggered Emails to highlight the key points from marketing activities and newsletter updates as well. I was also extensively involved in adapting global promotional materials for local use.

One of the bigger projects I was assigned to was organising the World Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Day from scratch together with the marketing team. Creative thinking was one of the valuable skills I picked up from the event, as I had to think of ways to get participants really involved. We ended up creating a TikTok challenge for our colleagues, which was pretty fun!

On top of that, I was tasked to organise virtual bonding sessions for the team which encouraged me to think out of the box for interesting ideas.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

I think it is very important to be your true self and be as authentic as you can during the recruitment process, so that the interviewer knows what to really expect if they choose to hire you. Also, always conduct research on the company to learn more about them and ensure what they do aligns to your interests and objectives for your internship. It will also give you the opportunity to ask interviewers questions during the interview.

My takeaway One key challenge would be learning to adapt to terms used in the pharmaceutical industry as I did not have any exposure in this industry. It is very important for me to double check if the messages on the marketing materials were delivered correctly and in a succinct manner, with no spelling errors.

Since my internship took place over the Circuit Breaker, I worked from home from the first day. Communications were done solely through virtual means – which was a unique experience – although it could be difficult sometimes, as I could not ask for guidance easily.

Nevertheless, it was a great experience because I got to step out of my comfort zone and be exposed to an industry that I was unfamiliar with.

Some words of advice Always take the initiative to ask for work if you have completed your tasks. An internship is a learning experience, so do not be afraid to ask questions when you are in doubt! An internship is also the best place where you can learn more about yourself, such as the things you may or may not wish to have in your future jobs. So, do not be afraid to try out different kind of industries or job roles if you are unsure of what you want to do in the future!

Even though there may be times where your internship is not what you desire or expect it to be, there will still be takeaways, like learning to work with different kinds of people and dealing with difficult clients, among others. Moreover, I got to apply what I had learnt from my previous internship, such as liaising with third-party vendors on this internship. Thus, it is important to keep an open mind and make the most out of each internship!

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Nazreen (2nd from right) BSc Economics and Management, SIM-UOL Digital Marketing and Recruitment Intern, Citadel Search My role Many organisations were unceremoniously impacted by the pandemic, and Citadel Search was not left unscathed. Being a boutique recruitment firm, its main service offering of recruitment was largely affected. As such, the company was in the process of pivoting their services and exploring new and innovative ways in which it could stimulate brand recall and remain relevant.

My role as a Digital Marketing and Recruitment Intern entailed curating engaging content for Citadel Search’s social media feed in the form of articles, videos and infographics. In addition, I worked alongside consultants in sourcing for potential new clients, reaching out to potential candidates on available job opportunities and carrying out operational duties. On top of that, I had the opportunity to plan and execute a webinar for HR practitioners within the region.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

It took me around three months to successfully secure this placement. I think part of the reason I secured this placement was due to my past experience and Citadel Search’s willingness to provide me the opportunity to explore my field of interest.

Receiving a call three months after an interview is not common, and I guess I was lucky.

My takeaway There were countless learning opportunities over my internship! I had the chance to learn and experience various professional skills such as recruitment, digital marketing, business development, event management and project management, for instance. My particular focus was in content creation, which familiarised me with the setbacks the industry faced, as well as curate content in the form of videos and articles for the target audience.

Due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, I found it hard to communicate with my team virtually. It was tough clarifying doubts, so there was a need to be resourceful and independent to meet project requirements. It was especially tough preparing for virtual events, which are starkly different from planning physical events. However, the endearing (virtual) support from my team helped me successfully execute my first virtual event!

Some words of advice 2020 has no doubt been turbulent, but it was also a time filled with opportunities. The rate at which the pandemic accelerated the use of technology in multiple organisations clearly indicated that business operations has, and will, change henceforth. I think the key is to cultivate a growth mindset and embrace change. Grab any available learning opportunity! You may just be surprised by the outcome and your gains from the experience.

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Chang Zhi Yi BSc Data Science and Analytics, SIM-UOL Business Development Intern, Kobe Global Technologies My role My responsibilities included lead generation, competitor analysis for clients and database management. Later in my internship, I also got the opportunity to help out in other departments, such as marketing and content strategy as well. Some tasks and projects assigned to me were to create marketing decks and electronic direct mails, as well as liaising with content creators in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia for social media campaigns.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

Businesses have been holding back on providing internships as they are focused on bringing their businesses online in an attempt to adapt to the current circumstances. What I believe made myself stand out from the rest of the applicants was showing how I could harness skills from other parts of my life and apply them to the role. Demonstrating that I am a candidate who is not afraid of learning new things and illustrating my ability to deal with change were also key aspects during the interview process.

My takeaway The biggest takeaway from my internship experience is to celebrate wins and learn from losses. There is no win too small to celebrate, and no loss too small to learn from. Although my colleagues used this mindset to empower and encourage one another to meet their weekly and monthly goals, I learnt that this can be applied to almost anything, be it in school or at work. Setting realistic goals and celebrating when goals are met is important. It is more important to learn from times when one’s goals are not met. Ask yourself questions like, “What can be done better?” and “How do we ensure they are met the next week or month?”

Some words of advice Always have the mentality you had on your first day of your internship. Do not be too shy to ask questions because it will help you understand the business and their processes better. Do not hesitate to give feedback and suggestions because you do not know what kind of impact you can make.

From time to time, also make sure to take a step back and ask yourself “How can I apply the skills I have acquired in school to this task or project?” The workshops that you signed up and paid for in school are not for nothing! Apply the skills learnt because no one is too small to make a difference.

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Sharwani Penna BSc in Computing and Information Systems, SIM-UOL Intern, Network Information Security, PwC My role My main focus as an intern was application security. I was able to oversee the security clearance process and manage the risks for each of the 30 to 40 projects in progress, including commonly used applications.

As PwC was also driving major changes to its security services across the entire global network, I was privileged to have first-hand experiences with the models being implemented, provide analysis and make decisions on the implementation of this model. I was also given the chance to govern the firm for compliance with PwC’s Information Security Policy and engage with global IT to review these controls.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

As I landed my internship during my penultimate year, and during this trying period, it was truly a blessing. I believe that perseverance and enthusiasm was crucial to finding an internship during this pandemic, as many companies were not hiring many interns. Background research into the company’s culture and showing a genuine interest in the role during the interview process also went a long way as it showed that I genuinely wanted to be part of the team.

My takeaway During this internship, I was able to understand my working style, like what kind of environment I like to work in, as well as the type of challenges I prefer. On top of that, being involved in several projects that were being implemented really pushed me to be constantly on my feet, looking out for ways that I could better improve the workflow of these processes. This reinforced whatever I learnt over my studies and gave me a clearer picture of how software processes are like in real life. I was also able to work with professionals from various line of services, which exposed me to various perspectives.

Some words of advice Seize every opportunity to learn and ask questions wherever possible. Even though a particular process may not be part of your job scope, you should still ask questions to further understand the purpose of your role, no matter how small. This will enable you to be more motivated to do your job well. Be open to taking advice and constructive criticism from your superiors too, and take note of their working styles; this will further equip you with skills to work with anyone when you go into the workforce.

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Henry Ng BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Marketing Intern, GTI Media My role I worked in different aspects of marketing throughout my internship, from digital to physical marketing. My main responsibility was to reach out to students from various universities in order to conduct a survey that provides the data in my company’s publication. I also assisted my team in posting jobs and maintaining the website, managing social media platforms and crafting electronic direct mails for the weekly newsletter.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

To be honest, I was worried that I would not be able to secure an internship during this trying period. However, I also believe that the right attitude can help you get you the opportunities that you want. Thus, if you desire a role or position enough, you will do everything in your control to get an interview with the employer, from enhancing your resume to improving your people skills. And when the opportunity presents itself, seize it!

My takeaway My biggest takeaway from my internship were the bonds I formed with my colleagues. This experience gave me a whole new perspective on how marketing strategies can be adjusted, especially in this time where everything has to be moved onto digital platforms as well. I even learnt that digital platforms have their limitations as compared to on-the-ground marketing, something I did not necessarily learn in the classroom.

It also taught me to adapt quickly, as capturing the target audience’s attention is not easy when every other company is using the same method to convey their message; you need to know your target audience well, and keep up with the trends to form a captivating message.

Some words of advice Be a problem-solver, and do not be the one that causes them. If you constantly strive to improve yourself, you will have the skills to solve different challenges, which will bring more value to the company. Be hungry to learn, no matter the task. It will benefit you in the long-run as it makes you a more competent and independent worker.

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Ng Ying Min (left) BSc in Accounting and Finance, SIM-UOL Accounts Intern, Arcadier My role Because my responsibility was to manage accounts, I was fortunate enough to experience what an accountant does during my internship. Besides that, I also gave presentations to the finance department.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

I am grateful that I was able to secure an internship during this difficult period. First, I conducted my own research into the internship position I was applying for. Later, I highlighted the school experience I had that was related to the position I was applying for, and tailored my resume to fit it.

My takeaway I learnt to be more meticulous in the tasks I was given as I had to handle the accounts, and there was little or no room for error. On top of that, I also had the opportunity to learn how to use QuickBooks to key in daily transactions. It was a great internship experience!

Some words of advice The purpose of an internship is to learn, so do not be afraid to make mistakes and ask your colleagues for help. Be proactive too – this will make your internship experience more meaningful. Even if you do not manage to secure an internship now, do not give up. There are still other opportunities!

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Gillian Chiow BSc in Data Science and Business Analysis, SIM-UOL Intern, Human Resources Department, Nestlé Products Sdn. Bhd. My role Due to the enforcement of the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, my internship was completed virtually.

Being part of the human resources team, I aimed to drive people strategies to recruit talents, support business achieves business agenda and provide guidance to grow leadership and functional skills in a corporate environment. I was involved in employer branding research, idea brainstorming to reach out the youths, as well as initiating activities for the Nestlé interns.

Over the internship, my teammate and I even organised a video contest for all interns to share a day in the life of a Nestlé intern on social media as an initiative to show more people what working in Nestlé was like!

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition to secure an internship?

I began searching for internship opportunities in August 2020, upon completion of my exam, and was very thankful to receive two offers to interview. Although my internship was not directly related to my course of study, I truly appreciated every opportunity that came. During the interview with the talent acquisition specialist, she mentioned that my experience in organising virtual events attracted her, as Nestlé was aiming to look more into approaching youth virtually, such as how to make virtual events more interactive.

My takeaway The main challenge I had in this internship was communication. Virtual internships require high commitment and a lot of selfmotivation, as well as the ability to collaborate and communicate with others online. This includes performing the tasks on time along with being accountable to other members of the team and keeping them updated.

Over the internship, I also realised the human resources department is not just about recruiting. Under the guidance of my supervisor, I found that a strong employer branding strategy can help the company attract top candidates and provide a larger pool of potential employees to select from.

Some words of advice Do not get discouraged when there are failures – just keep on trying. Appreciate any opportunity that comes to you, even though they are not very related to your course of study. There is always knowledge behind the simple things that seems unrelated to your current status, but the experience will give you different perspectives that may benefit you in the future.

Moreover, if you are not able to land an internship in Singapore, do not be afraid to expand your horizons and look at other countries? Every experience makes you grow!

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Converting an Internship into a Full-Time Job

Bryan Lim Bachelor of Arts in Communications, SIM-UB Previous role: Talent Acquisition Intern Current role: Junior Acquisition Business Partner, Shopback My role As a Talent Acquisition Intern, I supported the recruitment processes, from screening of candidate’s resumes and doing first round calls with candidates, to conducting reference checks. I was initially assisting recruitment for Singapore, but was soon deployed to support my company regionally. I also assisted in managing our recruitment channels, such as our LinkedIn Job Channels and our Internal Employee Referral Programme.

My current role is largely similar to what I did as an intern, with more breadth and more opportunities to hire senior roles in the company. I am also now involved in other projects involving different stages of the employee lifecycle as well.

How did your internship experience help you transition to your current role?

My internship experience really helped me acclimatise quicker and better into my current role, especially now where almost everything has moved to remote-working arrangements. However, keeping asynchronous communication arrangements with the team was tough when I was a fresh graduate trying my best to learn as much as I could in my new role.

My takeaway I do not think there is a formula or “go-to steps” on securing a conversion from an internship. Being a recruiter has taught me that, apart from having a headcount for the role and having the technical skills the company is looking for, a huge part of hiring is also assessing the cultural fit with the team, as well as with the company.

I think what one can really do is to put their best foot forward, and work in a style that ultimately complements the team while being comfortable with that style as well. After all, you want to work in an environment where you can be comfortable, yet feel challenged and stretched to enhance your growth and learning at the end. I hope these thoughts help in your future internship experiences!

Some words of advice Be open-minded and receptive to any learning opportunities given to you. You do not have to do what you only signed up for, so get the most out of it in your short stint with the company! Do not be afraid to ask about anything you are unsure of too; remember that you are there to learn, and clarifying your doubts will help you and them as well.

Most importantly, have fun and make meaningful connections. You never know where they can bring you in the future!

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Seetoh Kian Wai BA in Sports Studies and Marketing, SIM-University of Stirling Previous role: Business Development Intern Current role: Operations Executive, WhyQ My role I joined WhyQ as a Hawker Captain, which requires me to purchase up to 80 food orders con-currently within a single hawker centre, and coordinate the dispatch of these orders to the delivery partners. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of orders received through the phone but, as I gained more experience, I started to look for ways to streamline the entire operations process.

After three months, I was offered a conversion to the role of Business Development Intern. There, I was thoroughly involved in the onboarding of new Hawker centres and pushing to reach out to more business initiatives. This experience ignited my passion for the hawker business even further.

In my current role as Operations Executive, I lead a team in spearheading island-wide fleet management, along with a heavy focus on driving automation throughout the operations process to constantly streamline and upgrade the on-the ground operations of other WhyQ Hawker Captains.

How did your internship experience help you transition to your current role?

I completed a two-month full-time internship, as well as a nine-month part-time internship prior to my conversion to full-time role at the height of the COVID outbreak.

I believe it started with the drive to learn and to maximise time outside of regular school curriculum in order to put myself in a position where I could compete with local university graduates. Throughout my internships, I gained valuable experience that were directly transferable to my current job scope in WhyQ. This relevant experience played a huge part in my subsequently securing a full-time role.

How did you manage to secure this conversion?

I attribute this to lots and lots of on-the-job experience! It is really not about what degree you hold, but rather how you shine during your interview and your performance throughout your internship. You have to work to the point where the company needs you instead of you desperately scraping to find a job.

What impact do you think your student life involvement had on your conversion?

Years invested in competitive canoeing shaped me into a student athlete who constantly seeks areas of improvement, and developed my ability to work under stress in a fast pace environment.

With help and exposure from SIM, I learnt a lot about job hunting, especially in the areas of resume writing, updating my LinkedIn profile and my interview skills. With SIM Career Connect’s help, I also exposed myself to various job opportunities in the job market before choosing which job scope suited me the best.

Some words of advice Always take the initiative! Never think of yourself as just an intern, but a valuable asset to the company!

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Management Trainee Programme vs SGUnited Traineeship vs Apprenticeship Find out what sets these different programmes apart from each other, and find out if you are suited to them!

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coping out full-time positions and settling in to a coveted role is a common route many choose upon graduation. But although that is the most well-trodden path, there are other options as well, such as apprenticeships and trainee programmes. Read on to find out about these programmes, their differences and how they may benefit you in your career journey!

Management Trainee Programmes

SGUnited Traineeships Programme

Typically designed to develop future managers, Management Trainee (MT) Programmes place emphasis on developing the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective manager. Although it is a fairly new concept, many top employers have picked up this technique in order to train employees within their ranks.

Although this sounds very similar to that of an internship, it is important to note that if you are accepted by an MT programme, you will be recognised as full-time staff, with the accorded benefits, and will be often asked to helm projects essential to the firm’s success. Because you will often find yourself in positions of leadership, though, you will also be frequently evaluated, though these assessments tend to be industry-specific. Evaluated progress normally dictates the duration of each phase of training.

Open to graduates and students who will soon be convocated, the SGUnited Traineeships Programme aims to develop skills in a professional environment over a period of up to nine months, even in the current economic climate.

Like MT programmes, trainees will be equipped with valuable industry experience, though unlike MT programmes, they may not be converted to full-time staff upon completion. However, the skills and experience gained through the traineeship will help you gain a firmer foothold in the in the job market.

On top of valuable skills, experience and knowledge, you can also look forward to receiving a training allowance over the duration of their programme.

Apprenticeship Like MT programmes and the SGUnited Traineeships Programme, apprenticeships also aim to impart professional skills and experience. Where they differ, however, is that apprenticeships prepare graduates for specific, highly-skilled roles within a company.

