7/29/2019 SG_Final

1/20

EsseaJob SEARCH GuidE

EsseaGuidE SERiES

http://www.michaelpage.com.sg/

7/29/2019 SG_Final

2/20

Take your workseriously and

yourself lightly.Bob Nelson

Essential Job Search Guide 2

7/29/2019 SG_Final

3/20

Essential Job Search Guide Whats inside | 3

Sharpeningyour

CV

Making the Most of your

jbsearch

The

intrviw

GettinG whatyoure

DeciDing yourcAreer

dt

7/29/2019 SG_Final

4/20

c ng your career rect on

To nd your ideal job, its critical to map out exactly what youre looking for and howyou can get there. Having a clear idea of what you want will give focus to your jobsearch and ensure youre applying for the right roles.

Here are some fundamental questions to get you thinking about your career direction:

dECidinG youRCAREERrec

Essential Job Search Guide Deciding Your Career Direction | 4

wHAtAREM

ykEyS

killS?

wHEREdoiwAnttoGo?

wHAt

doiREA

llywAn

t?

7/29/2019 SG_Final

5/20

ge 5

CAREER

ACTIO

NPLAN

dECidinG wHAt you wAnt

What motivates me and what do I enjoy doing?

What are my personal strengths and weaknesses?

What kind of lifestyle do I want to have?

What are the ve key things I really want in a job?

idEntifyinG youR SkillS

What qualications and experience do I have?

What are my key technical and soft skills?

What are my biggest achievements to date?

What are my weaknesses and areas for development?

CHooSinG A diRECtion Which industries really appeal to me?

What type of roles would suit me best?

Do these options match my skills and attributes?

What areas will I need to develop?

MAkE itHAppEnNow that you have abetter idea of your careerdirection, its time to putyour career goals into apractical action plan.

Essential Job Search Guide Deciding Your Career Direction | 5

uCLICKH

ERETO

DOWNLOADY

OUROW

N

CAREER

ACTIONPLAN

7/29/2019 SG_Final

6/20

arpen ng your cv

foCuSEd on

ACHiEvEMEntS Avoid listing your daily workload. Instead,

focus on the unique accomplishmentsthat make you stand out

Show how you contributed to theorganisation; did you save money or time,exceed targets, solve problems, improveprocesses, or attract new customers?

Where possible, quantify how you addedvalue with numbers, percentages ordollar amounts.

MAtCHEd to tHEJob dESCRiption

Show a clear match between yourskills and the job requirements

Demonstrate how you meet the keyskills, experience and attributes theemployer is looking for

Emphasise your most relevantstrengths and eliminate details thatare unrelated to the position

Use similar key words to those usedin the job description, to create a linkin the mind of the reader.

Research suggeststhat employers scan jobapplications within about

20 secs,so its important to showthem at a glance whyyou are the best t

CoMpEllinG REAdinG Ensure the tone is enthusiastic, upbeat

and professional

Put your strongest and most relevantpoints rst, using action words such ascompleted, developed and managed

Present your accomplishments honestlybut condently using high impact wordslike rst, best and highest

Keep the layout of your CV simple withlots of white space, bulleted informationand a plain, readable font.

Three or four pages are usuallysufcient, so choose clear, conciselanguage.

Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV | 6

A Cv iS youR pERSonAlMARkEtinG doCuMEnt.

For the best chance of selling your skills and abilities to a potential employer, ensure it is:

7/29/2019 SG_Final

7/20

ge

GEt tHEStRuCtuRERiGHtStEp 1:Centre your contact details at the top of your

resume. Include your name, address, phone number,mobile number and email address

StEp 2:List the relevant education and training that youhave undertaken, starting with your most recent studies

StEp 3:

Outline your career history in reversechronological order. List your job title, name ofthe employer, a short description of the company(if appropriate), and the dates you worked there

StEp 4:For each role, outline your key responsibilities,skills and accomplishments

StEp 5:

End your resume by naming your referees,or stating that they are available on request

umRes

e

wHy CovER lEttERS Still Count

A concise and compelling cover letter is yourchance to:

Create a strong rst impression and attractthe readers attention

Stand out by explaining why you make thebest t for the job

Express your personality by describing yourstrengths in your own words

Show enthusiasm for the opportunity throughyour tone and wording

Demonstrate how your skills match the needsof the employer

Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV | 7

uCLICKHERETO

VIEWASAM

PLE

RESUME

CliCk here

for more info on how to create

a convincing cover letter

7/29/2019 SG_Final

8/20

ng t e most o your searc

MAkinG tHEMoSt of youR

jSEARCHHow to bEGin youR Job SEARCH

When looking for a new role, the key is to work smarter,not harder. Here are some easy ways to kick off your job

search and maximise your chances of nding a great role:

Find a good recruiter

By working closely with a good recruitment consultancy,you can gain access to new opportunities before theyreadvertised, and take advantage of expert career advice.

Set up job alerts

Leading recruitment company sites and majorjob sites have hundreds of opportunities to search

through. Register with these sites to have relevant jobssent to your inbox daily.

Scan relevant publicationsScan relevant trade publications and e-newsletters for

the latest roles. Newspapers are also a good sourceof current vacancies.

Enlist the help of your network

Talk to friends, family, colleagues anyone you knowthat could monitor opportunities, introduce you to new

contacts, and provide referrals.

Essential Job Search Guide Making The Most Of Your Job Search | 8

You can registerwith the Michael Page

mage serceto get jobs emailed toyou daily from some ofthe countrys top

employers.

https://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.htmlhttps://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.htmlhttps://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.htmlhttps://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.htmlhttps://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.htmlhttps://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.htmlhttps://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.htmlhttps://www.michaelpage.com.sg/mypage-register.html

7/29/2019 SG_Final

9/20

iS tHE Job RiGHt foR you?

top 5 Job SEARCH tipS1. For the best chance ofnding a job, keep your

options open, consider avariety of roles, and have adegree of exibility aroundsalary expectations.

Be Flexible

2. Dont underestimatethe time it takes to nd the

right role. Even if youre notready to move yet, startbrowsing the type of jobsavailable, including theskills required and salarieson offer.

Start Looking Now

3. As well as polishingyour CV, you should make

a list of the companies,job types and salaryyou are looking for, andregister with recruitmentconsultancies thatspecialise in your job typeand market.

Get Prepared

4. Think about the skillsand experience required foryour next role. Determinewhat you can do now toboost your appeal withpotential employers.

5. Mingling with peersat industry events andprofessional associationsis a great way to gatherjob leads and build yourreputation as a well-connected professional.

Build YourNetwork

Increase YourEmployability

Essential Job Search Guide Making The Most Of Your Job Search | 9

doES tHE RolE: Seem compatible with your attitude,

beliefs and personality?

Make use of your key strengths andattributes?

Provide scope to gain new skills andknowledge?

Offer clear prospects for career

development?

doES tHE CoMpAny: Offer a clear and attractive career path?

Have company values that align withyour own?

Have a strong nancial standing withhigh quality leadership?

Offer a salary that rewards yourskills and experience?

Offer conditions that are important toyou? (e.g. exible work arrangements)

7/29/2019 SG_Final

10/20

7/29/2019 SG_Final

11/20

Social networkingsites rank highly in

Gge search

ress.To help control your onlineprole, ensure you have

high quality social mediaproles.

Essential Job Search Guide Building Your Online Brand | 11

Want more infoon managing your

online reputation?

Comment with care

Every word you post online is permanent, so be aware of the impression your photos,

comments, emails, tweets and updates are making to potential employers.

Adjust your privacy settings

Most photo-sharing and social networking sites allow you to restrict who can view andcomment on your content. Check your privacy settings to ensure your personal contentis hidden from prying eyes.

Monitor the comments of others

Unattering photos or unintentionally harmful content may be posted about you byothers, so be sure to monitor and remove items that should not be made public.

