[ALUMNI-INFO TEXT="
A master’s candidate at the LKYSPP under the MPP 2017-19 programme, I was a fresh graduate from Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan, with a BA in Political Science and International Relations. One can say I had the work experience equivalent to a couple of internships when I completed the programme in 2019 and I was aware that despite an MPP from LKYSPP, NUS, job-hunting in Singapore would pose a challenge for me since my resume didn’t glorify much of my work experience in the field.
Many of you today would relate to me on this front and thus, to make this seemingly insurmountable task more manageable, I am sharing my job-hunting strategies which I adopted in Singapore. Although some of them produced none to minimum result, I still believe that they could be applicable to fresh graduates seeking employment in the city-state. However, please note that these methods do not guarantee a spot in the competitive job market and, certainly, the context in which you are going to apply would be completely different from mine given the unpredictable COVID-19."][/ALUMNI-INFO]
- Start early
I started applying for jobs and/or internships in October 2018 (my second year in MPP) while on exchange at the Tsinghua University. Although some may argue that quality should be prioritized over quantity, I aimed to submit at least one application per day. For this you need to have what I call ‘a sample’ Resume and Cover Letter ready as a template and subsequently adjust the details according to the requirements of the job you are applying for. I used different platforms to make applications, from LinkedIn Easy to the NUS Job Portal. In 80% of the cases I did not receive any response without sending a follow-up email. Fair warning, even when you send a follow-up email, do not expect a reply in 90% of the cases. The other 20% responses would be either standard reject emails or invitations for the next round of assessment, which could be a test or an interview. This is where your opportunities will flow up.
- Use all available resources wisely to compile your Resume and Cover Letter
There are numerous resources that help you build a winning Resume and Cover Letter. However, let me be precise on this. If your skill sets and profile do not match the job, no one cares about the font you are using in your Resume. Use resources such as Career Services at school or Vmock to edit and adjust your Resume and Cover Letter wisely. Try to be precise and to the point in your writing. Constantly reviewing the Resume and rewriting and reorganizing the Cover Letter proves helpful in honing their quality. There are plenty of free resources available but remember and be cautious that they must apply to the Singaporean job market.
- Remember who you are competing against
As a fresh graduate and a foreigner, remember, you are going to compete against Singaporean fresh graduates who are usually performing well in their courses. Do take classes and grades seriously while in graduate school. Due to the lack of experience, grades have become the key criteria for fresh graduates on the job market to compare different candidates. Make sure you maintain a high enough CAP to get shortlisted after screening. Work on your extracurriculars and make sure whatever you do, it is later transferrable into a meaningful experience to add to your Resume and/or Cover Letter.
- Apply for part-time jobs and internships while in school
[ALUMNI-QUOTES TEXT="Firstly, you would not have visa issues as the Student Pass allows you to work 16 hours during the semester and 44 hours a week during vacations (check the ICA website for updates), and thus employers do not have to worry about applying for your permit. Secondly, this will help you get to know the organizational and work culture in Singapore. Maybe after this experience, some of you may change your mind and even decide to apply for work somewhere else. Thirdly, if the company is planning to hire new employees, this gives you a real chance to show what you can do, blend with the company’s culture and make your mark there. Certainly your prospects at the company will depend on your proactiveness, so do not be afraid to take challenging tasks that require more responsibility. Remember, LKYSPP enjoys a high reputation in Singapore and the expectations from you are going to be high."][/ALUMNI-QUOTES]
- Do not limit yourself
This applies to both limiting your interest to certain sector and/or industry or to not applying because you may assume you lack the necessary qualifications. However, it is still worth a shot to apply because as a fresh graduate you have plenty of time and opportunities to explore your calling in life. Also, it is completely normal to not know what you want to do for the next couple of years. Please do not be worried about this. Going through an application process and interviews are mostly helpful experiences in the journey to discover what you want to do. Keep working on your applications and ask for feedback after your interviews, especially in the event of rejection. The idea is simple: keep trying and things will fall into place as they should be.