Should you choose to immerse yourself in your chosen field from the very beginning and pursue an apprenticeship, you will quickly find yourself in role that combines paid work with intensive on-the-job training. As firms normally create their own apprenticeship programmes, you will find yourself deeply involved in the business side of things alongside related instruction, whether on-the-job, in the company’s own classroom, or even online.

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MANAGEMENT TRAINEE PROGRAMME

Foo Shao Kai BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL DHL AGILE Graduate Associate, Project Management Office, DHL My role I was required to apply different project management tools for governance and conducting due diligence for various projects in the APAC region. This required me to cultivate good time management, stakeholder management and prioritisation skills in order to ensure projects were reported timely and accurately.

Moreover, I had the opportunity to be attached to a five-week warehouse programme with Dell to learn more about operations and supply chain logistics. I was also attached to a real-life case project, where I worked with a team of different project managers, giving me valuable exposure.

Why did you opt to apply for, or accept, this programme over other roles?

I applied for an MT programme because of the various learning and growth opportunities offered. I wanted to be a part of the inclusive working culture at DHL too, which inspired me to join the organisation. My MT programme also offered mentoring sessions and coaching from seniors and managers, so we could learn and adapt well in the new working environment, as well as cultivate a good habit of continuous learning for holistic growth.

What was the selection process like, and do you have any tips on how to ace it?

The whole application process involved five key stages. The first stage involved an individual assessment, where I presented my views in PowerPoint slides, followed by a virtual video interview whereby I answered eight questions, with two to three minutes allocated to each question.

Once I was shortlisted, I had a Skype interview with human resources and a hiring manager. The last round was the assessment centre, where there were three phases: A group case study, individual presentation and speed interview with a panel of interviewers.

My advice is to try your best to enjoy the process and be yourself throughout the assessment. It is alright to feel nervous, but do try to smile as it helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Lastly, try to stand out from the rest by cultivating a structured thought process and clarity in presenting. Do also dress well during the interview to portray a good and smart image.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition?

I think what made me stand out was being genuine and sincere throughout the application process and assessment centre. Being proactive and participating actively during the assessments is also a good way to show your eagerness and interest in the company.

Furthermore, by believing in your own set of values, much like being empathetic and respectful, is a good way to show others that you are a mature individual with a firm, strong set of beliefs.

What were some challenges you faced in your current role and how did you overcome them?

One of the challenges I faced was identifying and prioritising important tasks from the rest of the remaining tasks. But by keeping an end in mind and looking at the big picture, I could pinpoint critical and important tasks.

Another challenge was to embrace the steep learning curve and adapting to the new role and working environment. There were many tools and things to learn and pick up within in a short period of time. Hence, making notes, being proactive and planning your time wisely are ways in which to track your learning progress.

Some words of advice Apply to as many programmes as you can. Do not be afraid to learn from your mistakes and take each rejection as key learning steps towards your end goal. If you need help for interviews and assessment centre, SIM Career Connect has many programmes and coaches who can provide you the career advice and trainings you need. Lastly, be yourself and do not give up. When one door closes, you will never know which door awaits with a better opportunity.

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SGUNITED TRAINEESHIP PROGRAMME

Lai May Yee BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Associate, Tata Consultancy Services My role I am currently undergoing an IT traineeship, specialising in Cloud. We are provided with a timetable to follow strictly, where we are exposed to different skills such as CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and even agile methodologies. The most recent project that I was involved in, was an idea generation of a one-stop app for the elderly. We planned and designed the basic functions as well as the roadmap for the application.

It was an interesting, yet eye-opening experience, as we got to showcase our project to Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information in the presence of media, such as Channel News Asia.

Why did you opt to apply for, or accept, this programme over other roles?

Prior to this, I took up roles in marketing that ranged from fashion apparels to lifestyle products. Through them, I have learnt the ways of advertising, copywriting and optimising SEO and SEM to improve brand outreach.

However, in this time and age, with so much uncertainty, the only certainty is change. I wanted to try out IT consulting as I knew that I was lacking in the essential skills in this ever-evolving digital era. Luckily, I stumbled upon their job advertisement on our Career Connect Telegram channel, which stated that students from all disciplines were welcome, so I went ahead to apply without any hesitation.

What was the selection process like, and do you have any tips on how to ace it?

The advent of technology brought about many conveniences to our world and will continue to do so in the future. I have always been intrigued by advanced technology, and hope to one day contribute to this field in some way.

In my second year of university, I took a leap of faith and signed up for a C++ class during my summer exchange. Even though it was only a one-month long programme, I learnt quite a fair bit. I also took up free online courses such as basic Java and consulting internships from various consulting firms during the Circuit Breaker. That was when I considered a career as an IT consultant and started to look for jobs in that sector.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition?

I attribute this to my past experiences and internships. Due to my vast experience in fashion apparels and lifestyle products, I learnt much more than just traditional marketing. As these organisations were both start-ups, we had to be more independent and resourceful.

I also believe that companies have evolved in their hiring processes, and it is no longer pegged to academic success as it always was. This company is forward-thinking and values essential soft skills apart from academic performance. Despite having almost no IT background, the stints I had in different industries might have been that edge that singled me out, as consultants work with companies of different industries.

What were some challenges you faced in your current role and how did you overcome them?

This role is very different compared to my previous ones. Hence, the steep learning curve is, without a doubt, on the top of my list. I kept myself in check with self-motivation and discipline, and was not afraid to ask my batchmates for help. There is no shame in not knowing!

We must learn to be resourceful, judge the credibility of information online and piece knowledge together. No matter what I do, I would always look for the answers to my questions online and try to understand them to the best of my ability before asking my peers!

Some words of advice The best time to prepare and start working towards your dream job is when you are still studying! First and foremost, find out what kind of jobs are available. You may be surprised to learn of jobs which you never knew existed. Search up the job description of the role, take note of the skills needed and start taking certified courses. If you do not know what you want to do in the future, just try out different internships over your study breaks. Eliminate the jobs that you dislike and slowly work your way through.

Do not be disheartened if you do not get you dream job right after you graduate too. Grab the right opportunities and gain experience while navigating your way there. Have faith in yourself and all the best!

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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APPRENTICESHIP

Vanessa Ng BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Human Resource and Corporate Communications Apprentice, L’Oréal My role I

I was actively involved in recruitment and campus attraction activities. Also, I got to spearhead employer branding initiatives and drive employee engagement activities across L’Oréal Singapore.

Over the past year, I had the opportunity to work on various projects, including L’Oréal Brandstorm – the world’s largest student case competition. My daily scope also allows me to partner very closely with various functions across the business.

Why did you opt to apply for, or accept, an apprenticeship over other roles?

I have always dreamt about building my career in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) beauty industry. Upon graduation from university, I chanced upon L’Oréal’s Apprenticeship programme in the middle of my job hunt. Having heard so much about L’Oréal’s strong entrepreneurial and growth culture even during my school days, I knew I wanted to kickstart my career at L’Oréal and join the family.

I was particularly attracted to the structure of the apprenticeship programme as it is a one-year attachment to a function, where you get to collaborate and learn from many stakeholders, all while experiencing what it is like day-to-day at the world’s foremost beauty company.

What was the selection process like, and do you have any tips on how to ace it?

At the first stage of the recruitment process, I had to submit a self-introductory video. Thereafter, I was shortlisted for an interview with the hiring managers.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants, considering the tough competition?

I believe my passion, resilience and strong desire to learn convinced the hiring managers that I could potentially excel in this role.

Conducting prior research on the job scope and company also allowed me to better position myself and to showcase my strengths during the interview.

Always ensure that you do your research about the company and understand the job description in detail. Remember to share your personal and work experiences during the interview and how you can potentially add value to the role that you are applying for.

Most importantly, be confident!

What were some challenges you faced in your current role and how did you overcome them?

I struggled with time management at the start of my apprenticeship. As a fresh graduate who just set foot in the corporate world, it took me a while to adapt to the working climate. However, with close guidance and continuous support from my team, I adapted quickly and expedited my learning.

Some words of advice My apprenticeship was an enriching year for me. It was definitely about the freedom to keep growing everyday here at L’Oréal. From the start, I was given a lot of autonomy and responsibilities that expedited my learning. As a fresh graduate, this apprenticeship was a crucial stepping stone for me as I jump-started my career, opened doors to opportunities and even got to collaborate and learn from the most passionate people in the industry.

Stay close to your goals and never give up on working towards your career aspirations. Explore work opportunities and expand your network while you are in university. Be proactive, always keep an open mind to learning new things and never give up!

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Project Protégé Committing to an internship can give you an edge over other graduate applicants; on top of giving you the chance to gain valuable experience, it is also an opportunity for you to develop the skills and qualities employers look out for.

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roject Protégé is a four-month mentorship programme for SIM students. Through this collaborative partnership between Learner Advisory & Career Centre 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. The mentors are from diverse industries with the multitude of experiences will be involved in sharing their valuable professional expertise, career advice, as well as job search strategies.

Since June 2012, close to 100 mentors and 400 students have participated in this programme.

In 2018, Alumni Engagement partnered with CPA Australia and Young NTUC to bring 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.

NEW The Project Protégé Alumni Edition was launched in 2019 to provide career guidance to our mid-career alumni who are seeking career progression and/or a switch in career.

The latest edition launched in 2020 was the Project Protégé International Edition. This programme is aimed at helping our international students who are preparing to return home to pursue their careers upon their completion of studies. The alumni in their home country will serve as career mentors to help them ease into their country’s unique current industry trends and demands.

The ultimate aim for Project Protégé is to enhance personal development, career readiness and employability of our students, as well as develop the SIM professional network between students, alumni and the industry.

Project Protégé Alumni Edition – Speed Networking in Progress

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Project Protégé International Edition

Timeline and Deliverables

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

Kick-off Event

Joint Goal Setting

Culmination Event

Mentor-Mentee Pairing

Contact Time with Mentees (min.4 hrs)

Reflection

Career-related workshop/ personality profiling (Mentees)

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Mentor’s Appreciation

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Global Learning Global Learning starts with you Global Learning refines each learner’s global edge across the dimensions of Global Competence, Creative Intelligence, Social Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership. Through experiential learning, learners co-create learning opportunities to learn and develop the competencies needed to confront ethical and/or meaningful challenges to do purposeful, responsible and high-quality work. These dynamic hands-on programmes disrupt traditional learning models to empower every learner to achieve day-to-day excellence in all aspects of life – educational, vocational and social.

Study Abroad (SA) With 20 partner universities worldwide (including Berkeley, Cambridge, Korea University, LSE, Ritsumeikan APU and UCLA), students have the opportunity to explore diverse courses and engage in discourse with an international pool of academics.

Global Learning Society (GLS)

Summer School Singapore (SSS@SIM) The leaders of tomorrow must operate in a global context, within increasingly complex ecosystems and collaborate across boundaries of all kinds. The SSS@ SIM is an intensive three-week global experience programme in Singapore that helps students build global-ready mindsets, knowledge and skills, preparing them to thrive in a global community. Be amazed over and again by this journey of self-discovery.

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BE GLOBAL! GLS members will have the opportunity to embark on their own projects, take up structured volunteer opportunities such as conducting 21st century skill workshops and be attached to SSS@SIM as hosts for foreign students. As a group, members get together for ideation jams to brainstorm on ways to value-add to the SIM community while extending the mission of Global Learning.

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Yeo Shun Yuan BA in Sociology, SIM-UB Destination: The United Kingdom (London School of Economics and Political Science) My experience I had the opportunity to attend the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the summer, and it was one of the best experiences in my life. Situated in central London, I got to see how vibrant and diverse the city is, from watching world-acclaimed West End musicals to experiencing the colourful nightlife in Piccadilly Circus. During weekends, escaping the city life was a refreshing experience. The Brighton Pride Parade was eye-opening, seeing Stonehenge and the City of Bath was exhilarating, and as a Harry Potter fan, going to the Warner Bros. Studio was a dream come true!

My takeaway I took the Public Policy Analysis module and gained a lot of valuable insights on what goes on during policymaking and the many considerations of a government. Learning in a world-class institution together with classmates from all over the globe was incredible too. Not only did I get a glimpse of their culture, making international friends and bonding over food and activities was the highlight of my summer exchange. One of my Italian friends was even surprised that Singapore has restricted areas for smoking, and we cannot drink in public after 10:30 PM!

How has this experience equipped you better for the working world?

This global exposure has definitely broadened my horizons – the knowledge I acquired gave me a better understanding of my career goals and expanded my experiences beyond Singapore. Doing projects with friends from different nationalities gave me a taste of overcoming differences because of our varied social backgrounds. Outside of school, I learnt the art of work-life balance, and was impressed by how people can creatively and freely express themselves. Above all, I realised we have more similarities than differences, even if we are miles. All of us just want to create a happier future in the world we live in!

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Natalie Anthea Ow Ying Ting BA in Communication, SIM-UB Destination: South Korea (Korea University) My experience This experience provided me with opportunities to broaden my knowledge in areas such as Korean history and new media through specialised modules offered. I also forged lifelong friendships with fellow students from around the globe. We bonded over sitting on thrilling amusement rides at Lotte World, playing futuristic virtual reality games at the Monster VR park and watching an entrancing hologram musical at the SMTown Coex Artium. Fond memories of feasting on sumptuous ddeokbokki (Korean rice cakes) or even belting out notes at noraebang (karaoke) together with newfound friends will forever remain etched in my mind.

My takeaway Studying in South Korea opened my eyes to not just the country’s deeply rooted culture, but also widened my horizons beyond Singapore’s borders. I learnt to acclimatise and adapt to the local way of life through honing my Korean language skills and picking up social etiquette such as bowing to greet elders. Navigating through unfamiliar grounds not only allowed me to explore new sights, but also instilled independence, resilience and self-confidence in me. Encounters with locals and fellow international students also gave me insights into diverse world perspectives and deepened my understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

How has this experience equipped you better for the working world?

Above all, Korea University provided me with experiences that allowed me to spread my wings and grow personally through developing valuable life skills. I have become more independent and adaptable to new and unexpected circumstances through living abroad. Interactions with individuals of diverse backgrounds built invaluable friendships and developed deeper crosscultural understanding. Furthermore, my communication skills and self-confidence were boosted by learning a new language.

These made me realise that the world is truly our oyster, and that adventures out of our comfort zones are the best ways to learn about ourselves and the world around us.

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Explore the World with AIESEC

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IESEC is the world’s largest youth-led organisation, currently present in more than 120 countries all across the globe.

AIESEC continuously strive to achieve peace and fulfilment of humankind’s potential by placing confidence in youth as the key to unlock a better future. In addition, AIESEC believes that leadership is the fundamental solution and it can be developed in anyone.

The organisation provides youths with the opportunity to embark on a cross-cultural exchange in the form of global volunteer or global talent. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, AIESEC instead has shifted its focus to enhancing membership experiences through leadership opportunities to empower youth.

Here is what one of our current members as well as a previous Exchange Participant have to say about their AIESEC experiences.

For enquiries, email us at aiesec.sim@aiesec.net or aiesec@mymail.sim.edu.sg

Global Volunteer (GV) Programme is an opportunity for students to make a social impact through overseas volunteer projects based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. They involve working on diverse community projects and in different organisations. Projects include teaching, promoting HIV/ AIDS awareness, working in human rights, environmental sustainability, leadership development and more

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Global Talent (GT) and Global Entrepreneur (GE) Programme are overseas professional internships in established companies and startup 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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Daryus Patel BSc in Business Management, SIM-UOL Outgoing Global Exchange Team Leader My motivation to participate in an AIESEC programme I joined AIESEC to experience something new and unique, and because the values of the organisation matched with mine.

I learned about the impact they have on youth across the world, and thought it would allow me to develop myself while helping those around me.

How did the pandemic impact your experience> How did you overcome this challenge?

With the pandemic halting our core operations, I initially believed that I would have nothing to do. However, several opportunities presented themselves every month, giving me the chance to engage in both local and international events.

Through these events, I even managed to get an internship during the pandemic, which further helped me develop professionally!

What kind of skills were you able to develop while in AIESEC, and how can they be useful for your future?

I developed a large variety of skills throughout my experience, from learning how to lead a team to delivering projects, to pitching to a company. I believe these transferable skills will be useful in my future workplace.

Would you recommend your friends to join AIESEC, and why?

Yes, I would recommend that you and your friends join AIESEC due to the people, opportunities and impact the organisation has. AIESEC in SIM has a caring and nurturing community who put others needs above their own. Opportunities that directly impact youth are plentiful in AIESEC, and I strongly encourage others to try them out!

