Career Development FAQs

Career Development is the process of making and implementing career decisions. It is helpful whether you have a clear vision of what you want to do or less developed ideas. You can apply this process throughout your entire working life.

The following steps outline the Career Exploration Process:

Candidates who have personal qualities and skills that can be applied to many positions, are often sought after.

Gaining experience through internships, part-time jobs and summer jobs is important for strengthening your candidacy to prospective employers. Specific transferable skills and personal qualities are also desired.

Good grades are just part of the package you present to employers when marketing yourself.

Other factors include:

• Prior work experience
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills
• Desire to excel
• Leadership skills
• Team playing skills
• Willingness to learn
• Good grades in different courses
• Good study
• Risk taking ability

Resumes don’t get jobs – they get interviews! The resume is a document that summarises your education, experiences and qualifications to market you and your abilities to a potential employer.

Your resume should command the reader’s attention and be designed to fit a specific career path. This is the employer’s first impression of you,it should be written with a lot of thought and care. Focus strongly on the relevant skills related to the job you are applying for. Include your name, current address, a telephone number you can be easily reached and one email address you check often. Under education, start with the highest level you have achieved, include degree and (expected) graduation date, terms abroad, thesis, honours and relevant courses.

The most important part of the resume is the related/work experience. It should reflect the skills that are desired for the position you are applying for. List employer/organisation, location, designation, dates of employment and a brief job description. Be concise and concrete in job descriptions. Use action verbs and numbers. Describe responsibilities and skills used. Emphasise results and accomplishments.

List languages and degree of fluency. Be prepared to be interviewed in a language in which you claim fluency.

Optional sections in your resume are volunteer work, other activities, relevant skills (computer, language, etc), awards and honours.

Most resumes should be 1 page, if you have an extensive work history, 2 pages should be maximum.

Cover letters is as important as the resume. They are used to introduce the resume to prospective employer, express your interest in working for the organisation, highlight how your qualifications and experiences will contribute to the organisation, ask for an interview and demonstrate your good writing skills. Emphasise aspects of your background that best suit the organisation and position. Research the organisation and the position and determine which qualifications you possess that will make you a strong candidate.

A follow-up thank you letter after the interview is important in helping a person to recall who you are and the qualities you have for the position. Send the thank you letter within 2 days of the interview. Be sure to thank the employer for his/her time, mention the position, date and location of the interview. Briefly reiterate your qualifications and reaffirm your interest to be part of the organisation.

Before going for an interview, remember to research the organisation and anticipate any question you might be asked. Know what skills you possess that will make you a strong candidate, articulate those skills and why you want the job. Determine your short and long-term goals.

Learn as much as possible about the organisation, research the actual designation to better understand the job responsibilities. Think of a list of questions you will like to ask the employer at the end.

Dress appropriately for the interview. Professional business attire is always preferred: A suit in conservative colours. Be neat and coordinated in appearance. On the day of the interview, arrive early to ensure you are on time and have time to prepare. Bring extra copies of the latest version of your resume and a list of references on a separate sheet of paper. Learn how to sell yourself and be positive at all times.

Preparing a list questions to ask the interviewer demonstrates that you have taken an active role in approaching your interview. The part of the interview in which you ask questions is both a chance for you to demonstrate your motivation and interest in the job as well as a chance for you to get the information you may need later when evaluating job offers.

After the interview, shake the interviewer’s hand and thank him or her for her time and for the opportunity.

Questions about salary, fringe benefits, vacation days and health insurance should NOT be asked until you receive the job offer.

References

References should be people who can be contacted by potential employers to verify your work history and to inquire about your quality of work.

Former/current employers, internship supervisors or professors are good references. They should be people who know you and work well enough to comment. Ideally, they should be in position of authority over you and view your work firsthand.

You should not use relatives as references. Old family friends may be quoted if the friend works in the field you are applying for. Create a list of at least three current and/or former employers who can be contacted as references. List the employers’ names, companies, address, contact numbers and dates that you worked for them. Do contact your references to let them know that someone may be calling them.

Letters of recommendations

Try to request for a letter as soon as a job, internship or class ends. When asking for recommendation letter, give some guidelines for the letter (either in writing or verbally): remind them of your job duties and point out any successes/accomplishments you had on the job.

Sometimes you may be ask to write a draft of the letter for them. Take this opportunity to take an objective look at your performance and write a solid letter of recommendation. Be honest but not modest!

Networking is one of the most important skills to develop, regardless of your career interests. The ability to talk to people and ask questions will help you not only find an internship or a job but also expand your professional opportunities for the future.

Why network?

• Information gathering – about specific career field/ organisation / job
• Gain connections to individuals (who might hire)
• Explore possible job/internship openings
• Uncover resources that can assist you in the future

How do you do it?

• Arrange informal interview with: organisation, alumni or non-alumni
• Attend receptions and different social events
• Join a professional organisation
• Attend conferences, career fairs and informative presentations by companies
• Volunteer/Intern with organisations that you are interested in

How do you start?

