Say you’ve just finished your studies, completed a certificate course or graduated from a professional training programme. Now that you’ve earned your diploma, Singapore’s vast and thriving job market is ready and waiting for you. And whether you’re searching for your first job or on the cusp of switching careers, marketing yourself as a desirable employee to potential employers will undoubtedly be your foremost concern.
Though the idea of publicly patting yourself on the back might be uncomfortable, you’ll often need to do so in the professional world. Recognition and opportunities, after all, won’t come your way all on their own. Whether you’re setting up an online profile or portfolio, preparing for an interview or attending a networking event, the following strategies can make you a more attractive hiring prospect:
Display Your Soft Skills
Hard skills refer to the technical, teachable abilities that make a candidate a good fit for a particular job. These skills are often industry- or position-specific, and proficiency is also usually measurable. The hard skills required of a web designer, for instance, might include graphic design and HTML coding. Soft skills, meanwhile, are characteristics that make a person a good employee. Examples of soft skills include interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving.
Hiring managers will usually look at both hard skills and soft skills when screening potential candidates. It’s worth remembering, however, that the kinds of hard skills employers actively look for can change year by year. On the other hand, career experts generally agree that there will always be significant demand for soft skills no matter the industry. In fact, there’s abundant research to suggest many employers prioritise soft skills over hard skills when evaluating job candidates.
One of the best ways to demonstrate your soft skills is to share detailed anecdotes during job interviews. Instead of just stating what skills you feel you possess, tell your interviewers a story or two about how you’ve applied these skills in the past.
Upgrade Your Skill Set
If employers in your industry are hunting for particular abilities that you don’t yet possess, it might be worthwhile to find ways to acquire them. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to pick up new skills or earn new certifications to make yourself more employable. Many education websites and training institutions offer classes and accreditation programmes in a wide variety of fields. Simply search online for terms like “certificate of competency” or “diploma Singapore” and you’ll be directed to a wealth of resources and options for upskilling yourself, from full-time courses and work-study diploma programmes to part-time courses and traineeship programmes. Whether you’d like to learn basic photo editing, coding, public speaking, or any other skills, there’s sure to be a course out there for you.
Many of these training courses are conducted online or on flexible schedules, allowing you to learn at your convenience and pace yourself comfortably. And the best part? The majority of these courses are also highly affordable, and some may even be offered for free through credits provided via government initiatives like the SkillsFuture programme.
Build a Strong Social Media Presence
Social media platforms can help you establish a personal brand, showcase your skills and expertise and connect with influential individuals in your industry. Recruiters are also known to comb social media for promising candidates. A good online presence can help get you noticed, and it may even lead you to opportunities you wouldn’t have uncovered on your own.
If you’d like to make a favourable impression on your social media, the trick is to stay active. Make sure the work history, credentials and bio displayed on your profile are consistent, complete, and up-to-date. Write posts regularly about major goings-on in your professional life, like starting a new job, completing a certificate course or attending seminars and networking events.
Research the Companies You Apply To
Beyond skills, industry expertise and relevant work experience, employers will be on the lookout for candidates that are passionate about their organisation and its work. Interviewers, for example, will often ask applicants how they discovered the company or why they’re interested in working there. Thus, learning more about the companies you apply to could give you an advantage over your competition before you even come in for your interview.
A company’s website, social media pages and online reviews are a good place to start your research. Friends or acquaintances who currently work at the company or have worked there in the past may also be able to provide you with valuable insight about their experiences. Doing this research will give you a better idea of what the company stands for, what its goals are and whether those goals align with your own.
Educate Yourself on Your Industry
Along with looking up your target companies, it also helps to learn as much as you can about your industry. Familiarise yourself with your sector’s pressing concerns, the major changes or developments it’s experienced in the last few years, the general behaviour of its consumers and other relevant information. Presenting yourself as an expert in your particular industry sends the message that you’re committed to furthering not only your own goals but the goals of your field at large. This may, in turn, make potential employers more eager to hire you.
If you’re in the market for a new job, it’s in your best interest to put your skills and experience on display whenever and however you can rather than wait for people to notice you. Proactively marketing yourself will also help to hire managers to understand how their company can benefit from investing in you.