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Jonas Ho Jia Hao BSc Economics and Finance, SIM-UOL Destination: United States of America Global Talent Programme My motivation to participate in an AIESEC programme AIESEC has a global reach, so it provides a good opportunity to be involved in a global network. More importantly, AIESEC promotes the mobility of people around the world, which is especially valuable to students who are just experiencing adulthood.

My most memorable experiences and challenges Travelling to many of the places that I have dreamt of seeing! I remember walking up the flight of stairs at a subway in New York and onto the streets, and thinking to myself: “This is it!”

However, living in a foreign country can be frustrating when dealing with official documents for the government. Some examples are the social security applications and taxes here; many of us had issues with our official names on government papers because of the mix up between middle and last names, and had problems filing taxes because the tax laws are complicated.

My takeaway Having had interactions with many nationalities within AIESEC, at my job, and from travelling, I have come to appreciate that the world is vast and customs and traditions of another person from another country can be foreign – yet we are really all the same as humans. We have dreams, we love, we hate, we cry and we laugh the same way regardless of geography.

A word of advice Work hard, be prepared and be kind to one another. Opportunities will come, and when they do, grab them!

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Managing Your Wellness for Success

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ellness is about being positive and proactive to make choices for a healthy lifestyle.

Student Development aims to facilitate a wellness journey for our students that is purposeful and effective in helping students not just overcome challenges, but also to achieve quality outcomes in their academic studies, at work and in life.

In addition to programmes and resources to equip students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for healthy living, Student Development also provides counselling services and peer support to students who face challenges and need help, as well as a whole range of activities to choose from.

Nature Reserve Walks

Enhancing wellness through workshop and activities

Expressing and Discovering Self Through Art

StrengthsFinder Workshop Series

Talking to Strangers

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Building Healthy, Nurturing and Supportive Relationships

Social Integration Programme – Breaking Boundaries@SIM [Online Version]

Zoom & Ungloom, Aug 2020 [Online version of Tea Party]

SIM Peer Mentors 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, or need help, and be the bridge between the latter and the counsellor; and • Befriend and provide support to new international students in their transition and integration to life in Singapore and SIM.

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Job Searching: The Ultimate Guide As you step out into the working world as a recent graduate, make sure you know the various job portals and routes available, and explore all your options to get the best chance of finding what you are looking for.

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here are a number of paths you can consider when looking for a job as a graduate. While one of the most common methods for applying for jobs is undoubtedly through the internet, there are a variety of other options available, so do not be afraid to make use of them too.

Go online With so many online career portals, you can take your pick, though you should ensure that the ones you join and subscribe to are the ones that suit you best. Gradsingapore.com, for instance, curates both jobs and internships, and is considered a beneficial and helpful resource for those who are both in the early stages of their career or fresh graduates.

Company websites and company social media pages are options as well, and on top of showcasing available vacancies first-hand, often offer a peek into their work culture. Some platforms also give insider information about a company’s culture and recruitment process, and give insights into hiring trends while also granting exposure.

Consider Job search portals Career exploration platforms Sector specific portals Company websites and social media pages Professional networking platforms

Go old school Although not a popular method any longer, employers do still place advertisements for various positions in printed publications. Graduate hiring schemes are also occasionally featured.

Consider Newspapers Industry publications

Career services on campus There is no need to be afraid of approaching your career centre on campus grounds. After all, the contacts and resources they can offer you may be more specific and targeted to your course of study.

Be transparent when you speak to your career counsellor so they have a better idea on how to help you. If you are facing any challenges in your job hunt, they are the people best suited to guide you.

Consider Using the wide range of contacts and resources you can leverage on in your career centre Making your aspirations and goals clear to your career counsellor Attending mentoring and networking sessions they organise

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Network Career fairs Whether you choose to attend career fairs on campus or in public, go in with a strategy in mind.

Bring copies of your resume, as well as name cards, if you have any. After the event, be sure establish your connection with your new contacts through email. In the note, include any interesting points of conversation you may have had to help the recruiter remember you out of the many faces they may have met that day. Send your resume across one more time over the email, and add in the links to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile as well. Do the same if the event was virtual.

Consider

Many young jobseekers and graduates profit from networks, both personal and professional, when looking for their first job.

It is not just about what you know – it is about who you know.

Consider Keep in touch with old contacts Make new contacts Avoid burning bridges Never turn down a chance to network, whether it is in a personal or professional setting

Find out which employers are going to be there, and prepare some questions you would like to ask them

Internships

Bring copies of your resume to hand out to prospective employers

Work placements and internships can lead to full-time positions, especially if you have proven yourself to be a good fit for the company and get along with your co-workers well.

Email your new contacts after the event

Recruitment services Another way to get suitable job offers is to engage recruitment consultation services. Although you will have pay a certain sum, you will be able to meet up with them for consultations to discuss your professional goals and use their connections to potential employers.

Consider Although you will have to fork out some cash, recruitment services are a valuable resource They can offer you information on how to prepare for assessments and interviews

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Consider Write in to prospective employers even if they are not advertising vacancies Show your interest in the company Indicate you have a solid understanding of their field Prove that you are what they need

Apply speculatively Enquiring with a company about available job positions is known as applying speculatively. This method has the potential to show that you have a strong interest in the company, though you will need to indicate your understanding of their field and why you are what they are on the lookout for.

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Top 3 Things to Look Out for in a First Job The right first job can kick-start a successful journey ahead.

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ou are just about to finish your final semester in university. Your parents have been pressuring you to start job hunting, and your friends are knee-deep in churning out multiple job applications. And you have decided that it is time to think about what you want for your first job.

But where should you even start? Getting your first job right, without knowing what to expect, can be daunting. So, make it a point to start your job search with a clear mind. Otherwise, you might find yourself approaching your job search process the wrong way. Do not panic and take your time to really think about what you want.

To help you get started, here are three considerations you should keep in mind when taking your first step into the professional world:

Future opportunities “Where will this career path or job lead me?” is a question that you should ask yourself before you decide to apply for a job.

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 can lead you to more opportunities in the future and help you achieve your long-term career goals.

This usually means career advancement opportunities and higher levels of responsibilities offered to you as your career progresses within your company. You can start by researching the typical career progression pathways for the job you want to pursue and the specific field you want to work in.

If you already have a specific employer in mind, you can do some background research on employees that currently work, or have worked, in the company. One way to do this is to go on the company’s LinkedIn page and check out its employees’ profiles to look at their career history. You may be able to see their progression pathways and get an idea of the kind of opportunities that lie ahead if you do land a job there.

Alternatively, during the interview stage, you can ask the recruiter about career advancement routes offered internally.

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Professional training and growth Another thing to consider is how the job or your prospective employer can help you grow professionally. Your first job should be a chance for you to learn as much as you can, so you might want to look for a company that provides training or mentorship to graduates and newcomers. You can ask about training opportunities straight off the bat during the job interview with your prospective employer.

Does your employer believe in spending time and effort to show and teach newcomers 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 into the deep end and letting them swim on their own?

Although some may prefer the former way of learning, you must first figure out which method you prefer. Whatever your inclination, it is still important to understand the initiatives the employer practises to ensure that their employees continue to learn and grow professionally.

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Other skill sets Your course of study may have equipped you with a specific skill set, such as search engine marketing (SEM) skills for marketing or programming languages for software engineering.

While it is beneficial for you to expand on your existing skill set on the job, it is also crucial to think about building other transferable skills. For instance, communication skills and the ability to work in a team.

As mentioned before, your first job is your golden opportunity to gain as much knowledge and skills as you can. You also need to think about diversifying your skills, especially transferable ones, so that you can become a more well-rounded and marketable individual. This is especially important if you are looking to join another company in the future.

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One way to find out if your prospective employer or role will allow you to pick up other competencies outside your current skill set is to ask about how teams work in the company. Do departments work independently or together as a collaborative effort? Will your role involve interacting and working with other departments?

Exposure to cross-departmental tasks will allow you to learn different skills while routine tasks may limit you to only one specific skill set. Hence, it is crucial to have a good understanding of the role on offer.

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Rules of Getting Hired It is important to do the necessary groundwork before you start your job search.

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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

Rule 2: Build your network

Job hunting is so much more than just churning out applications to prospective employers. Your preparation should begin even when you are still in school as it will take time for you to gain industry knowledge and build the right connections.

These two factors are especially important as they will greatly help you get hired.

Networking is a great way to learn about a particular industry and scout around for job opportunities that may not be advertised. It is also an excellent way to meet people with similar professional interests and career goals.

Research is important

Widen your network

• Do not wait until the application process is underway 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.

• Families and friends are the easiest way to start growing your network. You can tell them about your career plans and who knows – they might connect you with an important contact that could help you in your job application.

• Understand the job market and manage your expectations about different roles. This will help you plan your education and career, especially when you are applying for internships or picking majors.

• Keep in touch with contacts from past work experiences or internships through platforms like LinkedIn or even over email.

• 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 the recruitment process.

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• Attend networking sessions student clubs or societies organise, or look at event platforms that promote sessions based on collective interests.

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Rule 3: Expand your job search To truly optimise your job search process, do not 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.

Do not limit your job search • Instead of staking all your hopes on big and popular employers, consider applying to roles in both big and small companies. As a fresh graduate trying to get ahead in your career, you should 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 are keen on picking up. List them down for reference as you trawl through job sites while doing your research.

• Not all job vacancies are advertised, so do not restrict your search to just job portals. You could look for leads on the employers’ websites, or send in speculative applications to showcase your interest in working for specific employers.

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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 do not let opportunities slip away!

Persevere • Regardless of the economic climate, you should remain positive about your job hunt. Be patient and keep 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 may be rushing to fill the position. Do not risk losing out!

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5 Essential Soft Skills As a graduate fresh out of university, there is a tendency to focus on sector-specific and academic skills. However, remember that graduate recruiters are looking beyond that: It is the non-academic soft skills – “transferable skills” – that will make you stand out from the rest.

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ransferable skills are skills that can be used in every sector, and include communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Here are five transferable competencies that most recruiters look for, as well as tips on how you can demonstrate each of them!

Teamwork skills

Commercial awareness

Aside from a few notable exceptions, modern employment largely involves team-based work.

Effective teamwork means knowing how to operate smoothly and efficiently with others as a collective group.

This will call upon your capacity to communicate well, negotiate and compromise as well as encourage and inspire your team members. Good teamwork is not only about having similar-minded people working together, but also motivating people with different strengths to work towards a common goal.

It is fine to talk about your personal contributions during a project but make it a point to talk about how the team managed to work together to achieve results as a group. If you have anecdotes about how your team pulled through a particularly difficult undertaking (e.g. tight deadlines), then all the better! Stories from your sports clubs, student societies, part-time jobs or any other experience will make for good accounts.

In essence, commercial awareness is the intersection between two areas of understanding: Familiarity with a company or organisation (i.e. its goals, objectives, products and services) and a grasp of broader industry trends out there in the market.

Recruiters want graduates who can put both of these factors together and figure out how external market forces may influence the organisation, as well as how the organisation can best thrive in the current market situation.

That said, commercial awareness takes time (and plenty of research!) to build. Here are some tips on how you can build up your knowledge on the employers you want to work for as well as the industries they operate in.

The company

The industry

Find out:

Find out:

• What the company does (products made/services provided)

• How the major players in the market are performing

• Its history and defining moments

• The past, in order to predict future trends

• Who its clients/customers are • Who its main competitors are

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• How to speculate intelligently about the future When speaking with interviewers, use words like, “I noticed some discussions about X trend and did some research on it”. Your initiative will definitely set you apart from other applicants!

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Emotional intelligence

Problem-solving skills Problem-solving ability may not be a criterion that employers will explicitly state as a job requirement, but it is something that they will expect out of all their applicants.

Someone with problem-solving skills will also generally have superior analytical and logical thought processes along with the capacity to think outside the box to find solutions to problems they encounter.

Recruiters will usually test for problem-solving skills during various stages of the application process such as through psychometric tests.

If you are asked to recount past problemsolving experiences, provide concrete examples to show recruiters how you resolved a situation. Your interviewers will be looking for insights into your thought process, so they will not be able to properly evaluate your ability if you are vague! The STAR Method is a great way to help you keep your responses succinct when you need to showcase your problem-solving skills in your applications:

S Describe the Situation.

T Describe the Tasks involved.

A What Actions you took.

R What Results you achieved.

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No matter how gifted you are, you will never get anything done if you do not know how to get along with your colleagues! That is why recruiters keep an eye out for emotional intelligence (also known as EQ) in graduate applicants. Emotional intelligence is all about your ability to perceive and evaluate other people’s emotions, and to assess and control your own under a variety of circumstances.

If the job you are applying for is a customer-facing role, then good emotional intelligence becomes even more important. Even if your job keeps you away from customers or clients, recruiters need to be assured that they are not hiring someone who does not know how to deal with others or, even worse, disruptive in the workplace.

For this particular competency, employers will be observing the way you conduct yourself – from the way you introduce yourself to others, to how you cope in social situations. Be prepared to be tested through psychometric tests, role plays and group activities.

Managing ambiguity A major part of your responsibilities at work will be making decisions even if you only have uncertain or incomplete information to go by. That is where the ability to manage ambiguity comes in: Recruiters want to see that you are bold enough to take action in uncertain situations, instead of sitting around paralysed and waiting for help.

This quality is crucial in fast-changing environments, such as FMCG, where decisions have to be made in a snap even when you do not have all the details. If you can make relatively accurate decisions even without the whole picture and adapt to the changing environment as you go along with your plan, then that is a good example of managing ambiguity.

Draw examples from your studies, extracurricular activities and previous work experiences. Was there an emergency where you had to make a snap judgement?

Be flexible during assessment exercises or case studies as well. Always be prepared to modify your plans to accommodate any new information or ideas. Come up with contingency plan Bs, Cs and Ds, too, if you can!

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Not in IT? Here are 5 Technical Skills You Still Need to Know About Many businesses embrace some sort of digitalisation at work. This means you need to adapt to using or at least be comfortable with technology at work, even if you are not in IT.

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ecause much emphasis is usually put on soft skills, ITrelated technical skills are generally not given priority if you are not working in the sector. However, with technology now playing such a vital and pivotal role in every aspect of almost every industry, you should consider picking up these skills, even if it is only at the basic level.

Coding Today, coding is almost as important as literacy, and knowledge of programming languages from HTML to Java can go a long way in helping your application.

While you do not need to be able to actually code – understanding the principles behind it is enough – employers have shown a marked preference for graduates who have an awareness of what goes on “behind the scenes” in applications and websites.

Example of how it is useful for you: If you are in the content creation sector, chances are you will need to publish your creations online. Knowing how to code just makes your job easier and lets your content look exactly the way you want it to on a website.

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Computational thinking Computational thinking – or programmatic thinking – is not a new concept, and if you have made use of big data, you have likely engaged in it. Moreover, while it is often thought to have robust links to the IT sector, this methodical and logical way of thinking is becoming increasingly common in industries such as marketing and advertising.

Someone familiar with computational thinking will have the habit of analysing and organising data in a logical way when reacting to a problem. As this method of thinking relies on data analysis and reason to resolve problems, you can start picking up this skill by viewing issues in a tactical, structured and organised manner.

An example of this method of thinking is to jot down all your concerns, separate them categorically, and then think of ways to solve them as quickly as possible. After the issue has been resolved, gather data on the most effective and efficient methods that helped you realise your goal.

Example of how it is useful for you: Being able to rationally think through a problem in a logical manner and come up with a probable solution is critical to succeed in the workplace. This is how you can take the first step into a leadership position.

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Data management and analytics

User experience

The term “big data” is bandied around almost everywhere today, but do you know what it even means?

Quite simply, big data is the colossal amount of data companies generate from their hardware, apps and websites to interpret and use.

Data management skills will be incredibly useful in this area, and can give you an edge over the competition as you will be able to assist companies in turning their big data into information they can use. If you are more proficient at managing big data, you will also be able to help businesses predict future trends.

User experience, or UX, is far more than making sure a product is palatable to the eye. It is about perceiving how design plays a part in customer interaction, as well as improvement. It also denotes an understanding of how customers use and value a product or service, along with their limitations and abilities.

A strong grasp of a company’s brand, aesthetics and usability is also needed, as is an awareness of current concepts and trends.

Example of how it is useful for you: If you are in the digital marketing sector, knowing how to manage data will help you decipher your target audience better and be a way for you to quantify the results of your work.

Example of how it is useful for you: Products that provide good user experiences tend to achieve better success. Only when customers are happy with using your products, will your business succeed.

Data visualisation A branch of visual communication, data visualisation helps others understand data with the use of visuals. It includes a solid understanding of a number of things, from the details of the data you are trying to pass on to how the target audience would consume this information, and which visual would comply best with its purpose.