• Make a list of all the people you know – Everyone is a source of information. Prioritise your list (Who can hire? Who can refer you? etc.)
• Develop a list of questions you would like answered: Formal and informal
• Determine what type of individuals you would like more information from and what specific field you want to learn more about
• Establish a method for how you will connect with people (Alumni, attend social functions, talk to classmates, family, lecturers, etc.)
• Keep a log of your contacts, key points of information and what you have gained from meeting/interacting with each person
• Preparation: Always set meeting at the convenience of the contact
• First communication: Seek face-to-face meeting where possible. Never write when you can call, and never call when you can meet in person
• Always treat the person’s PA/secretary with respect. He/She is your initial point person in establishing contact with your target. Call him/her by name and establish a rapid rapport
• Establish a clear objective for the meeting. Be specific – What do you want to gain from the contact?
• Never ask a networking contact for a job!
• Be professional at your meeting: Dress appropriately, respect his/her time, show up early for your appointment, be an active listener and be open minded
• Be prepared: Have a prepared list of questions, prioritise your questions, ask your contacts for names of other individuals who may be helpful in your search, ask how you can make contact in the future
• Follow up: Send a thank you note expressing your appreciation. Keep in touch. Make contact with suggested references and let your initial contact know the outcomes.

How to establish & manage the networking meeting?

• Preparation: Always set meeting at the convenience of the contact
• First communication: Seek face-to-face meeting where possible. Never write when you can call, and never call when you can meet in person
• Always treat the person’s PA/secretary with respect. He/She is your initial point person in establishing contact with your target. Call him/her by name and establish a rapid rapport
• Establish a clear objective for the meeting. Be specific – What do you want to gain from the contact?
• Never ask a networking contact for a job!
• Be professional at your meeting: Dress appropriately, respect his/her time, show up early for your appointment, be an active listener and be open minded
• Be prepared: Have a prepared list of questions, prioritise your questions, ask your contacts for names of other individuals who may be helpful in your search, ask how you can make contact in the future
• Follow up: Send a thank you note expressing your appreciation. Keep in touch. Make contact with suggested references and let your initial contact know the outcomes.

An internship is both an experience in itself and practice for the real job search. A well-researched and though-out internship will:

• Provide exposure to professional settings and networking contacts
• Help you build the skills necessary for the future internships/jobs
• Test career options to help clarify and refine career objectives and goals
• Help to develop or enhance valuable skills and competencies

Before your internship search

• Assess what fields and issues interest you? What skills would you like to use and develop? Where have you dreamed about working?
• Research housing options in your target location (IF out of Singapore).
• Can you stay with family and friends? Have you explored temporary housing? Would the employer provide lodging?
• Clean up your online profile pages, e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook, online job portals, blogs, etc. Google yourself and see what you find. Employers might do this and may make decisions based on what they see.
• Contact your intern supervisor before the 1st day to confirm your starting date and hours
• Speak to your supervisor on the 1st day to confirm your hours, lunch breaks and number of weeks you have to work. If you have any prior requirements that would need time-off, please inform your supervisor on the 1st day. Try to keep such requests to a minimum
• Ask your supervisor what is expected of you. What projects & responsibilities will be undertake? What results are needed? Discuss what you hope to learn and ask if your goals are realistic. Ask how interns are evaluated and how they are given feedback.

Before the start of your internship<

• Contact your intern supervisor before the 1st day to confirm your starting date and hours
• Speak to your supervisor on the 1st day to confirm your hours, lunch breaks and number of weeks you have to work. If you have any prior requirements that would need time-off, please inform your supervisor on the 1st day. Try to keep such requests to a minimum
• Ask your supervisor what is expected of you. What projects & responsibilities will be undertake? What results are needed? Discuss what you hope to learn and ask if your goals are realistic. Ask how interns are evaluated and how they are given feedback.

During your internship

• Pitch in where needed and perform assignments with care. Be part of the environment, even when you are not working on a major project
• Arrive on time and restrict the temptation to leave early
• Don’t conduct personal business at your internship. This includes handphone conversations, emailing or making social plans. You may observe permanent staff doing so but it is not wise behaviours for interns
• Be friendly but keep conversations professional. Avoid office gossip and never talk negatively about others. When meeting people, maintain eye contact and use a firm handshake
• Try to meet people of all levels of your organisation and learn about their experience. They may offer advice and ideas informally or you may arrange a more formal informative interview. Ask for business cards of those you meet and follow any advice or leads they offer. Write a thank you note after each informational meeting and stay in touch

Concluding your internship

• Conclude all your responsibilities and tie up any loose ends: Leave your workspace in order
• Ask your supervisor/someone who knows your work well for a letter of reference. Make this request while still on-site and your performance is fresh in mind
• If you are interested in working for the organisation after graduation, bring up the subject of employment before you leave. Assert your interest and qualifications and inquire about the next step to be considered for a full-time job
• After you leave, send a thank you letter to your supervisor and any other employees who served as mentors. Convey your appreciation for the experience and any references written on your behalf. Stay in touch with the people you meet. An occasional email, phone call or visit during school breaks will nurture the relationships.