Choosing Your Right Recruitment Partner
June 11, 2010
There are many ways to land yourself a job, and one of the more efficient and effective way is to seek assistance from a staffing/recruitment agency. With their wide network of clients, these agencies are able to extend multiple job opportunities to you, at the same time sieving out suitable positions based on your experience, personality, interests and skill.
With the large number of recruitment consultancies in Singapore, it is never easy for you to choose and partner up with one. How do you know which one to choose and which one is right for you? Here are some tips that may help you out:
Background
Find out how well-established the company is locally, and globally. Research the agencies thoroughly to know which are the clients they are supporting. A recruitment company with numerous offices over various territories in the world and within your country will definitely be a better option over one with only an office in Singapore.
Reputation
Read the forums; look at the newspapers and magazines to find out if the agency is getting publicity for the wrong reasons. Word-of-mouth is also a good way for you to find out how other people perceive the company.
Branding
Look at the websites of the recruitment agencies to find out how professional the company is. This is usually a platform which potential clients and candidates will access to learn more about the company and hence, the website reflects how the company wants to portray itself to others. Having presence in social media (e.g. FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, etc) will also elevate the visibility of the agency among the younger generation.
Response
Agencies that are quick in answering phone calls and replying to emails will leave behind a good impression with candidates. Their replies should of course be polite and professional too. The efficiency towards you as a candidate will illustrate how prompt and proficient the agency is towards their client.
People
The way the recruitment consultant presents themself will best represents the image of the company. Equal to how the consultant assesses you, you should also pay attention and evaluate the performance of the consultant. Is the consultant dressed appropriately and professionally? How familiar is the consultant with the industry, profile of their client, job functions of the recommended role, etc? Does the consultant listen to your opinions and take on board your requests? Does the consultant provide suggestions on how you can improve on your performance in an interview? Ask yourself such questions to determine if this person has the ability to represent you effectively.
Having considered all these areas, you will be able to identify which recruitment agency deserves a copy of your CV. Recommendations and future partnerships may even take place, if they are strong in following up, and have the intention to keep in touch and retain talents like you!
More Grads Opting for Internships
August 25, 2009
Adecco contributed to this great piece on internships in The Sunday Times (Singapore) on 23rd August.
| “More grads opting for internships” By Jamie Ee Wen Wei | ||
| At a time like this, a fresh graduate with two job offers will be the envy of her peers.
But Ms Bernadette Yuen, 23, turned down the full-time offers and instead opted for a two-month internship with an events firm, The Event Company Staging Connections. She graduated in communications studies from Nanyang Technological University just a month ago. ‘I wanted something new but I didn’t want to venture into a new area without first seeing if it fits me,’ said Ms Yuen, who majored in journalism. Unlike her, though, more fresh graduates may be opting for internships because regular jobs are scarce. Mr Tay Kok Choon, head of strategic sales development of JobStreet Singapore, said the jobs portal has seen a strong interest and willingness among fresh graduates to accept internships. They see an internship as one way to beef up their resume and stay afloat before the economy recovers, human resource experts said. Companies, on their part, are actively recruiting interns. JobStreet said it is seeing more internships being offered on its database. The recent slew of government-linked initiatives aimed at benefiting new graduates is also believed to be helping them land such jobs. In March, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) set up its Finance Graduate Immersion Programme to provide unemployed new university graduates with subsidised internships and attachments in the financial industry. MAS declined to provide numbers for those employed under the scheme. Human resources experts noted that apart from the public sector, the retail, IT, marketing and media industries are keen to hire interns. Indeed, internship can be a win-win situation for companies and new graduates. For the companies, hiring interns can provide a short-term workforce buffer. It also allows the firms to look out for suitable talent, said Ms Joyce Lim, area manager for human resource company Adecco Singapore. As for the new graduates, they will gain experience and engage in networking, said Mr Peter Haglund, country manager of Manpower Staffing Services (Singapore). ‘It also helps them to determine if they have an interest in a particular job,’ he said. Logically, interns who do well can expect full-time job offers after their stint. HR experts interviewed said they see a good number of interns offered permanent jobs after their internships ended. Mr Haglund said: ‘Industries such as IT tend to work more on a project basis. Firms may hire interns to fill temporary job positions and the chance of an internship becoming a full-time job is slim once the project ends. ‘But there are industries, such as F&B, retail and events management, that constantly require people to man frontline positions. Here, chances of an intern getting a full-time job are higher.’ For an internship to work, HR experts say both sides - the company and the fresh graduate - need to take the process seriously and set clear objectives from the start. JobStreet’s Mr Tay said: ‘It is not a vacation job for the participants to make some pocket money or for the companies to hire cheap labour.’ Remuneration-wise, he said a stipend of between $600 and $1,200 monthly is fairly common for interns. Benefits like health insurance are normally extended to interns too, he added. Interns should not expect a cushy time. Take it from Ms Yuen. In her short stint, she was involved in conceptualising proposals for four events and making pitches to high-profile clients in the oil and pharmaceutical industries. ‘I was quite overwhelmed at times. There isn’t a lot of hand-holding and the pace of work is very fast. The learning curve is very steep,’ she said. While the company has indicated it may create a full-time job for her, she may still look for other positions. She does not regret her decision to take up the internship. ‘I enjoyed the challenging work and, to a certain extent, it’ll make my resume look better. It shows that I can do something different.’ How to turn that internship into a full-time job:
Sources: Mr Peter Haglund, country manager of Manpower Staffing Services (Singapore); Mr Tay Kok Choon, head of strategic sales development of JobStreet Singapore; and Ms Joyce Lim, area manager of Adecco Singapore |
Cover Letter: Is it important?
July 3, 2009
When applying for jobs, there are several requirements and expectations that job seekers have to meet for a higher possibility in being accepted for a job that they have applied. Most employers and recruiters require their job applicants to be readily equipped with a cover letter, resume, relevant academic certificates and/or work-related experience to support in strengthening their job application. This is especially so in tough times due to the competitive nature of the job market.
Never underestimate the importance of writing a good cover letter as it is often the key to opening the window of a potential job opportunity. Especially in today’s job market, most companies are giving much importance on the presence of cover letters; and competition is high even for entry level positions.
Employers and recruiters receive tons of applications everyday and will not have the time to flip through all the resumes. That’s where a cover letter comes in. Cover letter acts as an ‘executive summary’ and serves as a personal advertisement for you to sell yourself professionally. It tells the employers and recruiters at a glance a brief introduction on your capabilities and strengths that can value-add to their company, and why he should consider you further and call you for an interview.
What makes a good cover letter? It is one that attracts an employer or recruiter’s attention in the shortest amount of time and makes them really want to meet you. As your cover letter is your first point of contact with the prospective employer, it should be organized in a manner in which it is interesting, attractive, brief and informative. It should highlight your skills, experiences and achievements, and this will form the basis of a positive and productive discussion with the interviewer as it promotes you in a professional way.
Superhero of the 2009 Job Market
June 4, 2009
Superhero: Mr. Fantastic
Super Power: Flexibility
There are other superheroes with greater power and strength, but I choose to be the leader of the Fantastic Four for his power of flexibility. Mr. Fantastic is like rubber – having the ability to be twisted and stretched in any way possible. Applying the same concept to a fresh graduate looking for a job in this current job market, you will have to be flexible to compromise and make changes. Here are three main areas which fresh graduates should note when they begin their job search.
Look at different job search strategies
Success begins somewhere. Don’t wait for a job to come to you. Go out there and seek for it. Other than the usual avenues such as newspaper, online job portals and recruitment agencies, attending career fairs, being involved in social media and networking (family, friends, relatives, acquaintances) are great ways to gather information on possible job opportunities out there and expand your list of contacts.
Explore different types of jobs
Be flexible in the type of jobs you want. Being open to new opportunities meant being opened to learn something new. Consider all possibilities as you may find something that you have not done before but you may be interested in and really enjoy.
Explore temporary assignments and contract positions whether it’s three months, six months or even a year. Contract positions are gateways to permanent jobs and with the flexibility in being rotated to different departments; it is an opportunity to gain a diverse range of exposure and experience in various duties.
Lower expectations
Accept lower starting pay and be willing to travel further away from your home. (Singapore is not that big and transport is convenient around the island.) Instead of looking to earn more money, look at how you can build up/sharpen your character and skills that are required for your future dream job. Besides, gaining work experience gives you a feel of your ‘ideal’ job and boosts your resume.