Though it sounds much like plugging numbers into a graphs and charts, data visualisation is more than that, and people with skills and knowledge in this arena can often be found exploring new methods of simplifying and conveying complicated results and trends – culled from big data – to decision-makers and managers.

If these skills are not of crucial importance to your role at work, there is no need to spend too much time or money on it. You can start with the many free courses and readings available online for you to spend some time everyday learning a new skill. Just take the first step and you will eventually pick them up!

Example of how it is useful for you: Can you imagine wow-ing your team if you are able to present your ideas visually instead of in text like everyone else?

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4 Qualities Employers Look For Your paper degree may have helped you get one foot in the door, but you still need to impress interviewers with relevant qualities to get that coveted job.

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ccording to Oxford Economics’ Global Talent 2021, shifts are taking place in the global market structure. Survey participants identify advances in technology (42 per cent) and globalisation (41 per cent) as well as shifts in labour demographics (38 per cent), customer needs (38 per cent) and competition (38 per cent) as underlying forces that will have the biggest impact on their organisation’s talent requirements in the years ahead.

These developments are transforming business landscapes around the world, and altering both demand and supply of talent as employers begin to look for new skills in employees to manage these disruptions.

Yet, as of the time the survey was released, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had put the global unemployment rate at around five per cent as employers often cannot find people with skills suitable for the positions they are looking to fill – even though they are backed with the relevant paper qualifications.

As the global job market is expected to continue to evolve with growing competition and advancing technologies, another layer of complexity will be added, and firms are quickly switching hiring strategies to meet these challenges.

In this time of business landscape disruptions, these are the four fundamental qualities employers look for in candidates:

Agile and ng: nimble thinki

Digital skills:

• Ability to deal with complex and challenging issues.

• Social media-savvy.

• Innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

• Data analytics know-hows.

• An open-mind global thought process developed through experiences with different cultures, personalities and environments.

• Experience in industry software and systems.

• Foresight and ability to prepare for different outcomes and scenarios.

• Knowledge of coding, programming and development.

• Capabilities in digital design, management and analysis.

• Flexibility in challenging current proposals and offering better solutions.

1. Agile and nimble thinking

2. Digital skills

The first step to achieving this: Be a better listener. When you listen to people, market trends and challenges, you will be able to look at all the different perspectives, take in the industry knowledge and provide smart solutions.

The first step to achieving this: Adopt a lifelong learning attitude.

Take up courses, attend talks and look for reading materials that are relevant to your industry and develop your skills in that area.

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l and Interpersona on skills: ti communica • Develop relationship-building and teamwork skills.

• Brainstorming and co-creativity to lead to smart solutions.

• Ability to collaborate and work with others in executing projects and tasks.

• Having networking skills.

• Ability to communicate issues professionally.

4. Interpersonal and communication skills

Global skills:

• Develop your level of cultural awareness.

• Understand international business.

• Having professional linguistic knowledge to express yourself and communicate with your colleagues and managers.

The first step to achieving this: Make sure you can communicate across different platforms to practise getting your points across.

Even though many business meetings are now on virtual platforms such as Zoom, make it a point to not completely ignore face-to-face interactions.

A varied skill set will only serve you well in your career, and constant upskilling should be part of your professional development. These four fundamental skills are perfect to serve as the base of your upskilling journey – and it is never too late to start developing them!

• Being adaptable and able to work overseas.

• Ability to connect with and manage work relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

3. Global skills The first step to achieving this: Travel overseas and communicate with people from different backgrounds. Chat with new people, attend networking sessions and make new friends!

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Crafting Effective Resumes Here is a guide to writing effective resumes and putting together applications that work.

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esumes can come in a variety of formats, such as the chronological, skills-based, combination and alternative resumes. The most commonly used format is the chronological resume as it is reader-friendly and easily customisable. Each format has its pros and cons, so do your research and find out which one can best serve your needs before deciding on one.

Regardless of which type of resume you choose to use, the idea behind its presentation remains the same. What is more important is to adapt the various elements of the format and tailor its contents to highlight your skills and distinguish yourself from other applicants.

GOOD SAMPLE CAROL SUM Mobile: +65 8765 8903

1

Make your name stand out

Carol used a different font for her name, and enlarged and bolded it.

This ensures that it is the first thing a recruiter sees when they pick up her resume. Putting it in uppercase was a good move too, as it will make her resume easy to find amidst a stack of other documents.

1

E-mail: carol.sum@gmail.com

EDUCATION University of London Singapore Institute of Management • Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics (Hons) • Projected CGPA: 3.5/5

Aug 2018 – May 2021

2

Verbs are your best friends

Carol used action verbs and focused on her role and the results she achieved.

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Customer service officer, FeynM Company Jul 2019 – Dec 2019 • Project support in several investment projects.

• Liaised directly with customers in order to assist in better understanding their needs.

• Assisted customers with relevant queries on products.

• Conducted research on client portfolios.

• Prepared service and product recommendations reports for clients.

May 2020 – Nov 2020 MNF Company, Intern • Assisted on customising investment analytics suites for clients.

• Coded programmes to filter and analyse gathered data. 2 • Communicated directly with senior management during the customisation process.

3

Carol’s resume is effective in that it lets her results speak for themselves in solid terms (i.e. numbers and percentages).

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Treasurer, Economics Society Aug - Dec 2019 Singapore Institute of Management • Led a group of eight committee members to publicise society events, which successfully increased club membership by 20%. 3 • Encouraged club members to actively participate and help out in club events.

• Was in charge of the society’s budget, and managed resources.

Feb 2020 – Present Soccer Team Captain, Singapore Institute of Management • Currently playing on university team's first division. Led team to win the inter-university Lion Cup in 2015.

• Responsible for selecting and motivating team members, and organising and conducting bi-weekly training sessions.

• Liaised with team captains at other universities to coordinate practise matches.

• Liased with team captains at other universities to coordinate practice matches.

• • • •

Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Languages: Fluent in English and Mandarin (both spoken and written).

Enjoys outdoor sports, particularly soccer and Ultimate Frisbee.

Regularly participates in volunteer work.

REFERENCES 5 • Dr. Edwin Wong, senior lecturer, School of Business, Singapore Institute of Management

Tel: 9085 6721 Email: edwin.wong@sim.edu.sg

• Mr. Thomas Kumar, operations manager, MNF Company

Tel: 9983 7832

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Email: kumar.thomas@mnf.com

Be more than a worker

Carol also used her resume to reveal the breadth and depth of her skills, interests and hobbies that frame her positively. She also did not let her resume exceed two pages.

5

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 4

Results speak for themselves

Check with your referees

Carol included references to showcase her credibility as well.

Take note to be absolutely sure to consult all your referees before you nominate them, though!

Nothing ruins an application like an unprepared referee or an unfavourable reference.

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BAD SAMPLE CAROL SUM 1 Mobile: +65 8765 8903

E-mail: carol.sum@gmail.com

EDUCATION University of London Singapore Institute of Management • Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics (Hons) • Projected CGPA: 3.5/5

Aug 2018 – May 2021

Carol’s name does not stand out on her resume, so there is a chance employers will either overlook it or miss it altogether, especially if it is in a stack of other documents.

2 RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Customer service officer, FeynM Company Jul 2019 – Dec 2019 • Project support in several investment projects.

• Liaised directly with customers in order to assist in better understanding their needs.

• Assisted customers with relevant queries on products.

• Conducted research on client portfolios.

• Prepared service and product recommendations reports for clients.

May 2020 – Nov 2020 MNF Company, Intern • Assisted on customising investment analytics suites for clients.

• Coded programmes that helped in filtering data. 2 • Communicated directly with senior management during the customisation process.

Name fails to stand out

Lack of verbs

Carol displays some uncertainty, and shows a lack of action and achievement.

3

Unsubstantiated claims

This is just blatant self-promotion on Carol’s part. There is also no solid indication of results.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Treasurer, Economics Society Aug - Dec 2019 Singapore Institute of Management • I worked closely with some society members to successfully increase club membership. 3 • Encouraged club members to actively participate and help out in club events.

• Was in charge of the society’s budget, and managed resources.

Soccer Team Captain, Singapore Institute of Management Feb 2020 – Present • Currently playing on university team's first division. Led team to win the inter-university Lion Cup in 2015.

• Responsible for selecting and motivating team members, and organising and conducting bi-weekly training sessions.

• Liaised with team captains at other universities to coordinate practise matches.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 4 • •

Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Languages: Fluent in English and Mandarin (both spoken and written).

4

Lack of interesting additional information

Carol is more than just a potential employee. In this case, she could have used her resume to reveal the true breadth and depth of her skills, interests and hobbies, and use it to frame herself positively.

5

No referees

To boost her credibility, Carol should have included references.

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Other elements you should consider: Using the right font While you may think a unique font will make you stand out, it may put off employers instead, unless you are going for an alternative resume. Here are some examples of fonts that you should use and some that you avoid.

FFonts onts toto use: use: Arial: The standard sans-serif font. Arial’s clean, easyto-read feel makes it ideal for a resume. The font sizes 10 to 11 work just fine. Tahoma and Calibri are decent substitutes too.

Times New Roman: The standard serif font, Times New Roman is another safe bet that looks slightly more elegant than Arial. Some of the more ‘easygoing’ industries, like IT and media, might find Times New Roman to be too formal, however.

Verdana: Another common sans-serif font. If done correctly, Verdana can be used for a very classy effect even if you plan to create an alternative resume.

Fonts to to avoid: Fonts avoid: Comic Sans MS: The red-headed stepchild of modern fonts, the quirky but dreadfully overused Comic Sans has no place on a resume.

Monotype Corsiva: Unless you are applying for a job as a dramatic actor, Monotype Corsiva’s fancy flourishes are difficult to read and are more likely to annoy than impress a recruiter.

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Personal statements Graduates are often in doubt about personal statements (also known as a career aim, profile or mission statement).

What purpose does it serve and should it be included in their resume?

Our answer: A graduate’s resume typically does not need a personal statement because an effective one requires details that fresh graduates cannot provide.

Usually limited to only two to three sentences, good personal statements summarise your career goals as well as unique experiences, achievements and knowledge or skills that you can offer to your prospective employer.

These are details that you can only provide after having been in the workforce for some time.

Bridging offline and online With job search processes and recruiters increasingly moving online, it is a wise move to link your offline resume to your online profile – especially your LinkedIn profile or sites containing your work. It allows you to start interacting with potential employers even before the job interview, giving them an early overview of your past achievements.

When including the link of your LinkedIn profile to your resume, make sure to use the public profile’s URL address instead of the link in your browser’s usual URL box when you are logged into your account.

You can also customise your LinkedIn profile’s URL address to build your personal brand and make it more memorable to recruiters and networking contacts. You can do this through the “Privacy & Settings” section of your LinkedIn homepage.

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How to Write Effective Cover Letters If an employer requests a resume, they usually want a cover letter, too. Do not let go of this opportunity to showcase your skills and enthusiasm — it can make a big difference to the success of your job application!

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convincing cover letter should always accompany your resume when you apply for a graduate job. It is an extra opportunity to highlight your most relevant skills to recruiters and demonstrate your motivation and enthusiasm for the job. Here is our four-step guide to effectively sell your skills through your cover letter!

Step #1:

Get your opening right

After your salutations, inform the recruiter which job, internship or scheme you are applying for, where you saw it advertised and why you are applying. If the position has a reference number, it is always good to include that for their easy reference.

Always address your cover letter to a named contact.

Give the organisation a call to find out who you should address your job application to if a name is not given on the job advertisement or their website. Ensure you correctly address the person’s title, e.g. Mr, Miss, or even Dr. Some recruiters may feel quite strongly about how they are addressed.

Step #2:

Answer the question “Why you?”

The first paragraph or two should be about you.

Convince the employer why you are well-suited to the role by referring directly to the job description and concentrating on how you have the skills, abilities and/ or knowledge to excel in the role you are gunning for.

Mix evidence of specific skills and knowledge related to the job with anecdotes from your personal experience. At the graduate level, it is still fine to refer to work experience that is not directly related to the profession you are applying to, as long as you can show how that experience or skill can be transferred to the prospective job.

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Use examples from your experiences doing parttime jobs, extracurricular activities and academic work to demonstrate how you developed and practised skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and commercial awareness.

Avoid copying statements word-for-word from your resume. Think about how you can rephrase the information or expand on specific skills and achievements that match the needs of the role.

Step #3:

Then, answer the question “Why them?”

The next paragraph or so should explain why you are interested in both the job and the organisation.

What is it about the employer and/or the job that made you apply? This is your opportunity to customise your cover letter so that the recruiter knows your interest in the position, instead of blasting out cookiecutter resumes and cover letters to a dozen different companies.

Re-read the job ad and make sure you have done some background research into the organisation. This will help you tell the recruiter why you want to work for their company and why you are interested in this particular role.

If you prefer, you could even switch steps #3 with #2 around and write about why you are applying to the employer first. As long as you answer both the questions of “Why you?” and “Why them?” in your cover letter, the exact order does not matter.

Provide specific reasons when discussing your motivations for applying, such as the training they provide. Avoid turgid statements that could be said about pretty much any employer, such as “because you are a prestigious company”.

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Step #4:

Have a clear ending

Your closing paragraph should be strong, clear and short. Reaffirm your suitability for the role and your enthusiasm about working for the employer. State that you look forward to hearing from them and will be happy to provide any further information they need.

Do not forget to sign your letter as if you are sending it through the mail or delivering it in person!

Likewise, remember to type out your name if you are sending your cover letter by email. A cover letter should not be longer than one page.

Brush up on modern trends when it comes to writing business letters. For letters addressed to a named contact, finish with “Yours sincerely”. If you are addressing an unnamed contact, end with “Yours faithfully”.

GOOD SAMPLE 1

Carol Sum 17 Brooke Road Singapore 421564 Jonathan Han Recruitment Manager HR Department AX Bank 38 Marina Boulevard Singapore 018598

Make some calls to find out who you can direct your letter to. If you are unable to find a name, then use a specific job title instead (e.g. “To the Recruitment Manager”).

17 JANUARY 2021

Dear Mr. Han 1 I am applying for a position in your graduate management programme, 2 as advertised on AX Bank’s website. I will graduate in April 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics (Hons) from SIM-University of London and a projected CGPA of 3.5. I was encouraged to apply after speaking to Ms Tan, your Recruitment Executive, 3 at a talk given at my university.

My interest in business analytics was greatly increased during my second-year internship with MNF Company, a local SME that specialises in bespoke analytics. The stint was an eye-opener that exposed me to the variants of analytics theories and models used in the industry, such as investment analytics and enterprise optimisation. 4 I further developed my expertise by attending various lecture series and panel talks organised by the university, such as those given

by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Doug Laney 5 in the “Big Data, Game Theory, and Business Analytics Today” lecture series.

My part-time role as a customer service officer at FeynM Co. has also equipped me with good PR, communication and negotiation skills. As a project support in several investment projects, I was given the opportunity to liaise directly with customers and to assist in understanding their needs. Most memorable was my involvement in preparing a service and product recommendation report for a notable client after researching their portfolio. The skills I picked up and refined over the course of my part-time job will certainly lend themselves to the position in question. 6 I am also deeply involved in the Economics Society, where I work closely with a team of eight people to organise and execute promotional campaigns for our society’s events. My position as treasurer in the society also allowed me to develop and showcase my numerical abilities and understanding of business, especially in terms of financial planning and resource management.

I am sincerely excited to work for AX Bank because of your commitment to socially responsible investments, which I myself strongly believe in. I believe I will also benefit greatly from the rotational approach of your graduate management trainee programme as well as the overseas placements it offers.

Attached is my resume for your consideration. I am sure that you will find me to be an asset to your company. I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely Carol Sum

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2 Introduce yourself clearly in the first paragraph. Be sure to state the exact position that you are applying for.

3 It is alright to name-drop if you have had prior contact with the company’s representatives as this shows continuous interest. But be sure to get their business card!

4 Always mention specifics when promoting your skills and experiences. In this case, Carol gave some examples of analytics theories to show that she knows her stuff.

5 Use jargon and names of industrial figures sparingly, unless they are extremely wellknown.

6 Carol is selectively vague here since she may have to protect the confidentiality of these projects, but she boosts her credibility with details about her role. It would, however, be more effective if she could link it to the skills that she had listed before.

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BAD SAMPLE 1

Carol Sum 17 Brooke Road Singapore 421564 Jonathan Han Recruitment Manager HR Department AX Bank 38 Marina Boulevard Singapore 018598

If you are unable to find out who you can direct your letter to, use “To the Recruitment Manager”. “To Whom It May Concern” is rather awkward and does not state your purpose clearly.

