
If you’re graduating from
polytechnic or university this year, your introduction to the workforce is
going to be very different from years previous. The spread of Covid-19 has
deeply impacted the economy, and many companies have frozen hiring or paused their
internship programmes.
However, don’t lose hope!
There is as much opportunity in these times as there are disadvantages, and
it’s your job to capitalise on those possibilities and net yourself a good
position.
We have some advice for
you that’s more practical than “keep your chin up and your head in the game”,
so take a few minutes to read and get ready to search:
1. Aim
for “hot” industries
Covid-19
has hit the travel, retail, manufacturing and transport industries hard, and
many of their firms have stopped welcoming new blood as a result. But essential
services are hotter than ever, as mainstay sectors like healthcare and social work are urgently hiring for a variety of
positions. IT and cybersecurity are also blossoming now, as big data
and analytical solutions are necessary to measure the impact of the virus.
Even
if your major isn’t directly relevant to an industry, check out positions in
related companies. For example, engineers are in high demand at hospitals as
they need more people to check and maintain equipment. Many non-profit organisations are also looking for permanent staff in
the current situation.
2. Perfect
your resume
Have
some free time now that you don’t have classes to attend? Polish your resume!
It is the first glimpse the company will get of you, so you must make the best
impression you can. Remember to summarise your skills, include relevant
qualifications and experiences, and make sure your contact details are up front
and impossible to miss.
More time also means you can tailor your resume to each job you apply to. Look through the posting and use keywords and phrases that it mentions, and remove unnecessary information. Even if you don’t have a certificate in a particular skill, you can always mention that you have experience in it (and be prepared to validate yourself during the interview). You can also use graphic tools like Canva to construct a visually-appealing CV.
If
your resume is ready, go ahead and upload it!
3. Keep
up with the news
Did
you know that financial institutions are continuing to
offer internships and jobs?
Or about the various positions and traineeships under SGUnited? Hopefully you’ve been keeping up with
the news so you know where to start applying.
Keep
abreast of developments, initiatives and openings in Singapore and in your
field so you know where to apply. Industry blogs will provide a good sense of
the trends in your specific field, while recruitment advice on forums and news
sites will help you on a more general level.
Keeping
abreast of job-related movement will also impress your interviewer, as you
demonstrate what a well-informed and up-to-date individual you are. Reading the
news regularly is a win-win for a jobseeker.
4. Social
Network Socially
Other
than sending out applications, you must also maintain a connected online
presence so that people will contact you. A professional LinkedIN page is a must – make sure you share
articles, write comments and keep your profile as recent as possible. Take
advantage of the bottomless storage online to upload testimonials, work samples
and past projects as well.
If
you’re interested in something, showcase your expertise with a blog or website.
You can go to Wix.com
and set up your professional profile, or hit WordPress or Weebly for a blog about your volunteering
experiences.
A
powerful social media presence and professional online portfolio will up your
visibility and get you all sorts of contacts – some of which may offer for you.
5. Practice
Interviews
In
Singapore before Covid-19, many interviews were face-to-face. That is not the
situation currently – most job interviews are via phone or video. So it’s time
to practice for this new reality, and brush up on your long-distance interview
skills.
After
reading our tips, it’s time to prepare and rehearse. Ready your interview
space by getting rid of the mess and testing your equipment. Then prepare your
pitch, practice answers to popular interview questions, and practice smiling at
your laptop/phone camera (trust us that it’s a lot more difficult than it
looks). You can have a friend pretend to interview you as well, so you are
ready for the real thing.
Looking for your first job is never easy, and it may be even more difficult now. All the more reason to do your best, go the extra mile, and score that interview!
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