Determine public vs. private content

If you are using social media for both personal (family/friends) and professional(networking with colleagues) purposes, ensure what you share is appropriate for bothgroups.

Search for your name

Google yourself regularly to ensure all search results are positive and professional.

protectINGyouroNlINereputatIoN

CliCk here to visit

our website

7/29/2019 SG_Final

12/20

nterv ew

tHE

ereARE you pREpAREd?To convince the interviewer youre the best personfor the job, preparation is vital. Follow these tips toimpress your potential employer duringthat critical rst meeting.

Understand the role

Re-read the job advertand positiondescription. Thinkabout what you are

likely to be askedabout the role, as wellas what questionsyoud like to haveanswered.

Research, thenresearch some more

Research everythingyou can about yourprospective employerthrough their website,company reports andpress coverage. Usethis knowledge todemonstrate initiativeand boost yourcredibility with theinterviewer.

Practice, practice,practice

Youve heard thesaying if you fail toprepare, prepare tofail! The most criticalstep in interviewpreparation is takingthe time to rehearseanswers to commonquestions.

Know your strengths

The interview is your

opportunity to showwhat youve done,and what you can do.Think about how youcan sell yourself withconcrete, convincingexamples of whatmakes you special.

Ask the right questions

Asking intelligentquestions is a tacticguaranteed to impressyour interviewer. It alsodemonstrates yourinitiative, knowledge andresearch.

Essential Job Search Guide The Interview | 12

Click here for advice

on answering some of

the most

popular interview

questions.

Click here for

sample questions

to ask at your next

interview

7/29/2019 SG_Final

13/20

MAkinG A GREAt

iMpRESSionNo matter how compelling you appearon paper, its the impression you make in

person thats the deciding factor.

Wheninterviewingpeoplewithsimilarskillsandexperience,

thecandidatewiththebestattitudeandmostenthusiasmfortherolewillalwayscomeoutontop.

Be there on time

Being punctual shows professionalism andenthusiasm. Give yourself plenty of traveltime in case you are delayed, and aim to

arrive about 10 minutes early.

Get dressed for success

To convey that you are serious about therole and would be a good representativefor the company, be sure to dress neatly,professionally and relatively conservative.

Beat the nerves

Even the most seasoned professional can

get interview nerves. The best you cando is prepare thoroughly, think positivelyand focus your energy on giving the bestinterview you can.

Greet with condence

First impressions count! Greet yourinterviewer standing, with a rm handshake,good eye contact and a smile.

Watch your delivery

Actions speak louder than words, so ensureyour body language (tone, eye contact,posture) is positive. Try to convey genuineenthusiasm, warmth and professionalism.

End on a positive note

Close the interview with a handshake, asmile and a genuine thank you. A brief,friendly email thanking the interviewer fortheir time is a nice touch.

-andshowit!

RemembeR

toget

excited

Essential Job Search Guide The Interview | 13

7/29/2019 SG_Final

14/20

To really impress apotential employer, make

sure you stand outas the most preparedcandidate

Essential Job Search Guide The Interview | 14

No matter how impressive

your CV appears, theinterview is your chance tosell your skills, experienceand personality so theres nodoubt that youre the bestperson for the job.

Whilst every person hasdifferent strengths andskill sets, there are threekey qualities that will help

you to stand out from yourcompetition:

Professionalism. Employershire people they cantrust to represent theirbusiness in a professionalway. Professionalism iscommunicated throughyour punctuality, choiceof dress, and the way you

interact with the interviewer.

Ensure you conduct yourself

professionally throughoutall stages of the interviewprocess, and be sure todeliver responses thatare well-considered andarticulate.

Preparation. It may soundobvious, but its an areathat many job seekers couldimprove in. Employers want

to be impressed by yourknowledge of the company.They want to see youvemade the effort to nd outabout their culture, theproducts and services theyoffer and their position inthe market. They want youto ask thoughtful, intelligentquestions and deliver smart,polished answers. To really

impress a potential employer,

make sure you stand out asthe most prepared candidate.