17 JANUARY 2021

To Whom It May Concern 1 I am applying for a position in your graduate management programme, as advertised on AX Bank’s website. I will graduate in April 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics (Hons) from SIM-University of London and a projected CGPA of 3.5. I was encouraged to apply after speaking to one of your representatives 2 at a talk given at my university.

My interest in business analytics was greatly increased during my second-year internship with MNF Company, a local SME that specialises in bespoke analytics. The stint was an eye-opener that exposed me to the variants of analytics theories and models 3 used in the industry. I further developed my expertise by attending various lecture series and panel talks organised by the university, such as those given by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Doug Laney in the “Big Data, Game Theory, and Business Analytics Today” lecture series.

My part-time role as a customer service officer at FeynM Co. has also equipped me with good PR, communication, and negotiation skills. As a project support in several investment projects, I was given the opportunity to liaise directly with customers and to assist in understanding their needs. Most memorable was my involvement in preparing a report for MC Company after researching their portfolio. 4 I am also deeply involved in the Economics Society, where I work closely with a team of eight people to organise and execute promotional campaigns for our society’s events. My position as treasurer in the society also allowed me to develop and showcase my numerical abilities and understanding of business, especially in terms of financial planning and resource management.

I am sincerely excited to work for AX Bank because of your commitment to socially responsible investments, which I myself strongly believe in. I believe I will also benefit greatly from the rotational approach of your graduate management trainee programme as well as the overseas placements it offers.

Attached is my resume for your consideration. I’m sure that you’ll find me to be a committed, driven individual who can become an asset to your company. 5 I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely Carol Sum

2 It is better to name-drop if you have had prior contact with the company’s representatives as this shows continuous interest.

3 Always mention specifics when promoting your skills and experiences. Carol could have given some examples of analytics theories here to show that she knows her stuff.

4 Protect the confidentiality of past clients and projects by not mentioning their names. Instead, Carol should have focused more on her credibility in the role she played in the project by offering details. It will also be more effective if she could link it to the skills that she had listed before.

5 Cover letters should be treated as a formal business correspondence. Avoid contractions at all times, and get someone to proofread your letter for errors. Also, try to omit clichés such as “committed, driven individual”.

Common blunders • Using your cover letter to flatter recruiters and hardsell yourself; • Writing only one generic cover letter for multipurpose use. Each job posting has its own unique requirements, and you have to show that you have the relevant skills and experience; • Including cliché or umbrella statements; • Not mentioning your motivations or reasons behind pursuing the position you are applying for; • Leaving out past quantifiable results you have from past projects or internships; and • Talking about what the company can do for you, and not how you can value-add and contribute to the company.

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LinkedIn LinkedIn101: 101: How to Optimise Your Profile Time to step up your LinkedIn game and attract more recruiters to your page.

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t is no secret that LinkedIn is now one of the primary means employers use to look for new hires. With over 93 per cent of companies around the world using LinkedIn to make hiring decisions, it is critical that jobseekers have and maintain an account on the site to put themselves on the radar and apply to specific jobs.

However, simply creating a LinkedIn profile is not quite enough to make yourself stand out from millions of other users. You have to take things a step further to make your profile more attractive and searchable for recruiters.

Here are some basic and additional tips that will help give your profile that coveted “wow� factor:

Pick professional profile pictures Always remember that LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking platform, so make sure to choose your profile photo wisely! A professional-looking headshot is always a safe bet.

Include relevant information

The Basics

Just like what you would do with your resume, curate your achievements, qualifications and work experience that are relevant to the industry you wish to pursue your career in. For instance, if you are interested in digital marketing, you should highlight skills such as search engine optimisation (SEO) and SEM. There is a specific section in your LinkedIn profile where you can list down your other skills as well.

On the other hand, if you are looking to join a specific field, like the retail industry, it would be good if you could emphasise your work experience as a sales promoter, for example.

Grow your connections Once your profile is all set up and updated, the next step for you is to expand your connections. LinkedIn will prompt you to connect with people who you might know through the email account you use to sign in to LinkedIn or through mutual connections. Take advantage of this function and explore the possible contacts you can connect with.

When sending an invitation to connect with someone, give it a nice touch by dropping the person a personalised message. Also, if you have pending connection requests, remember to respond promptly and send them a thank-you message for reaching out.

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Get recommendations and endorsements If you have previous professional work experience, you can get your former manager or supervisor to write you a recommendation for your LinkedIn profile. Alternatively, you can get your peers or lecturers to write you one if your work experience is limited to school-related activities, such as school projects or student organisation activities.

You can further boost your profile by getting your former co-workers or peers to endorse the skills that you have added to your page. Do not forget to return the favour by endorsing theirs, too!

Use the professional headline function The professional headline is located right underneath your profile picture. This function presents the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your personal brand by putting in keywords that best define you.

Examples: • If you are a computer science graduate with work experience: “Tech whiz – Former programming & web developer intern – E-commerce industry” • If you are a student or graduate without professional work experience, you can include information about your degree and field of study. You can also specify the line of work and industry you aspire to be in: “English language graduate – Aspiring writer – Media industry”

Level Up Your LinkedIn Game

It is important to keep your headline succinct so that viewers can simply take one glance at your profile to get an idea of who you are professionally and whether you would be a useful connection to have, both for recruiting and networking purposes.

Personalise your summary section Similar to the headline function, you should include keywords in your professional summary that align with your personal brand. However, the difference between the two functions is that there is more room for you to sprinkle some personality in this section. Make this section sound interesting while remaining authentic.

Here is an example of a summary for an engineering graduate: “I am an electrical and electronic engineering graduate with an interest in making the world a better and safer place through automation and robotics. I am keen on an engineering role in the robotics industry where I am able to apply the knowledge and skills I have learned in university and my internship experience.

Aside from my interest in tech and robots, I enjoy competitive running and have won several medals in multiple marathons across Singapore and Malaysia. The tenacity and mental endurance I possess when I run are traits that I believe I can bring to the workplace. I enjoy the thrill of being challenged and I look forward to the challenges that my future employer will present to me.

If you would like to learn more about how my skills can bring value to your company (or hear about the 68 marathons I have participated in), please send an email my way.”

Participate actively Search for relevant groups such as organisations or interest groups that align with the causes you care about (e.g. animal rights groups or alumni groups) to get updated on the latest news and trends.

However, you should make it a point to chime in on discussions if your opinion or the information you provide can be of use to other users too. You never know – a group member who happens to be a recruiter may find your thoughts to be insightful and may want to connect with you on LinkedIn for a chat.

Also, you can interact with your connections by commenting on their statuses or simply start a discussion by posting a status. These activities will pop up on your connections’ newsfeed and will keep you on their minds. Remember to keep topics strictly professional and civil, though!

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How to Write a Professional Email When contacting recruiters, you should always use effective, simple and natural language to come off as mature and graceful. Follow this guide to use the email medium with elegance.

1. Use an appropriate email address If you do not have a professional-sounding email address hosted on a credible domain, it is time to create a new account. The new email address will need to contain your initials, either your surname or full name, and be free from references to your favourite puns, cartoons or games.

2. Write a clear subject line

5. Check for errors Do not just rely on autocorrect to spot your typos. Always reread your email draft for grammatical mistakes. Also, read it out loud, thinking from the recipient’s point of view.

6. Manage your email attachments effectively

A good subject line states the purpose of the email with the recipient in mind. An ideal subject line will be “Application for (Role) – (Your Name)”. Make sure you do not have typos in the subject line as that will make a very bad first impression!

Remember to enclose your attachments, whether they are your cover letter, resume or other documents requested for! When it comes to sending out a few large attachments, you can place them in a zip folder, or create links for downloads.

3. Address your email to the right person

7. Follow up promptly

You can either call the company or find out online who you should address the email to, instead of just stating “Dear Sir/ Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”. Most of the time, though, the name of the hiring manager is often on the job description and hiring notice.

You can also make a phone call to enquire about who you should be addressing the email to before sending it out.

Besides replying to emails from prospective employers swiftly, you should send them a follow-up note if you have not heard from them within the stated period in which you are expecting a reply. Similarly, you do not want to miss out on an interview opportunity or potential job offer just because you forgot to check your inbox!

4. Keep your message brief and professional Your email should be succinct. Avoid smileys, emojis and exclamation marks in your emails to recruiters and prospective managers even though you may be excited about applying for your dream job. Keep the note brief, respectful and professional.

Be sure to avoid using acronyms like “btw” and “FYI” as well.

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8. Craft an effective signature Lastly, your email signature should contain a link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio as well as your mobile number, especially for the first email to any professional contact.

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EXAMPLE OF A GOOD EMAIL To: jhan@axbank.com From: carol.sum@gmail.com Subject: Application for the graduate management programme – Carol Sum Dear Mr Han, I am interested in the graduate management programme at AX Bank, as advertised on LinkedIn. I have a 6-month internship experience at MNF Company, and related experience at FeynM Company. My attached resume and cover letter outline my qualifications for the role.

Thank you very much for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely, Carol +65 8765 8903 LinkedIn: @carol_sum

EXAMPLE OF A BAD EMAIL To: jhan@axbank.com From: carol.sum@gmail.com Subject: Applying for the graduate management programme Dear Mr Han, I want to apply for the graduate management programme at AX Bank, as advertised on LinkedIn. I think I am one of the best candidates for this position, as I have internship and other related experiences. My resume and cover letter are attached and show that I am qualified.

Thank you, and I hope to hear from you sometime.

Yours sincerely, Carol

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Dress to Win If you want to win, you have to dress the part first.

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here is no doubt that your resume and skill set are important. But, because first impressions are usually formed minutes into meeting someone, your presentation – from your posture to handshake – can make or break your application in an interviewer’s or recruiter’s eyes.

First impressions often stick and they can be formed through a multitude of ways: From your attire, appearance and even the way you approach others. This is often true in the case of recruiters who usually start assessing your suitability for the job right from the start. Immaculate ensembles imply enthusiasm for the position while sloppy attire may suggest disinterest; some interviewers may even interpret it as a form of disrespect.

This makes dressing well to win all the more vital during networking sessions and interviews in order to leave an impression that is not only good but lasting as well.

General Guide

Hair and makeup

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Her

• Keep your hair short, tidy and well-kept with your fringe out of your eyes. Refrain from dyeing it in shocking colours or putting it up in outrageous styles.

• To stay presentable and professional, keep your hair close to its natural colour and avoid adding eye-catching colours. Keep it neat by brushing it out or retaining your hair in a ponytail. Ensure your fringe does not fall into your eyes by styling or pinning it back.

• Keep your nails trimmed down to an acceptable length and consider investing in lip balm if your lips are prone to cracking when dry.

• If you intend to keep facial hair, keep it neat.

Otherwise, go with a clean-shaven look.

Attire

• If you are putting on makeup, go for a natural look as putting on too much makeup may unsettle or distract those around you.

• If you had a meal prior to your interview, check your teeth and breath. You should carry some mints too, just in case.

• Invest in some mints and make sure to check your teeth and breath before your interview.

• Keep it classy and sophisticated with a fitted cotton shirt and a suit and tie. Match your ensemble with plain dark socks and shoes.

• Wear dresses suitable for office wear. If you would rather play it safe, choose dark pantsuits or skirt suits. You may wish to bring along a blazer or jacket to complete the look. But when you get to the interview or networking session, observe the surrounding atmosphere on how casual or formal it is before adding or shedding layers, if needed.

• Make sure the jacket of your two-piece suit fits your shoulders and waist snugly. While there is nothing wrong with wearing the classic black-andwhite combination, you can also consider other dark colours such as navy blue and grey. When you sit down, your pants should cover your ankles.

• Take a look at the environment during your interview or networking session. Add or shed layers depending on how casual or formal your surroundings are.

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• Make sure you can sit comfortably in your slacks and that it is not too tight. Blouses or shirts should be light-coloured but not faded. Avoid wearing spaghetti or strapless tops.

• If you are wearing a skirt or a dress, make sure the hemline is slightly above the knee with a respectable length remaining when you sit or bend down. For dresses, ensure the fabric is not too sheer or bright in colour. Look out for low necklines or gaps in between buttons.

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Accessories

• Ensure the colour of your shoes matches your belt if you are wearing one and that the buckle is plain and not too flashy.

• Forgo gaudy accessories as they tend to be distracting and do not wear more than a pair of simple earrings.

• Wear dark- or neutral-coloured ties that do not fall past your belt when worn.

• If you know you will either be standing or walking a lot, favour comfortable footwear options like flats or two- to three-inch heels in plain colours.

• If you want to primp up your outfit with cufflinks or tie clips, choose simple designs so that you do not distract the interviewer or recruiter.

• Do not wear more than one ring and stay away from earrings or studs completely.

• Nails should be neatly trimmed. If you are planning to wear nail polish, stick to a colour that matches your lipstick.

• Avoid backpacks and clutches and opt for messenger, satchel or tote bags instead.

Dressing Up

Smart Casual

When the occasion does not call for formal wear but still requires you to look presentable, follow this dress code. Commonly found in the engineering and IT industries, employees in startups and research and development (R&D) roles often opt for this style of dress as well.

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• Polo tees or shirts

• Dresses

• Pants, jeans or chinos

• Shirts or blouses

• Dress shoes or loafers

• Skirts or jeans • Wedges, flats or low-to-medium heels

Business Casual In the event you still need to look presentable, but the occasion calls for more than the smart casual style of dressing, go with business casual. This dress code can be found in the public sector, media and FMCG industries, as well as marketing.

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• Long-sleeved shirts

• Dresses

• Pants

• Tops or shirts with long- or three-quarter-sleeves

• Dress shoes

• A-line or pencil skirts

• Cufflinks, ties and jackets are optional

• Dress pants • Wedges, flats or low-to-medium heels

Business Formal Usually found in industries such as the banking and finance sector, this style of dress is usually meant for networking sessions and job interviews with potential employers.

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• Long-sleeved shirts

• Work dresses

• Pants

• Tops or shirts with long- or three-quarter-sleeves

• Dress shoes

• Pencil skirts

• Cufflinks

• Dress pants

• Plain ties

• Flats or low-to-medium heels

• Dark-coloured suits

• Business suits or blazers

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Networking for Success Networking can be pretty confusing: Where do you start? What do you do?

Where do you even go? Here are some ideas for you to explore!

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s a graduate jobseeker, you have probably already heard of your fair share of seniors, peers and career advisors chanting: “Network, network, network if you want to succeed!”

Yet, ironically, networking events can be incredibly daunting, turning even the most eloquent of us into awkward stutterers. After all, aside from the need to obtain information from new acquaintances, you are also pressured to juggle building new connections, strengthen old ones and maintain a professional image in front of potential employers. With so much multitasking going on – and with your future at stake, too – it is understandable why you may find yourself getting anxious during such events.

“How do I start a conversation with someone?”, “Can I join that group who started their conversation fifteen minutes ago, or would it be rude?”, “Wow, that is a big shot CEO – should I even approach him for a conversation?” and” Ack, awkward pause – what do I say now?!” are some very common thoughts that can quickly overwhelm you.

That said, the rewards you reap from good networking are definitely worth the effort it takes to overcome all this apprehension!

Here are some tips to help you boost your networking skills:

Prepare and practise Networking is not something that comes naturally to anyone, not even the most extroverted of us. Instead, it is a learnable skill that requires constant practise. Of course, that is not to say that you should start talking to your reflection in the mirror! Most of your contacts can typically be divided into the following categories: • Casual networks: Contacts who you have met at open networking events or mixed industry events.

• Knowledge networks: Contacts from professional associations that cater to the improvement and regulation of a specific industry.

• Strong contact networks: Contacts from groups established exclusively for building professional relationships.

• Online networks: Contacts who you know from social media platforms.

Use these categories as a guideline to help you expand your networks. But remember: You do not necessarily need to collect contacts in all four categories to succeed in your job search. Instead, expand the different categories according to the need of your desired job.

For example, if you are looking for employment as a social media strategist, you might find it more beneficial

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for you to have more contacts from the knowledge and online networks instead of casual networks. Alternatively, marketing people might find the opposite to be more useful. Flex your interaction and networking muscles with any of these contacts as you will be using the same skills!

The ability to make small talk is also a crucial skill that you will need to have when networking. You can start by practising with friends, people you meet during student club activities, or recruiters at career fairs. Try to keep abreast of current issues as they are good conversation starters. When in doubt, ask the other party questions about themselves. We all love talking about ourselves, after all!

Your university’s careers services centre may also organise workshops or courses on successful networking.

These events are almost always free to current students, so why not attend one or two to clock in some hours of guided practice? Start early because you cannot learn how to be a good networker overnight. It takes plenty of trial-and-error to find an approach that works best for you.

Ultimately, it is all about rehearsing to the point that you are confident enough to carry a conversation during any networking session while still being yourself.