Final note: Even in these times of ever-changing economic climate and tightening job market, there are opportunities available in new or related industries. The only difference is that it has become more competitive for fresh graduates to find them. You will have to put in much more effort to dig them out and not leave any one stone unturned.
“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.” – Sam Ewing
The Art of Selling Yourself at Job Interviews
June 1, 2009
Job interviews are particularly useful for both potential employers and employees. It is a chance for the employer to get to know the candidate’s experiences and background better and as such, be able to ascertain the candidate’s suitability. On the other hand, it is an excellent opportunity for the candidate to show the potential employer what he or she will get should the candidate be hired.
Job interviews are like sales calls, or rather, an invited sales call. Should you get selected for a job interview, bring along all your best “products and services”, i.e., yourself, and be prepared to sell, sell, sell!
Here are six strategies which will be helpful in increasing your chances of clinching that much coveted job!
Strategy One: Engage in a Spot of Detect Work
Learn all there is to know about the company. If you want to sell something to someone, you would need to know a little of this person’s background in order to “tailor” your offering to suit him/her. Visit the website or ask to be sent some background information about the company. This will enable you to ask intelligent and appropriate questions during the interview. This knowledge will also prove useful when interviewers ask questions that relate to the company, such as, “Why do you want to work here?” and “What could you contribute to our organisation?”
Strategy Two: First Impression Counts
Always arrive at least 10 minutes early and treat everyone you meet with professionalism and kindness. You never know if the receptionist could contribute to your assessment!
Looking Great
This point has been dealt with to death but you will be surprised how often this is overlooked. As the saying goes, “clothes make a man”. How we dress speaks volumes about ourselves. Looking great does not mean buying expensive clothes. Professional-looking attire that fits well is all you need. It
is always better to dress conservatively for interviews. Lastly, pay attention to the small details that are sometimes overlooked - Are your shoes well polished? Is your shirt missing a button? Is your breath fresh?
Oh, Behave!
Our mannerism is equally important as our attire. There’s nothing worse than a well-dressed person behaving badly. Always start with a smile and a firm handshake. Address the interviewer by his/her last name, e.g. Mr Tan or Ms Chew. Remember to switch off your mobile phone before entering the
interview room. Be mindful of your body language throughout the interview. Always maintain eye contact and sit upright. Unless you are suffering from a sudden bout of fits or happen to be sitting on an ants’ nest, avoid fidgeting as it shows uneasiness and screams a lack of confidence. Other actions to avoid include shaking your legs, darting eyes, slouching and the constant crossing and uncrossing
Flash that mega-watt smile!
Yes, we all know how nerve-wrecking job interviews may get but that does not mean you should forget how to smile! Smiling helps you to relax and makes you come across as confident and approachable.
Strategy Three: Here is what I have to sell
Bring along extra copies of your resume, reference letters, and certificates to “back up” your resume as well as other supporting documents which will help set the foundation of credibility. It could be a rather clumsy and awkward moment should the interviewer ask for supporting documents and you do not have it with you. You may also wish to bring along a notepad for taking notes.
Strategy Four: Sales Presentation
Your main goal here is to impress and convince the interviewer that you are the right fit for the job. You need to be specific here and emphasize your achievements and skills that particularly relate to the position.
Listen carefully to what is being asked; take a few quick seconds to think it over and then answer. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question. It is alright to take a few moments of silence to gather your thoughts before answering. Try not to “beat around the bush” or take a long time to give the answer the interviewer is seeking.
Strategy Five: Honesty is the best policy
State truthfully your qualifications and your skills. Bragging is one thing, outright lies will trap you. Can you remember all the details of the lie? Will you be able to remain consistent? In the event you are hired, it would be a disaster if your employer realises that you cannot perform as you had said you could.
Strategy Six: Close the deal
At the end of an interview, ask the interviewer, “Based on this interview, is there anything that would keep you from hiring me for this position?” Depending on the nature of the job and the interviewer, you may or may not get an indication then. If not, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact.
After you leave, always send a thank you letter to the interviewer immediately. If there were several people that interviewed you, send them each a thank you note. It is good to keep the letter short but to also reiterate your interest in the position and your confidence in your qualifications. Don’t call the employer immediately. If the employer said they would have a decision in a week, it is acceptable to call them in a week, again to thank them for the interview and reiterate your interest. If you receive word that another
candidate was chosen, you may also send a follow-up letter to that employer, again thanking him or her for the opportunity to interview for the position. Let them know that should another or similar position open in the future, you would love to have the opportunity to be interviewed again.