Passion. Employers wantpeople who are excited tocome to work each day. Theywant to see an eagerness tolearn and grow, a strong workethic, and a positive attitudeto work. Whilst any numberof candidates could bring the

right skills and experience toa company, the nal hiringdecision is often determinedby how much you want thejob. For the best chanceof winning your ideal role,let your enthusiasm for theopportunity shine through.

Good luck!

www.michaelpage.com.sg

Jerme bManaging Director at

Michael Page

7/29/2019 SG_Final

15/20

t ng w at your wort

bEfoRE you StARtnEGotiAtinG youR nEwSAlARy, itS CRitiCAl to doyouR HoMEwoRk.

Essential Job Search Guide Getting What Youre Worth | 15

How strong is theCoMpAny?Take the time to research the nancialperformance of the company, its recentstaff movements and industry conditions.This will help you to better understand thecompanys position and anticipate potentialobjections when negotiating your salary.

For the best chance of a successful negotiation you musthave a clear idea of what your skills and experience areworth and be prepared to ask for what you want.

Whats thebEnCHMARk?Scan similar jobs on the internet to nd outthe average range for your sector, locationand experience. You can also leverage theknowledge of your industry colleaguesfor advice on what people are earning insimilar positions.

What do theExpERtS SAy?Speak to your recruitment consultant forexpert advice on what your particular skillsand experience are worth. They matchjobseekers with new roles daily, so willhave a good idea of what you could earn in

the current market.

CliCk HEREto nd out what youre worth in

the Michael Page Salary Survey

http://www.michaelpage.com.sg/ContentArticle/page/7618/title/Salary-and-Employment-Forecast.htmlhttp://www.michaelpage.com.sg/ContentArticle/page/7618/title/Salary-and-Employment-Forecast.htmlhttp://www.michaelpage.com.sg/ContentArticle/page/7618/title/Salary-and-Employment-Forecast.htmlhttp://www.michaelpage.com.sg/ContentArticle/page/7618/title/Salary-and-Employment-Forecast.htmlhttp://www.michaelpage.com.sg/ContentArticle/page/7618/title/Salary-and-Employment-Forecast.html

7/29/2019 SG_Final

16/20

Essential Job Search Guide Getting What Youre Worth | 16

CAn you AnSwER tHE

touGH quEStionS?Great negotiation skills come with practice. Enlist the help of your recruitmentconsultant to practice answering these tough questions with condence:

Can you holdyouR GRound?Employers respect applicants who are hardbut fair negotiators. Having the condenceto negotiate well for yourself shows theemployer that you could bring these skillsto the role. Avoid reacting emotionallyto the discussion - treat it as a regularbusiness negotiation.

Who talksfiRSt?Always wait for your interviewer to raisethe topic of salary negotiation rst.Youre in the best position to talk aboutcompensation when the employer hasoffered you the job, is hopeful of employingyou and has suggested a gure rst.

Whats yourbACk up plAn?Good negotiators will enter a meetingwith a range of options. If the opportunityto negotiate salary is limited, think aboutother potential alternatives like support foreducation and training, exible hours, or asalary review in 6 to 12 months.

What is your current salary?

What do you think theposition is worth?

What are your salaryexpectations?

7/29/2019 SG_Final

17/20

eer act on p an

Essential Job Search Guide Deciding Your Career Direction |Appendix

CAREER ACTION PLAN

7/29/2019 SG_Final

18/20

mp e

Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV |Appendix

1 Contact

informationAlways include yourtelephone number,email address andresidential address.

2 EducationBe specic aboutyour education.Include your

university, the courseyou completed anddate of graduation.

5 LanguagesLanguage skillsare importantso include yourabilities in this area.

4 Computer skills

Computer skills areimportant and youshould denitelyindicate yourprociency.

3 Professional

qualicationsState your professionalqualications togetherwith the date of yourqualications and any

awards received.