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Focus on your “VCP” Although it is true that the purpose of networking is for you to obtain a favour or opportunity from your contacts, the sentiment behind these relationships is very real. You need to develop not just familiarity with your contacts, but also trust before you can request anything from them.

In other words, networking is a long-term investment of trust and confidence between individuals. There are three primary components to this: • Visibility: Your contacts need to know who you are.

• Credibility: Your contacts need to know your intentions, character and capabilities.

• Profitability: Your contacts need to know that they can trust you so much that they are willing to help you.

Recruiters do not expect new graduates to be overachievers, but they want to see your interest in them, their company and your sincerity in applying. Make it a point to show up at multiple company events, approach them and make your interest in the company clear and consistent. If possible, always take the time to catch up with the same individuals who you approached before so that you can develop a rapport with them. Who knows?

They might be the one to put in a good word on your behalf when the time is right!

The same basic rules of building relationships still apply: Never lie and avoid “overselling” yourself. Not only it is detrimental to your relationship if they discover your falsehood, but it can also damage your professional reputation as well!

Open with an “elevator pitch” The average person’s attention span while performing a task lasts no more than 10 to 20 seconds. So remember that you only have a limited time span to highlight your selling points before the other party’s focus turns elsewhere!

Come prepared with a 30-second “elevator pitch” so that when recruiters ask you the ubiquitous “What do you do?” question, you will not be floundering around for an answer. Be sure to include the necessary information – who you are, what you are studying and where your interests lie – and keep it concise. Alternatively, prepare two or three introductory points about yourself if you do not feel like giving a 30-second pitch.

Just choose something that you are excited to talk about, and you will be able to portray yourself as a knowledgeable and capable person!

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Talk beyond business Another way to establish your reputation as a great conversationalist is to connect with others on a level beyond business. Recruiters and company representatives are also people with hobbies and interests, and are often happy to meet others who share the same passion. Bond over common interests, such as food, movies, fashion, or sports teams.

Put your observation skills to use, too. Distinctive cufflinks, keychains and jewellery can evoke interesting topics that will leave an impression! Use this opportunity to also show your keen eye for details.

If you are nervous, speak to other students, interns or the event organisers to test the waters first. Find out what are some good small talk topics that you can use to approach the “big shots”. Although if no one seems interested in your talk about Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, then maybe you should leave that out.

It is also a good idea to stay away from touchy subjects like politics and religion. These are topics reserved for deep discussions over a cup of coffee between close-knit friends, not new acquaintances.

Follow up This is one of the most important aspects of a networking session, and yet the one most often forgotten! Remember, there is really no point in attending a networking session if you are not going to make the effort to follow up with any new contacts you have made.

If you have promised to do something for someone, such as to give them a call, send an email or connect person A to person B, do it as soon as you can. There cannot be more emphasis placed on this. Keeping your promises in a timely manner helps you build your reputation as a prompt and responsible character. Also, if you helped connect a contact with someone else who can benefit them, they are bound to return the favour in the future too!

Put the business cards you have collected to good use as well, especially ones from recruiters. Write a proper email thanking them for their time and insights, and sign off with a memorable detail from your conversation so that it will leave an impression on them. This way, they will be less likely to forget you if you bump into them again in the future.

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4 Types of Interviews

One-on-one interviews Otherwise known as personal or face-to-face interviews, this involves your interviewer asking a series of questions to evaluate your suitability for the job. Although present circumstances mean that one-on-one interview sessions usually take place virtually, it is still common.

Some companies prefer using several rounds of oneon-one interviews for different department heads to meet with the potential candidate before deciding on his or her fate with the company.

Interview tips • Show your interviewer that you are interested in the job by asking relevant questions. Some simple ones include asking about the role’s day-to-day tasks, the work culture, or the role’s career path.

• You should also talk about how the job role matches your aspirations, career plans and relevant interests.

Enthusiasm is key.

• Demonstrate specific examples of the skills required for the role you are applying for and discuss relevant transferable skills you obtained from any school or work experience.

• Also note that body language is just as important as verbal communication. Maintain a decent level of eye contact throughout the interview, sit upright to exude confidence and remember to smile!

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Video interviews The most common interview type in the new normal, video interviews are conducted by almost all employers.

However, due to the potential technical pitfalls and how different they may be depending on the platform used by each employer, they tend to intimidate graduate job seekers.

Video interviews may take place “live” (e.g. through Zoom) or pre-recorded (e.g. video submissions).

Interview tips • Practise makes perfect. Start by getting used to appearing on-screen. Switch on your computer’s webcam and record yourself as though you are running through a practise interview.

• Set the scene by dressing smartly and making sure the area where you will be carrying out the interview looks like a professional workplace.

• If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, make sure you have good signal strength so that the video conference does not drop midway through your interview. A good way to check this is to stream a video over YouTube.

• Lastly, if you are taking the call on a laptop, remember to plug it in to a power source – you may be online longer than you think.

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Panel interviews Panel interviews typically involve anywhere from three to eight interviewers – usually three for graduate interviews. They will likely consist of a mix of HR personnel, business managers and some departmental specialists.

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security if these interviews are held over video! They tend to be more rigorous and meticulous than individual interviews as you will be juggling questions from multiple sources.

Although this may sound intimidating, there is no need to fret. The interviewers are out to find out the same thing as at any other interview: Whether you are a good fit for the company!

Interview tips • Maintain direct eye contact with the interviewers. If your interview is taking place in-person, answer them while making eye contact. If it is over video, talk to the camera instead of the video feed on-screen.

• Address the interviewers by name when speaking to them. If your interview is taking place face-to-face, one little trick is to get their name cards at the beginning of the session, and then arrange them in front of you according to the interviewers’ sitting arrangement.

• Stay calm if one of the interviewers looks bored. Given their different backgrounds, not every member on the panel may be interested in your response to a question asked.

• You will sometimes be asked the same question twice by mistake. Do not second-guess yourself, and always keep to the same version of your story.

Phone interviews A phone interview is often used as a screening exercise where employers check some basic information prior to a face-to-face or virtual interview. It is also used to sieve through suitable candidates early in the recruitment process.

The relative anonymity of a phone interview may allow you to speak to your interviewer without the stress of travelling to an unfamiliar place in professional attire, but avoid letting your guard down!

Interview tips • Much of the impact you make will come through your voice, so sounding attentive and enthusiastic is important.

• Take notes of the keywords of the questions asked for reference when responding to your interviewer.

• Do not be distracted by your surroundings or lose track of what you want to say next. Avoid filler words such as “umm” and “uh-huh” or constant requests to repeat the questions.

• Have your resume and completed application form next to you in case you need to refer to them during the phone interview.

• Choose a conducive, quiet environment for the phone appointment to prevent background noise from ruining your session.

Smart questions to ask your interviewers Sensible questions such as:

Some tricky (and timely!) interview questions • How do you think our business has been affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic this year?

• Which of your achievements or experiences best demonstrate your key strengths?

• What has this pandemic and its aftereffects taught you about yourself?

• What steps have you been taking to stay informed and relevant amidst all the uncertainty this year?

• How do you see your career developing over the next few years in a post-coronavirus world?

• You mentioned that the job involves a particular task.

Could you tell me a bit more about what this entails?

• What sort of training can I expect to receive?

• How do new starters who join the organisation in this position generally progress? What would be a typical timescale?

Thoughtful questions such as: • I read in the papers recently that your organisation has just signed an agreement to work with a particular client. Is this something that I would be likely to get involved with if I do get this position?

• Will the trends in a post-coronavirus world affect the way you work in this market? What are some of the things you are doing to ride the wave/wait it out?

• Your competitors seem to be doing Y. Is it important for your company to be doing Z? How does this set you apart from them?

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Acing Assessment Centres Assessment centres are not reality TV shows — you will not be seen in the boardroom a la The Apprentice and you will not be the victim of an onscreen sacking, either. So do not feel obliged to behave like you are taking part in a television show.

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ou are put into a room with a group of strangers, asked to play games and then observed to see whether you will go through to the next round or if your progress ends there. The situation is ripe with uncertainty and it sounds just like a scene from The Apprentice.

Unfortunately, that is where some participants at assessment centres take their cue from, and that is where they also come undone. Here is why being at an assessment centre is, frankly, not at all like being on a reality TV show.

First of all, and most importantly, there is usually more than one winner at an assessment centre – you are not in

direct competition with the other candidates. You are being assessed against the employers’ criteria, not against each other, and it is important for you to show how well you can work in a team. In other words, you need to find a way to work together with your “colleagues” to achieve the goals and tasks set.

Secondly, remember that assessment centres are also a two-way street – this is your chance to evaluate a prospective employer and see if the shoe fits. Better to find out now than a few months down the line!

Know the difference!

Reality TV Shows

Assessment Centres

There are group tasks for you to complete.

There are group tasks for you to complete.

You need to strike a balance between fitting in and standing out from the crowd.

You need to strike a balance between fitting in and standing out from the crowd.

You entertain a mass audience.

You entertain no one.

Your host reveals the rules of the game.

The task is described, but not the underlying rules.

At some point, you will face a judge on the show.

You will probably never meet the people who write the assessment done on you.

You will need to get on the right side of the judge.

You will be judged on how well you performed the tasks given to you. There is no boardroom “execution”.

You are tempted into undermining your colleagues.

The secret is to be who you are and get along with your colleagues.

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How to behave at an assessment centre Do not lose concentration It is going to be a long and tiring day, so try to make sure you have a good night’s sleep beforehand! You will need to stay alert and engaged the whole day.

Even if you are assured that the informal food and drinks do not play any part in the selection process, you should be careful not to gorge yourself. It is best to assume that if you let your hair down too far, someone will notice.

Get your hands dirty

What should I expect from an assessment centre?

Graduate employers design their own assessment centres to test for skills and aptitudes that are right for their own organisations. However, most of these assessments typically contain similar elements and exercises. You can expect to do a combination of the following in most assessment centres: • Group work exercises • Presentations • Aptitude and psychometric tests

Do not stand back and turn your nose up. Group exercises are designed to see how well you work with others, so make sure you take part. Be enthusiastic and make an effort, whatever the task. Besides, concentrating on the task at hand will help you to forget your nerves.

Be professional Arrive on time and look the part. Be friendly but polite.

The assessment centre is partly a social exercise, so do chat with the other candidates during breaks and over lunch. Be prepared to initiate conversations. While it is fine to make small talk with assessors, do not be too familiar with them.

• In-tray/e-tray exercises

Do not fake it until you make it

• Case studies linked to the job function

Be yourself, but be the most positive version of yourself.

Try to relax and behave naturally. You might even find it is possible to enjoy yourself despite the inevitable nerves.

Also remember that a smile is more likely to make a better impression than a face frozen in fear!

Recruiters will assess you for a number of things, including how you demonstrate core graduate skills and competencies such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. The group setting also makes it easier for them to evaluate how well you work with others, how you influence and persuade those around you and how others respond to you.

The good news is that these exercises make it much easier for you to showcase a broader range of skills and competencies than you can at a one-on-one interview, though most assessment centres will also include at least one personal interview.

This is why some employers feel that assessment centres are a fairer and more effective way to select graduates than traditional interviews. Feeling worried?

Do not be! We will show you how you can get past these exercises and even have some fun in the process!

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How do I know if all is going well?

You know you are on track when: • You have achieved a mix of taking charge and taking a back seat.

• At the end of the day, you realise you actually managed to enjoy yourself.

Things are not going so well if: • You do not meet anyone, fellow candidates and assessors, whose company you enjoy.

• You walk away feeling suspicious, judged and anxious.

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Accepting Job Offers: Accepting and Declining Congratulations, you have been offered a job! Now, how do you proceed with (or reject) the offer?

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he thrill of finally receiving a job offer after a gruelling job hunt is probably one of the best feelings. More than signalling your success, it means that you have lived up to a potential employer’s expectations – and you are good enough to be offered a job. It also translates to financial security and another step towards your dreams.

So, you say yes – no second thoughts, and that is the end of it. Easy, right?

Except no, not really. Many applicants think that accepting a job offer is as easy as “Yes, I accept your offer”, but there is actually a lot more to the process than you think! Accepting a job offer means another round of formal processes, so make sure you know what is going on to ensure that you are on the right track!

Or maybe you have discovered that this particular employer or position is not quite suitable for you after all, or you disagree with the hiring terms and conditions.

In this case, if you feel like you are receiving the short end of the stick and unable to successfully negotiate your terms, you may decide to decline the offer. This is when you will need to practise proper etiquette to make sure that you do not burn any bridges.

So, what should you expect when you receive a job offer?

Reading the contract/offer In many cases, the recruiter will make a job offer to you through an email or a phone call, informing you that they are “very happy to offer you X position”. However, job offers – whether conditional or unconditional – are not considered formalised until they are produced in writing, such as an offer letter. It will normally contain a copy of the terms and conditions of employment.

This document acts as a binding contract once it is signed, so make sure to go through the printed details thoroughly and check that everything is as you gave discussed with the recruiter (usually during your second or third interview). Look out for: • Job title • Salary and benefits (including travelling, phone and entertainment allowances) • Additional incentive compensation • Employee education • Probation period • Notice period (the length of time between resigning and your last day of work) • Hours of work per day or week • Holiday, sick pay entitlements and insurance • Starting date In some cases, the recruiter might hand you the letter during your second or third interview. If this happens, do not feel pressured to sign on the spot. Instead, ask for some time to go through the document before getting back to them. Most employers will understand and give you the extra time needed.

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HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS

When things are not clear Some details in the offer letter can get quite technical. So do not let it overwhelm you; it is alright to nitpick the specifics as you go through the document. If there is something you do not understand, or is different from your agreement made during an earlier discussion, such as salary matters, be sure to clarify with the employer as soon as you can.

If you are applying into a graduate programme or scheme, check if your offer is conditional on gaining a specific degree classification. This would mean that you are temporarily accepted, and will only be confirmed when you have achieved a particular result or degree.

Make sure to iron this out with the recruiter before you sign your acceptance: What if you missed out on the specified degree level? Some recruiters may be willing to overlook this if they were impressed by your interview performance.

Accepting the job offer If everything goes well, and you are keen on taking up the job, go ahead and sign your acceptance. Although this is sufficient in most cases, some employers may ask you to write a short acceptance letter or email, mentioning that you are formally accepting their offer to join the company. If you find that you need help with this, do not be afraid to turn to your career advisors for assistance.

You are not done yet though! Do not forget those who have helped you along the way, such as your contact who recommended you to the job in the first place, and your referees as well. Just a simple thank-you note over email mentioning your acceptance will help to show your appreciation. You can also ask for further advice on how you should prepare for your first day at the job.

Declining the offer

Again, do not forget the contacts who have helped you up to this point. Send them a brief email to inform them of your decision as well, and thank them for their assistance and guidance.

If handled properly, job declinations can become good networking opportunities too! Some recruiters may be impressed by your sense of responsibility and keep you in their circle of contact.

In some rare cases, the recruiter may call you back for a round of re-negotiations. This will be up to you to accept or decline, depending on the reasons why you rejected the job offer in the first place.

Getting a job offer even before the hunt!

Sometimes, you may be given an offer before you even start on your job hunt, especially if you have been interning over the years and have impressed your (ex-)employers. (Well done!)

Most recruiters will understand if you want some time to attend other interviews to compare your prospects, but do not drag their job offer on for too long without getting back to them!

That is just plain rude, and will only spoil their good impression of you.

Moreover, do not neglect your responsibility to contact them once you have come to a decision, and be tactful about the way you juggle your (multiple) job offers.

Other no-gos Take note also of some actions that are considered unethical by recruiters – make sure that you do not: • Sign and accept multiple offer letters that you receive, and not turn up at work on the first day.

• Delay your response to your multiple job offers for a long time in order to compare your prospects, then not inform the rejected recruiters after you have made your decision.

In the off-chance that you think you are not suited for the job or company, be sure to decline politely in the form of a letter expressing your intentions. This is because recruiters do not know that you are declining their offer and why. Instead, they will only think that you are being rude for leading them on.

On top of that, responding will help prove your integrity as a responsible job-seeker (and employee!).

In your email, thank the recruiters and interviewers for their time, and tell them clearly that you are unable to accept their offer and why. Recruiters deserve to know after all the time and effort that they have invested in you. Be honest and polite about it, and always keep your tone professional. A curt “I do not think your offer is good” is definitely a no-go!

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Preparing for Your First Day at Work Read, understand and implement the following tips to help you shine on your first day.

A

fter countless applications and interviews, you have finally landed yourself that coveted job.

Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done! But remember, this is only the beginning.