Don’t know how to self-promote? Here are some tips on how to effectively sell yourself to the interviewer.
• When answering questions, start with phrases such as “I believe”, “I am confident”, “I will bring to this position.” Always be sure of your own capabilities and present yourself with confidence.
• Keep your presentation short and sweet to around two minutes or so. Use positive words that enhance this selling opportunity such as dependable, team player, efficient, initiative, organised, good negotiator and focused.
• While you want to highlight your achievements, always be mindful of your tone so that you don’t come across as bragging. There is a fine line between being confident about your accomplishments and being arrogant. Don’t cross that line.
• Be prepared to answer behaviour-based questions as this is an increasingly common method of interviewing. Behaviour-based questions could begin with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of a situationwhere…” In answering such questions, be sure that you have concrete evidence of situations where you’ve demonstrated creativity, initiative, excellent project management skills and/or strong capabilities in problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Prepare and ask questions that will help you to better understand what the recruiter is looking for in a candidate. This in turn will help you “sell” yourself in a manner that appeals to the recruiter. Some examples include:
- What skills should one have to excel in this position?
- What personal attributes are you looking for in a candidate for this job?
- How would you describe the company’s culture?
- What type of employees will fit in well with the culture?
• Show a keen interest in the position by explaining at the end of the interview how you will fit well into this job with your qualifications, experiences and personal attributes.
Creating a portfolio to land your dream job
June 1, 2009
As a marketing, design or interactive professional, your portfolio must be able to accurately represent your work and leave a lasting impression with a potential employer. Below are some ways to create a strong portfolio that will help you show off your hard and land your dream job or great-paying project!
Move into digital age
At this point, it is necessary to have both a print and a digital version of your portfolio. So you’re not web design savvy? There are still options for you if your forte isn’t web design. You can sign up for creative-focused online sites like coroloft.com or creativehotlist.com, where you can easily exhibit your work and also leverage it as a networking tool.
If web design is your strong-point, pay close attention to layout and functionality of your site. Naturally, your background in design will help and it’s hard to not show off all of your design skills, but a user- friendly site with working links and easy-to-navigate applications will pay off much more than one that’s too busy and complicated for the visitor.
Hard copy creations
Make sure there is no evidence of wear and tear on your portfolio. Even the most creative and accomplished work will lose its worth in tattered binding, leaving the impression of sloppiness and a disregard for first impressions. Most interviewers prefer a clean, clear bound book that sophisticatedly and simply displays your extraordinary work.
Organisation is also very important in a visually appealing portfolio. Be sure that the layout is clear and the logic of arrangement is easily understandable or explained. Typically, people will choose to display their work by industry, role or work you managed versus work you produced. Put thought into how you want people to see your work, because that in itself will demonstrate your creativity and innovative mind.
Highlighting your accomplishments
Here is how you can best highlight you creative experience and accomplishments to a potential employer:
Choose wisely: Don’t over-inundate with every single piece of work that you’ve done over the course of your career. Include the pieces that best reflect your creative ability, design aesthetic and industry experience. Quality over quantity definitely rings true in a portfolio. Pick your top-line work while displaying different client work to show off your versatility.
Be appropriate: Your work should be able to go from a buttoned-up corporate employer to an unconventional one without changing a thing. Your work will speak for itself, so always remember to keep it suitable, and employers will surely see the scope of your ability.
Details: The best way to demonstrate your range from leadership to team-oriented roles is to include thorough information as to exactly what role you played in each item. This honesty as well as a tangible way to see your growth will surely be impressive to a potential employer.
10 Secrets to Successful Job Hunting
June 1, 2009
A successful job hunt is based on many factors. There will be some of us who will bring it down to solid credibility and
then, there are some who claim it is all due to luck.
For the uninitiated into the journey of a job hunt, the path may be paved with obstacles. Here is a common scenario: You send
out tons of resumes and for weeks, you hear from no one. It is both unnerving and frustrating. You wonder what went wrong.
Perhaps, it is time to take a look at the secrets to a successful job hunt.