SAMPLE RESUME

ANGIE CHAN

PERSONAL DETAILS

RESIDENCE 11 Blue St, Jurong, Singapore 609434H: +65 6643 9700 W: +65 6643 9701E: mpage@email.com.sg

EDUCATION Singapore-Cambridge GCE A Level 2002Nanyang Girls High School

Bachelor of Business 2005(Major: Accounting, graduated with credit)National University of Singapore

PROFESSIONAL CAT 2008

QUALIFICATIONS ACCA 2011

COMPUTER SKILLS Conversant with: Excel Symphony MS Access Word

LANGUAGES Mandarin Fluent spoken and written

LEISURE INTERESTS Water sports and music, particularly jazz

CURRENT POSITION Recruitment ConsultantMichael Page International Singapore Pty Ltd

1

3

4

5

2

7/29/2019 SG_Final

19/20

Essential Job Search Guide Sharpening Your CV |Appendix

6

6 Company

descriptionDescribe your currentemployer concisely,i.e. size, marketsector, turnover ifapplicable, as thisinforms the readerand gives them aframe of reference.

7 PositionDisplay your mostrecent job rstand then workchronologicallybackwards (usingmonths and years inthe dates) giving lessspace to earlier jobs.Since space will beat a premium your

objective must beto inform and excitethe reader.

8 Responsibilities

and achievementsWhenever possible,include the experiencerelevant to a particularjob and always quantify

your responsibilitiesand achievements sothat employers canquickly identify howyou can add valueto their business.

ReferencesReferences do not haveto appear on the resume,although be preparedto provide references onrequest. It is a good idea to

state that you have businessreferences available.

SAMPLE RESUME

ANGIE CHANCAREER HISTORYJANUARY 2008 TO PRESENT MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL (MPI) SINGAPORE PTY LTD

COMPANY DESCRIPTION Michael Page International Pty Ltd is a $500m turnover recruitmentconsultancy with ofces in Australia, Asia, the UK, Europe andthe Americas.

POSITION Recruitment Manager (promoted from Recruitment Consultant)

RESPONSIBILITIES Managing a team of six recruiters Developing consultants skills Successfully managing a substantial Preferred Supplier Agreement

with one of Chinas largest blue chips and increased market shareby 17% in 2009

Offering a business-to-business service based on providingrecruitment solutions to ensure the best possible match between acandidate and client. This covers both the technical abilities of thecandidate and those required by the client.

Assessing candidates abilities and personality using behavioural-based interview techniques

Initiating a plan of action (specic jobs, client etc) Maintaining constant contact to ensure service levels are maximised Developing existing client relationships via regular calls, client

events and provision of information such as salary surveys etc. Face-to-face meetings to gain a better understanding of the clients

workplaces and promote Michael Page Providing recruitment strategies and service that will exceed both

candidate and client expectations

Reason for leaving relocating to Fiji where there is no currentMichael Page ofce.

FEBRUARY 2006 TOSEPTEMBER 2008 ARTHUR WILLIAMS & PARTNERS

COMPANY DESCRIPTION Arthur Williams & Partners is a medium-sized rm of charteredaccountants with ve ofces across Asia Pacic. It has a diversiedclient base, including public companies, private companies, soletraders and partnerships.

POSITION Audit Manager (promoted from Trainee)

RESPONSIBILITIES Planning, controlling and reviewing audit and related tax workon three public company clients, prior to partner review

Planning and competing accounts, audit and taxation work on avariety of private groups in industries such as manufacturing,retail and agriculture

Involvement in due diligence work prior to an acquisition bya public company client

Considerable involvement in the recruitment of graduates intothe rm whilst at Assistant Manager level Direct supervision of up to eight members of staff Full client liaison, including billing and cash collection

Reason for leaving Decided to pursue a career in commerce

7

8

7/29/2019 SG_Final

20/20

MiCHAEl pAGE

For more career tips and insights, visit:

SinGApoRE - RAfflES plACEOne Rafes PlaceOfce Tower 2,#09-61Singapore 048616Tel +65 6533 2777Fax +65 6533 7227enquiries@michaelpage.com.sg

michaelpage.com.sg/careercentre blog.michaelpage.asia