As your first day of work approaches, you can expect to break out in cold sweat and feel butterflies permanently settling themselves in your stomach.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

It is completely normal to get those first-day nerves – it happens to all of us! However, it is important to make a good impression from day one so you can set the stage for a successful experience. Good preparation and understanding a few key workplace basics can go a long way in helping you achieve that.

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HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS

Here are some tips to ensure your first day goes smoothly:

The day before • Know exactly where you will be based and where you need to report to on your first day. Check the map on your phone and note down the directions on how to get there.

Usually, the company website also offers directions to their respective offices.

• Remember the name of your reporting officer so you do not show up at the front desk looking clueless and disorganised! You are likely to report in the morning when everyone is just walking into the office or busy preparing to start their day, so they may not be too pleased to help a new hire who shows up on his or her first day underprepared.

• Plan your journey. Give yourself some breathing time for bad traffic, MRT breakdowns, or bus delays. If you are unfamiliar with the area your office is located in, include additional time in case you get lost. If you are driving, figure out the nearest parking area.

Take note that not every office building provides parking for those without season parking passes.

• Revise any specialised knowledge or skills you may need for the job. You may be lacking in experience, but make sure you are armed with impressive theoretical knowledge.

• Research and read up about the company. While this may be something you did while you were applying for the position, it is still good to tune in to the company’s latest news. You can start by checking out their social media profiles. You can also read about the history of the organisation, their vision and mission, or what they are currently working on if you have not done so already.

• Ensure you have enough work-appropriate attire.

Some companies can be quite uptight about what their employees wear to work, while others are more flexible.

If you are unsure, it is okay to wear smart attire on your first day. It is better to overdress than underdress in this situation!

• Pack your bag the night before with essentials, such as extra money, some snacks and a notebook and pen. Bring along a blazer or jacket in case the office is cold.

At your workplace • Confirm with your supervisor your working hours, and if you need to take your lunch break at a particular time.

involved in the discussed projects, use the time to learn more about what the company does.

• Keep your desk neat and tidy. This is one of the easiest ways to make a good impression. Do it well.

• When briefed on a task, take the time to fully understand what you need to do and ask questions if necessary. Do not be shy or feel intimidated. This is the time for you to break out of your shell and learn on the job, with practically zero fallout.

• Learn how to use the phone system if you are expected to answer the phone. You should have a sheet with the names of your colleagues, their designations, as well as their extension numbers. Keep it accessible by the phone.

• Take note of email protocols to adopt, such as using a particular signature file, salutation or sign-off. It goes without saying that the tone of your email must remain formal and professional at all times.

• As mentioned earlier, bring extra cash on your first day. You may not know how much lunch costs at your workplace.

Even if you do, the extra cash will come in handy if your colleagues decide to take you out to a restaurant or café instead of the nearby hawker centre for lunch.

• If you are invited to attend meetings with colleagues or clients, clarify beforehand whether your input would be welcome or if you are expected to sit and observe. This is the perfect time to make use of your notebook and pen to take down meeting notes. Regardless of whether you are

• Check in at the end of the day with your manager(s) to tell them you are getting ready to leave. Always ask if there is anything else they need you to do for the day. Do not just disappear! This is the rule of thumb not just for the first day, but the rest of your time in the company.

So you have survived your first day. What is next? Continue to listen attentively and learn well. Use the time to network and

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gather as much experience as you can. You will never know that the good first impression you have set will get you in the future!

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How to Upgrade Yourself Lifelong learning is important to keep yourself relevant in the new normal.

T

oday’s sluggish economy has made the job market more competitive than it has ever been before. Many graduates just about to hit the job market are feeling 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 or PhD when talking about postgraduate options, there are other qualifications available.

Here is a brief overview:

Online courses If you are looking 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 Google Garage, LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer a myriad of short courses ranging from new language skills to specialised courses such as application development and understanding machine learning. You can consider webinars as well.

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, but may also help you meet certain technical requirements for a role you are interested in.

SkillsFuture The Singapore government rolled out the SkillFuture initiative with the aim to encourage lifelong learning in mind. 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 goal 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. Training modules are bite-sized, making it easier for individuals to learn at their own pace.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

SIM GE Postgraduate Courses If your aim is to acquire more in-depth knowledge in a certain field, a postgraduate course such as a Master’s degree could be the option. SIM GE offers overseas academic programmes through its partnership with various established international universities, including:

University of Birmingham The University of Birmingham, founded in 1900, is one of the largest in the United Kingdom (U.K.), and offers 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.

Ranked 87th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2021); Gold-rated university for outstanding teaching and learning in the U.K. (Teaching Excellence Framework 2017 – 2020); Second most frequently targeted university among top employers in the U.K. (The Graduate Market in 2020, High Fliers Research); A member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 U.K. research-intensive universities.

Birmingham Business School, a triple-crown accredited school by the AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, offers a range of fulltime postgraduate programmes in SIM: Master of Science International Business Management (with specialisms in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Organisational Leadership and Change, and Strategy)

1. Lenny Putri Graduate, MSc Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Family Venture “The programme gave me valuable insights and knowledge on various topics of management study, as well as in the niche area of entrepreneurship, that I could relate to real life experiences.”

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HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS

2. Sabeen Farooq

3. Irenaeus Francis Sta Maria

Graduate, MSc International Business, Entrepreneurial Venture

Graduate, MSc in Programme and Project Management, Kuraray Asia Pacific

“The programme adopts an integrated approach to international business. Learning from university lecturers and students from various countries was a great and enriching enriching experience!”

“The programme catered for the latest management practices related to the field of Engineering, Logistics, Manufacturing and Quality, and there was an array of modules to suit my needs and interest.”

The University of Warwick

Grenoble Ecole de Management

The University of Warwick (Warwick) is one of the leading research and education groups with successful industry collaborations.

Ranked 62nd in the world (QS World University Rankings 2021);

Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) is one of the few leading French business schools globally recognised for its unique education model, its focus on geopolitics and business and its creative approach to partnerships.

GEM is further triple-crown accredited by the AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS for the degrees it delivers.

Ranked 9th and 11th in the U.K. (Guardian University Guide 2020 and Complete University Guide 2021 respectively);

Ranked 6th in the Le Point, French Business Schools Ranking 2020;

A member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 U.K. research-intensive universities.

Ranked 25th in the Financial Times European Business School Ranking 2019;

WMG of Warwick is a leading multidisciplinary research and education group, transforming organisations and driving innovation through a unique combination of collaborative R&D and pioneering education programmes. A range of WMG fulltime and part-time postgraduate programmes are offered in SIM:

Ranked 7th in France for Management, Shanghai ARWU: Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020;

Master of Science/Postgraduate Award Engineering Business Management

Ranked 38th in the QS World University: Masters in Management Ranking 2020.

GEM currently offers two full-time postgraduate programmes in SIM: Master of Science

Programme and Project Management

Fashion, Design and Luxury Management

Supply Chain and Logistics Management

Management in International Business

1. Zachery Tan

1. Phou Sovanchan

Graduate, MSc in Engineering Business Management, Newway Systems

Graduate, MSc Management in International Business

“Having learnt from respected academics and scientists from Warwick and A*STAR, I am empowered by knowledge and skills that prepare me for the modern world. Since then, I have gone on to build successful businesses.”

“Studying the MSc MIB in SIM had allowed me to interact with different nationalities and diverse cultures. The opportunity to learn a foreign language certainly helped to strengthen my knowledge in international business too!”

2. Qamarul Fadhli Bin Khairizan Graduate, MSc in Supply Chain and Logistics Management, Schlumberger “The innovation module was interesting as we got to understand how disruptive technologies can change the way companies are operating now to remain relevant and competitive.”

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JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS LEADING EMPLOYERS WITH VACANCIES AND INTERNSHIPS WHO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. Employers BDO LLP..............................................................................................................(IFC) 96 CapitaLand Limited.....................................................................................(98, 99) 97 DBS Bank Ltd.............................................................................................................. 97 EY ............................................................................................................................100 FDM Group.................................................................................................................100 Foo Kon Tan LLP....................................................................................................... 101 KPMG......................................................................................................................... 101 L’Oréal Singapore...................................................................................................... 102 Metropolitan YMCA Singapore................................................................................. 102 NCS Pte Ltd............................................................................................................... 104 Ninja Logistics Pte Ltd (Ninja Van)........................................................................ 104 NTUC Income........................................................................................ (106, 107) 105 Shopee Singapore.................................................................................................... 105 United Overseas Bank.............................................................................................108 Wantedly Singapore.................................................................................................108

( ) = advertisements; IFC = Inside Front Cover

BDO LLP

600 North Bridge Road, #23-01, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778 TEL +[65] 6828 9118 WEB https://www.bdo.com.sg/en-gb/careers EMAIL career@bdo.com.sg

FACEBOOK @BDOSingapore LINKEDIN @bdo-singapore TWITTER

YOUTUBE

@bdoaccountant https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBblycqXBZ7YhP8hSauj6Lg

LOCATION

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

BUSINESS FACTS

CAREER SECTORS

• Singapore – Central • International – BDO’s global organisation extends across 167 countries and territories, with 91,054 people working out of 1,658 offices – and they’re all working towards one goal: to provide our clients with exceptional service.

Established in 1972 and a member firm of BDO International since 1979, we offer a full range of services including audit, corporate finance and risk advisory.

Our clients are from most fields of business in Singapore and include subsidiaries of multi-national corporations, public and private companies operating in diverse industries, including transportation and publishing. Some of our clients are wellknown, while many are medium-sized emerging businesses.

Our size is at its optimum, it is large enough to enable us to provide the full range of world-class services and at the same time allows clients to benefit from our breadth and depth of expertise as the world’s fifth largest accounting network.

Simply, our services begin with your needs. Whether you are a start-up or an established enterprise looking to take the next step up, we are well equipped to assist you from ground level to the highest stratosphere of success.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

• Accounting • Business Administration • Finance • IT & Computer Sciences • Accountancy and Financial Management • Banking and Financial Services • Consulting • IT and Technology

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

BDO provides a culture that emphasizes career growth, professional development, collaborative culture, workplace flexibility and global opportunities.

If you believe you have the right values and attitude in wanting to be part of our big BDO family, send in your detailed resume and a recent photograph to career@bdo.com.sg.

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CAPITALAND LIMITED

168 Robinson Road, #30-01, Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 EMAIL buildyourdream@capitaland.com WEB https://www.capitaland.com/careers

@capitaland @capitaland LINKEDIN @capitaland TWITTER @capitaland YOUTUBE @capitaland FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

from over 80 countries. CapitaLand is always on the look-out for people of high calibre with strong potential to support and grow with the Group.

LOCATIONS

• Singapore • Global

Talent Management

BUSINESS FACTS

CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, it is an owner and manager of a global portfolio worth about S$133.3 billion as at 30 September 2020, comprising integrated developments, retail, commercial, business park, industrial and logistics, urban development, lodging, residential, 6 listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and over 20 private funds. Present across more than 220 cities in over 30 countries, CapitaLand focuses on Singapore and China as core markets, while continuing to expand in markets such as India, Vietnam, Australia, Europe and the USA. Cultivating a Strong Workforce As a multi-national company, CapitaLand stands by its credo ‘Building People.

Building Communities.’ Its success is built on its strong infrastructure and its diverse and inclusive workforce – which consists of more than 12,000 employees

CapitaLand believes that a company is only as extraordinary as the people who contribute to its culture and success. It focuses on hiring the best people, and have strategic, integrated and quality learning programmes for continual learning and development in all career stages. CapitaLand offers opportunities for challenging and rewarding careers where employees are able to continually learn and develop their personal and professional capabilities, all while working alongside a talented, international and diverse workforce.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Open to all disciplines CAREER SECTOR

• Property and Real Estate APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Apply online via capitaland.com/careers and shortlisted candidates will be notified.

DBS BANK LTD

FACEBOOK

12 Marina Boulevard, DBS Asia Central @ MBFC Tower 3, Singapore 018982 WEB https://www.dbs.com/careers/structured-programmes/default.page EMAIL hrrecruit@dbs.com

INSTAGRAM

LOCATIONS

@DBSCareers @DBSBank

CAREER SECTORS

• Singapore • Priority Markets – China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Taiwan • International Centres – Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam

• Banking and Financial Services APPLICATION PROCEDURE

BUSINESS FACTS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 18 markets.

Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney, “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker and “Best Bank in the World”

by Global Finance. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award

by Global Finance for 12 consecutive years from 2009 to 2020.

Scan the QR code above to find out more about the graduate and internship programmes offered by DBS. An “Apply Now” button will go live in the respective programme pages when the application window opens.

APPLICATION PERIODS

Graduate jobs: August – November Internships: December – January

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering

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• Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences • IT and Computer Sciences • Maths

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SET YOUR CAREER GOALS ON OUR SOLID FOUNDATION

To build real estate of the future, we have to first build our people.

CapitaLand Graduate Development Programme is designed to bring in the best people, and bring out the best in them.

CapitaLand’s diverse portfolio of integrated developments,

CapitaLand Graduate shopping malls, serviced residences, offices, homes, real estate Development Programme investment trusts and funds provides the global stage on which any dream can take flight.

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENTS • SHOPPING MALLS • SERVICED RESIDENCES • OFFICES • HOMES • REITS & FUNDS

Connect with us

WHY GDP

CapitaLand

Graduate

Development

Programme

nurtures

promising young graduates with less than two years of working experience for a rewarding, accelerated career journey.

The holistic programme offers prospects for personal growth and development, with a comprehensive learning roadmap.

Gain global exposure through job rotations to various real estate sectors and countries. You will also be actively involved in various aspects of the business, with opportunities to gain insights from CapitaLand’s senior management.

LET’S START BUILDING

Think you have what it takes? We are looking for graduates with the right attributes, including:

Leadership qualities Aptitude to articulate a vision and lead people toward achieving it Resilience Tenacity to thrive and perform under pressure Drive to succeed Enthusiasm to take on varied tasks with a desire to excel Team player Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with others

Building People Building Communities

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EY

One Raffles Quay, North Tower Level 18, Singapore 048583 TEL +[65] 6535 7777 WEB https://go.ey.com/campus-attraction FACEBOOK @EYCareersSingapore INSTAGRAM @eysgcareers LINKEDIN @ErnstandYoung TWITTER @ EY_Singapore LOCATIONS

• Singapore • International: More than 700 offices in more than 150 countries BUSINESS FACTS

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

In Singapore, we have a history of 132 years, with over 180 partners and more than 3,400 people offering services to a wide-ranging clientele consisting of multinational companies, private companies and public sector organisations.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering

• Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences • IT and Computer Sciences • Law • Maths • Medical Sciences and Healthcare • Property and Built Environment • Sciences CAREER SECTORS

• Accountancy and Financial Management • Consulting APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Candidates may browse the latest openings and apply online at https://go.ey. com/graduate-careers.

APPLICATION PERIODS

Graduate jobs: All year-round Internships: All year-round

@ FDMGroup @FDMGroup LINKEDIN @FDMGroup TWITTER @FDMGroup YOUTUBE @FDMGroupVideos

FDM GROUP

FACEBOOK

South Beach Tower #26-11, 38 Beach Road, Singapore 189767 TEL + [65] 6909 1570 WEB https://www.fdmgroup.com/en-sg/sg-home/ EMAIL applysingapore@fdmgroup.com

INSTAGRAM

LOCATION

• Singapore • International – Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Switzerland

FDM consultants work on client sites to support them in achieving specific business objectives within various sectors, including financial services, media, retail, government and public sector, not-for-profits, insurance and more.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

BUSINESS FACTS

FDM Group is the global leader in the Recruit, Train and Deploy sector, launching thousands of careers every year across the globe. We are renowned for our dynamic Careers Programme, which provides graduates, returners to work and ex-forces personnel with award-winning business and technical training, before being deployed as consultants with our industry-leading clients.

Since our founding in 1991, we have grown exponentially, with over 5,000 employees and 90+ nationalities working together as a team across Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America. We have firmly established ourselves as a truly inclusive employer that champions diversity in the workplace.