1. Looking in all the right places
First of all, you need to be looking in the right places. The most popular sources would be the trusty newspapers and the
numerous internet job portals. However, do take note of other sources available and my advice is where possible, cast a wider
net!
A good way to start could be by networking. By using your current list of contacts, find out and learn of potential employers
as well as jobs which may be of interest to you. Share a copy of your latest resume with your network and ask for ideas as to
where you might turn to instead of outright asking for a job. Keep a record of your networking activities so that when needed, you may refer back to them for more information.
Ask around with your family and friends. An uncle in the family could know of someone who might know someone with an available position. You could also directly contact potential employers. However, an important rule to remember is to not stress or pressure anyone into looking for a job for you!
Check and register with your school job portals or career centres. There may be career counselors on hand to help with a job
placement for you. Usually, some companies may have already registered their vacancies with schools.
Another great way would be via recruitment firms. They are one of your best bets as they have a wider reach and can usually provide with better job contacts. You may have a higher chance of scoring jobs as sometimes; you may be contacted and offered
more than two opportunities! Plus, recruitment companies help to “screen” through jobs for you, leaving you with more time
for other stuff! Do conduct a proper search as some recruitment firms do take a percentage of your salary though most will
just bill the clients directly.
Recruitment firms also offer temporary and contract opportunities which you may take up while on the look out for permanent
roles. This is a good way of killing two birds with one stone!
2. Knowing what you want
It is important to know what you want. In this way, you are able to stay focused during your search. You will need to know
and be sure of the specific industries or sectors that you are interested in. It would be difficult to convince your recruiter that you are the right candidate for the position if you do not know what you want!
3. Look the part
If you are a fresh graduate, you might want to go for a mini-makeover to update your look to suit the corporate world. Unless
you are working in the creative industry, companies would usually request that employees look and dress appropriately. For
example, no pierced body parts, wild and colorful hairstyles and torn, baggy and tattered outfits for work! Do invest in quality garments that will take you through the first few years of your career.
4. Be different
Dare to be different as this will immediately set you apart from the rest of the similarly qualified candidates. When I say be different, it does NOT mean dressing or behaving quirky! It just means that you have to sit down and ask yourself, “What are my specific strengths? What are the skills and characteristics that I have which I am sure no other candidate would possess?” For example, you could be well-versed in Microsoft Office skills or have a flair for creativity. Sell your best skills, not your past job.
5. Research
Do a thorough research about your potential employers, the industry, as well as possible career prospects for the positions you are interested in. This will allow you to have a better understanding and speak intelligently should you be selected for an interview. You will also be able to better manage your expectations when requesting for your remuneration.
6. Performing right at interviews
You secured yourself an interview! Now what? Do not jeopardize it and pay attention to the following:
• Take note of small details like name pronunciation, job titles of interviewers and the date and time of the interview
• Research and understand the company profile, culture and history
• Always switch off your cell phone before any interview
• Read the latest news about the company and the world
• Bring along extra copies of resume. Make sure your resumes are kept short, preferably to two pages and are spell-proof.
• Create a positive first impression. Dress and speak well
• Maintain eye contact with your interviewer
• Offer selling points that other candidates do not have
• Offer a firm handshake at the end of the interview and thank the interviewer
7. After the interview
Writing a follow-up letter to the interviewer may not be necessary at times but then again, it shows the interviewer that you are serious and sincere about the position. This also gives you an edge over other candidates who may be passive. Your letter should be kept short. Provide a brief introduction and mention either your initial resume submission or a previous conversation regarding the position. It should include a few key points that make you qualify for the position. Close the letter with your contact information. It is a good idea to send a follow-up letter if you have not heard from the company within 1-2 weeks after your resume submission or contact.
8. Staying positive
Sometimes, after trying so hard at job hunting, you do not hear anything from the interviewers. It can be a discouraging period. However, it is crucial to stay positive! Positivity keeps one motivated. With motivation, you will continue to send out resumes and look forward to favourable replies.
9. Self evaluation
While staying positive, it may be a good time to perform a self-evaluation. Perhaps your resume still needs polishing or perhaps, you should watch your body language during interviews. Sit down with a close family member or friend and get them to tell you your little idiosyncrasies which might be working against you at interviews.
10. Never stop
Remember, no one “owes” you a job. It’s up to you to “win” a job by showing a potential employer you have the right attitude and skill. So, go get it!