Level up your job search: How to boost your confidence and improve employability

Follow these four practical tips and stay ahead of the job search game

Imagine this scenario: It’s been days of radio silence since you tried following up on the outcome of your last interview. On LinkedIn, you submit an application for a vacancy that has piqued your interest — only to discover that you are in line with over 200 other jobseekers.

If this sounds all too familiar, you are definitely not alone. The pandemic-hit job market is witnessing an unprecedented rise in unemployment, as numbers from the Ministry of Manpower revealed a total of 11,350 layoffs in the first half of this year, according to an article in The Straits Times on Sept 15.

The journey to finding a job is tough, but don’t lose heart as there are plenty of opportunities available. As of end August, 117,500 committed opportunities under the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package have been made available. 

To help those affected, this article — the second in a four-part series by Workforce Singapore (WSG) — lists four practical tips jobseekers can pick up to make headway in their job search. 

Devote time to upgrade yourself 

Turn this downtime into an opportunity to reflect on your career, and evaluate your current skill sets to determine any gaps in your technical knowledge. 

List down your accomplishments and transferable skills, as well as the functions of your previous jobs to help you gain some perspective. You could even speak to former colleagues, clients or friends to glean further insight on your unique abilities.

From there, find out what some of the in-demand skills employers today are looking for, and consider taking up a course that could help bridge that skills gap. 

The SGUnited Skills programme offers full-time, certifiable courses by accredited partners over the course of six to 12 months, with a training allowance of $1,200 per month. You can also utilise your SkillsFuture credits to sign up for a subsidised course of your choice. 

Alternatively, the Professional Conversion Programme is ideal for those who want a career reset. The programme attaches a participating employer with a suitable applicant, who is then hired before undergoing training to take on the new role. 

But don’t worry if you require a bit more time and clarity before moving forward in your job search. For advice and support along the way, try consulting a career coach via WSG’s Careers Connect and other career matching providers. 

According to IT-professional-turned-career-coach Tarcisius Wong — who wanted a mid-career change when he returned to Singapore after working overseas for 15 years — a visit to one of WSG’s career centres provided an illuminating experience.

“My passion has always been in training and development, and I thought this would be a good time to make the switch. My career coach’s assessment of my personality, vast knowledge in the ICT sector, and experience as a hiring manager revealed that I would be a suitable career coach.

“To prepare for the transition, I committed myself to a series of training sessions that included basic counselling and learning profile assessment methods and methodologies. I also spent three months shadowing senior career coaches and learning on-the-job,” he shares.

Manage your expectations

You may have been earning a five-figure salary or enjoyed access to a slew of employee benefits and bonuses. But to ease some of the pressures of a prolonged unemployment — especially during an economic downturn — it’s important that you manage your expectations.

Taking a paycut while undergoing a professional career conversion in a different industry, budgeting for a change in lifestyle and accepting how job offers may come with reduced perks are all realities of a tight labour market. 

It’s a hard knock that many Singaporeans are facing now. In a Straits Times report on Oct 5, over 50 per cent of respondents surveyed by recruitment agency Randstad Singapore between June and July this year were willing to accept jobs with a lower salary.

Chief finance officer Iris Ang found herself in such a situation when she accepted a job offer from commercial finance services company IFS Capital. However, Ms Ang looked beyond a paycut and recognised that the company has a strong commitment to staff welfare, and encourages work-life balance.

“Even though there was a gap between what I was asking for and what was offered, the job scope and responsibilities in IFS Capital are less demanding compared to my previous roles. The work-life balance and positive work environment also make a difference. So it’s really about staying in the workforce and having job satisfaction,” she says.

Keep an open mind

Aside from adjusting your expectations, keep an open mind to effectively navigate the uncertainties that come with a job hunt.

Be willing to consider fresh opportunities such as temporary jobs to help offset your bills during this period, or work attachments that could open new pathways to a career you never considered. 

Even signing up for a short online course could go a long way in future-proofing your employability. Check out free webinars and seminars organised by Workforce Singapore.

Cultivating open-mindedness will also prove crucial in helping you manage the draining and often frustrating job searching process.

Find a support system that works for you

You may be resolute in your job search, but when was the last time you took the time to check in on your mental health? 

Taking the occasional break from job hunting — whether it’s to go for a daily walk, meditate or learn a new hobby — will help you pace yourself on your journey, and prevent burnout or a lack of motivation. 

For prefer peer-to-peer support, reach out to your family, friends and close colleagues, or talk to someone who may be going through similar experiences. You can even approach WSG’s career centres to share your concerns and get the advice you need to forge ahead. 

Says career centre service ambassador Noralizah Binte Aziz: “As a career centre service ambassador, I feel that being sincere and having a genuine heart to listen is very important. I usually spend around 15 to 20 minutes with each client to find out their needs before I refer them to the necessary channels or to a career coach.”