Our Technical and Business Graduate Programme will equip you with the skills and confidence you need to launch your career. Following training, you will gain invaluable experience working on cutting edge projects for our leading clients. There are a range of pathways to choose from, including Business Intelligence, Software Development, Business Analysis, Technical Operations, Robotics and more.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

• Open to all disciplines CAREER SECTORS

• Consulting • IT and Technology APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please submit your application via our Careers Page at: https://www.fdmgroup.com/sg-careers/sg-graduates/ APPLICATION PERIODS

Graduate jobs: We recruit year-round and on a rolling basis Internships: We recruit year-round and on a rolling basis

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PA N TO N E 2 8 6 U

FOO KON TAN LLP

PA N TO N E 1 3 0 U

24 Raffles Place #07-03 Clifford Centre, Singapore 048621 TEL +[65] 6336 3355 WEB https://www.fookontan.com/new-graduate-associate-opportunity E-MAIL hr@fookontan.com FACEBOOK @fookontanllp LINKEDIN @fookontan LOCATIONS

• Singapore • International BUSINESS FACTS

Foo Kon Tan LLP is one of Singapore’s most established and respected accountancy practices. We can trace our roots to 1968 when the original firm was founded and became known as Foo, Kon & Tan. Over the years, a dynamic and inspirational leadership team changed the firm’s structure to provide a holistic one-stop business and advisory solutions to discerning clients. Today, ‘Foo Kon Tan’ (FKT) is the brand name under which Foo Kon Tan LLP, Chartered Accountants of Singapore and its associated companies provide a full range of assurance, tax and advisory services to help clients navigate the ever changing dynamics of the business and regulatory environments in the domestic as well as global markets. FKT is a member of HLB international, a worldwide network of independent accounting firms and business advisers.

FKT people are inspired to work together and are proud to identify ourselves as dedicated professionals delivering a full range of services tailored to the needs of our clients. Proactive teams, led by approachable partners, use insights, experience and fresh perspective to understand complex issues faced by clients to help clients overcome challenges, find workable solutions and unlock opportunities.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting CAREER SECTOR

• Accountancy and Financial Management APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Email your detailed resume, academic certifications ('O' Levels and above), and application form to hr@fookontan.com.

KPMG

FACEBOOK

16 Raffles Quay, #22-00 Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581 WEB https://home.kpmg/sg/en/home/careers-and-internships.html EMAIL sg-fmkpmggraduate@kpmg.com.sg

INSTAGRAM

• Economics • Engineering

LOCATION

• Singapore BUSINESS FACTS

If you are a qualified individual with the talent and ambition we want, KPMG has the career opportunities you deserve. Join us to leverage our global presence as one of the leading professional services firms, as well as our established reputation for enabling clients not only to adapt in a radically changing world, but to flourish in it.

KPMG in Singapore is part of a global network of professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. With over 219,000 outstanding professionals in the network working together to deliver value in 147 countries and territories, we offer a globally-consistent standard of service based on professional capabilities, industry insight and local knowledge. In the ASEAN region, KPMG member firms operate across all 10 countries.

Our industry focus helps KPMG firms’ professionals develop a rich understanding of clients' businesses with the insight, skills and resources required to address industry-specific issues and opportunities.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

www.sim.edu.sg

• Law • Maths

CAREER SECTORS

A career with KPMG is more than just a job. It opens the door to bigger opportunities, experiences and rewards; so step up to a bigger world with us.

• Accounting • Business Administration

@ kpmgsgcareers @kpmgsingapore

• Finance • IT and Computer Sciences

• Accountancy and Financial Management • Banking and Financial Services • Consulting • Insurance and Risk Management • IT and Technology APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online via https://careers.kpmg.com.sg and shortlisted candidates will be contacted by KPMG Talent Acquisition team APPLICATION PERIODS

Graduate jobs: January – March Internships: 1. Mid-Year Internships i.e. May to July/August (minimum commitment of 10 weeks): Applications open in January 2. Year-End internship i.e. December to January/February (minimum commitment of 8 weeks): Applications open in August 3. Off-Cycle Internships: We also offer 3 to 6-month internships to students from overseas universities and those who may be on a Leave of Absence from school.

Check out the opportunities available now at our job portal.

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L'ORÉAL SINGAPORE

FACEBOOK

1 George Street, #19-01/03, One George Street, Singapore 049145 WEB careers.loreal.com/

INSTAGRAM TELEGRAM

LOCATIONS

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Singapore • International – 149 other locations worldwide BUSINESS FACTS

We wake up every morning because there is excitement in knowing that everyone we work with has a tremendous impact on a larger vision. We empower billions of people to be the canvas for self-expression inspiring confidence and self-belief every day. When they feel good, we feel good. It is contagious!

That is why we surround ourselves with other 88,000 L'Oréal driven thinkers and doers to spark innovation and build a true leading brand powerhouse, offering beauty for all across 4 divisions, 36 international brands and 150 countries.

When we create a product or experience that makes our hearts beat faster, we know we are onto something. Something that will win the hearts and minds of another billion.

At L’Oréal, we give our employees a playground and offer them the ability to truly master their paths, make their own ways and set their rules in what matters to them. Unlimited options of career paths within await our employees.

Freedom to go beyond, that is the beauty of L’Oréal.

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences • IT and Computer Sciences • Maths • Medical Sciences and Healthcare • Property and Built Environment • Sciences CAREER SECTOR

• Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online directly: careers.loreal.com APPLICATION PERIODS

Management Trainee Programme: September onwards Apprenticeships: September onwards Internships: March and September

@MYMCASingapore @MYMCASingapore @MYMCA

METROPOLITAN YMCA SINGAPORE

FACEBOOK

60 Stevens Road, Singapore 257854 TEL +[65] 6839 8365 / +[65] 6839 8366 EMAIL hr@mymca.org.sg

INSTAGRAM

• Singapore BUSINESS FACTS

Metropolitan YMCA (MYMCA) leads positive community transformation with a special focus on children and youths. We nurture our children and work with our youth to identify their aspirations and amplify their efforts to reach the community for positive transformation.

Apart from our community and youth impact efforts, we are also a social enterprise, providing affordable F&B and hospitality services. All net surpluses from our F&B and hospitality businesses contribute to our M.Y programmes which reach out to impact the community positively.

Our four core values are Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. These values guide us in how we run our business and treat every individual.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

YOUTH LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT • Youth Executive INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES • Hospitality – Housekeeping • Hospitality – Front Office • Hospitality – Food & Beverage (Service) • Human Resources • Corporate & Marketing Communications • Community Services • Youth Leadership & Development • Programmes DEGREE DISCIPLINES

Openings available:

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES • Technician

TWITTER

PROGRAMMES • Admin Coordinator

LOCATION

FRONT OFFICE • Front Office Assistant • Security Officer

@L'OréalGroup @loreal t.me/lorealcampussg

HOUSEKEEPING • Housekeeping Supervisor • Room Attendant • Public Area Attendant FOOD & BEVERAGE • Waiter/Waitress

• Open to all disciplines CAREER SECTOR

• Charities and Social Services APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Metropolitan YMCA seeks individuals who have a proactive, resourceful and positive attitude to join us. Email us at hr@mymca.org.sg for more information.

www.sim.edu.sg

nucleus

by NCS

Come and join us

to create extraordinary outcomes, where you advance the community we serve!

Nucleus Careers

Group Careers

https://bit.ly/2KyRsS1

https://bit.ly/35XtOpG

About NCS

NCS is a member of the Singtel Group and the leading information, communications and technology (ICT) service provider with presence in the Asia PaciďŹ c region.

We deliver end-to-end ICT solutions to help governments and enterprises realise business value through digital transformation and the innovative use of technology. We invest in NEXT capabilities of digital, cloud, platform and cybersecurity services while continuously strengthening our core oerings of Business Application, Infrastructure and Communication services.

We believe in building a strong partner eco-system with leading technology players and research institutions to support open innovation and co-creation.

Visit www.ncs.com.sg to learn more about NCS and our Career Opportunities

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HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS

NCS PTE LTD

5 Ang Mo Kio Street 62, NCS Hub, Singapore 569141 TEL +[65] 6556 8000 WEB https://www.ncs.com.sg/public/ncs/en/careers/NUCLEUS.html EMAIL careers@ncs.com.sg LINKEDIN @NCSGroup LOCATION

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Singapore

Step 1: Apply online together with your CV Step 2: Complete online video interview and assessments Step 3: You will be invited for the final interview if shortlisted Step 4: Get offered before graduation and kickstart your tech career journey and development with NCS!

BUSINESS FACTS

NCS is a member of the Singtel Group and the leading information, communications and technology (ICT) service provider with presence in the Asia Pacific region.

We deliver end-to-end ICT solutions to help governments and enterprises realise business value through digital transformation and the innovative use of technology.

We invest in NEXT capabilities of digital, cloud, platform and cybersecurity services while continuously strengthening our core offerings of Business Application, Infrastructure and Communication services.

We believe in building a strong partner eco-system with leading technology players and research institutions to support open innovation and co-creation.

Visit www.ncs.com.sg to learn more about NCS and our Career Opportunities.

APPLICATION PERIOD

Graduate jobs: April to December 2021 Roles available • Software Engineer • Communication Engineer • Data Analytics • Infrastructure Engineer

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• IT and Computer Sciences CAREER SECTOR

• IT and Technology

NINJA LOGISTICS PTE LTD (NINJA VAN)

30 Jalan Kilang Barat, Kewalram House, Singapore 159363 (Regional Office) 8 Jln Kilang Timor, #02-01 Kewalram House, Singapore 159305 (Singapore Office) WEB https://www.ninjavan.co/careers EMAIL sg-careers@ninjavan.co FACEBOOK @NinjaVanSingapore INSTAGRAM @NinjaVan_SG LINKEDIN @Ninja Van LOCATION

• Singapore • Regional – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam BUSINESS FACTS

Ninja Van is an express logistics business created to take the hassle out of the parcel delivery process for online shoppers and catering to the logistics needs of Southeast Asia’s thriving e-commerce sector.

Innovation for us is not just a buzzword, it forms the backbone of everything we do.

We are an ambitious team with a passion for purpose and a desire to achieve excellence, driven by a common goal of shaping the future of e-commerce logistics across Southeast Asia.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Open to all disciplines

Driven by a desire to revolutionise the logistics industry, Ninja Van’s three cofounders – Lai Chang Wen, Shaun Chong, Tan Boxian – set up the company in 2014.

CAREER SECTOR

Encouraged by the success of the business in Singapore, Ninja Van subsequently expanded their operations in other parts of Southeast Asia and now has a presence in six of Southeast Asia’s key markets: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

At Ninja Van, we do not just deliver parcels. Our teams are empowered to map their own journeys towards success and we support them in creating tech-enabled solutions that connect businesses to a world of possibilities.

Graduate jobs: All year-round Internships: All year-round

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

• Aviation, Transport and Supply Chain Send in your applications online via ninjavan.co/careers where shortlisted applicants will be notified.

APPLICATION PERIODS

www.sim.edu.sg

HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS

NTUC INCOME

75 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189557 WEB https://www.income.com.sg/careers/working-at-income The only insurance co-operative in Singapore, NTUC Income was established in 1970 to make essential insurance accessible to all Singaporeans. We are now the leading composite insurer in Singapore offering life, health and general insurance.

Our wide network of financial advisers and partners provide value-added financial advisory that complements today’s digital-first landscape, offering insurance products and services that serve the protection, savings and investment needs of customers at different life stages and across all segments of society.

As a company that is made different, we believe in attracting capable and dynamic individuals like you to transform Income. We are ‘In With You’ for your performance, growth, innovation and impact. Discover how you can develop professionally and personally as you build a meaningful career with us.

Job Roles At Income, we value what’s withIN. We’re made different, right from the very people who work here. Our folks aren’t cast from the same mould and we embrace everyone’s unique personality, including their core attributes and quirky interests.

Roles you can look at include: • Operations • Actuarial • Finance • Information Technology • Business Excellence • Marketing We welcome all graduates to explore and indicate their interests on our career site.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Open to all disciplines CAREER SECTOR

• Insurance and Risk Management APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online at https://www.income.com.sg/careers/working-at-income

SHOPEE SINGAPORE

5 Science Park Drive 1, Shopee Building, Singapore 118265 WEB https://careers.shopee.sg/ LINKEDIN @Shopee

LOCATIONS

• Singapore • International — Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taipei, Tokyo, Yogyakarta BUSINESS FACTS

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It was launched in seven markets in 2015 to connect consumers, sellers and businesses in the region.

Shopee offers an easy, secure and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Accounting • Business Administration

www.sim.edu.sg

• • • • • •

Economics Engineering Finance Humanities, Art and Social Sciences IT and Computer Sciences Mathematics

CAREER SECTOR

• IT and Technology APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Candidates can apply via our career site: https://careers.shopee.sg/ APPLICATION PERIODS

Graduate jobs: On a rolling basis Internships: Spring Internships (Sept – Dec) Summer Internships (Dec – March) Fall Internships (May – July) Application periods may open earlier than stated.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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WE VALUE WHAT’S WITHIN

At Income, our people are not cast within the same mould. We embrace every individual’s unique traits and perspectives. Collectively, we create a positive spark as we work towards a common purpose: making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Find out more: income.com.sg/working-at-income

Reimagining Insurance At Income, we constantly innovate to come up with customer-oriented solutions. Our bite-sized insurance, SNACK, addresses customers’ pain points and pushes the industry’s boundaries.

Check out how we push boundaries and address pain points that people face with insurance.

No more large premium payments.

No more pinch of purchasing policies.

Build your coverage from just $0.30!

Purchase micro-policies through lifestyle triggers like transport.

snackbyincome.sg

No more commitment.

Start, stop and adjust whenever you want.

Say goodbye to paperwork.

Use our mobile app to check on payments, coverage accumulation and more!

snackbyincome

Teams behind SNACK! At Income, we value collaboration. For successful innovation, we see various departments coming together to create breakthroughs in the industry.

ACTUARIAL MADE DIFFERENT

Adaptable | Tech Enthusiasts | Fun Seekers The team developed a new pricing model for this industry-first design of issuing micro-policies tagged to lifestyle triggers.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MADE DIFFERENT

Visionary | Opportunity Seekers | Swift Responders With their technical expertise, the team built a robust infrastructure to support and enhance the SNACK app.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION MADE DIFFERENT

Relentless | Disruptive | Agile Thinkers By examining and understanding modern attitudes towards financial planning, the team conceptualised SNACK and its unique proposition!

MARKETING MADE DIFFERENT

Funtastic | Focused Vision | Data Driven Through the use of data and creativity, the team drove targeted awareness and efficient acquisitions for SNACK.

Join us to experience innovation, growth, performance and impact. income.com.sg/working-at-income

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HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS

UNITED OVERSEAS BANK

80 Raffles Place, UOB Plaza, Singapore 048624 EMAIL Joinus@uobgroup.com LOCATION

• Singapore BUSINESS FACTS

United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. In Asia, UOB operates through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as branches and representative offices across the region.

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Open to all disciplines CAREER SECTORS

• Accountancy and Financial Management • Banking and Financial Services • Insurance and Risk Management • Investment Banking and Investment Management APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Click here to find out more about being a UOB Personal Wealth Associate and start your application through our Chatbot – Jonus!

Personal Financial Services (PFS) serves individual customers across the Personal Banking, Wealth Banking, Privilege Banking and Privilege Reserve segments. We offer tailored financial solutions to help meet the entire spectrum of their savings, borrowing, insurance, investments and other needs. By harnessing digital and product innovation, offering a unique and proprietary approach to wealth advisory and tapping on our partner ecosystems, we create distinctive banking experiences for our customers delivered through a seamless customer journey across both online and in-person engagements.

Job opening for fresh graduates • Personal Wealth Associates

WANTEDLY SINGAPORE

Level 16, 380 Jalan Besar, ARC 380, Singapore 209000 WEB https://sg.wantedly.com/projects EMAIL Hello.sg@wantedly.com FACEBOOK @WantedlySG INSTAGRAM @WantedlySG LINKEDIN @WantedlySG LOCATIONS

• Singapore • International – Hong Kong, Japan

DEGREE DISCIPLINES

• Open to all disciplines.

CAREER SECTOR

BUSINESS FACTS

Wantedly is a technology company which offers a social recruiting and employer branding platform. Our mission is to create a world where work drives passion; where people and companies meet based on passions and values.

Founded in 2010, Wantedly is a Tokyo-based technology company helping you discover jobs that ignite your passion. We have built a social recruitment platform, where people and companies meet based on passion and values, rather than salary and benefits.

We are one of Japan's leading business networking platforms with over 2.4-million monthly active users and brands like UBER, Airbnb and Buzzfeed are acquiring talent via Wantedly. Serving more than 30,000 companies in Japan, we provide recruitment marketing and employer branding expertise, not to mention, a platform to scout and meet talents that identify with your company.

Wantedly has expanded internationally, including in Singapore and Hong Kong, and through the power of social media networking, talents like yourself can make your dream job a reality.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

• IT and Technology APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Here are the steps to apply on Wantedly platform: Step 1: Sign up and create your Wantedly profile (sg.wantedly.com) Step 2: Upload your resume and fill in as many details as possible, so employers can get to know you!

Step 3: Start your job search Step 4: Click, 'I'm Interested' button For any enquires, you can get in touch with the hiring manager directly via the Wantedly platform chat.

APPLICATION PERIODS

Graduate jobs: All year-round Internships: All year-round

www.sim.edu.sg

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