HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

Develop Your Personal Brand To Market Yourself

Personal branding is the relationships an individual has with its public - essentially personal public relations. How others feel about your personal brand determines whether or not they want to have a working relationship with you. This is something that each one of us has to consider seriously for our careers and businesses in 2018.

Effective relationships are built using communication. Personal branding (PB) is communicating your inner essence - your uniqueness, qualities, strengths, skills and passions.

It is also about your visual communication. Not only your business communication collateral such as stationery and websites but how you appear through dress, style and personal presence.

Here are a dozen tips on how to make a positive impression and develop your personal brand in today’s competitive workplace:

Personality

What are your personality characteristics and your passions? What sets you apart? Use the answers to develop a personal brand statement that is just for you – your internal dialogue – then use that as a basis for external communication.

Promote

Develop your personal brand statement into a short ad or commercial about you. When you meet people you should be able to say clearly what you do, how you do it differently and the benefit your work provides.

Package

Develop a unique style suitable to your personality and work. Dress for the role you want, not necessarily the one you have. Balance your individual style with clothing that will appeal to those you are trying to impress.

Presence

Become a class act. Learn good business manners and social etiquette. Send hand-written notes, return phone calls – it’s the little things that count.

Publicise

Become an expert source for the media. Get known in your niche. Write articles for magazines and online newsletters. Speak for Rotary clubs and other organisations. Send out interesting media releases on your topic to journalists to help create word-of-mouth buzz.

People

Build your network by making new business contacts and staying in touch with them. Be selective with which networking groups you belong to. Choose those appropriate to you and your personal brand; those you can help and vice versa.

Positioning

What position do you already own with your audience and what do you want to own? Is there a unique concept or idea you can hang your hat on? Where’s the creative element? Build your personal brand by being first with a new idea or by recognising a major trend in your field and moving to the head of it.

Presentations

Learn to be a confident communicator. Join Toastmasters or hire a communications coach to ensure that your written and verbal skills are at their best. Strong communication skills and presentation skills are a must and being a proficient public speaker is a great way to help reinforce your personal brand.

Perfection

Well, there’s no such thing. We all make mistakes. You may have to try many ways to discover and reinforce your personal brand. If something is not working try something else.

Profit

We all want to be profitable, but don’t forget to give something back. Giving your time, talent or money to charitable causes or industry associations can help build your personal brand. Find something you are passionate about or complements what you like to do and lend your support accordingly.

Partners

Work with the best, whether employees, contractors, consultants or partners. They will help build your brand reputation. Concentrate on what you do best by finding someone else to do the outsource elements of your job.

Plan

Develop a personal brand plan for yourself every year, and review it often. Include specific goals, strategies, action steps, and a timetable.

For your personal brand to prosper, you have to take a professional approach to building it.

Successful Resumes Singapore

Career Management Institute

www.successfulresumessingapore.com

YOUR RESUME COUNTS - I GOT THE JOB

I GOT THE JOB

My mobile phone buzzed a few times. When I checked the WhatsApp chat, there was this simple yet profound message in bold and it simply said “Larry, I’ve got the job! Thank you!” The message was from a most recent client, PA, whom I had the privilege to serve just a couple of weeks ago.

PA, in his late thirties, has been off work for a couple of months. Prior to this, he had a couple of six-month contract roles. He was in low spirits. Like most other job seekers, he, too, used resume templates found on the internet. He sent out over a hundred such resumes but received not a single reply from any employer or recruiting agency. On top of this misery, his wife fell sick and his finance was almost dried up.

PA did a Google search and found Successful Resumes Singapore. He did a detailed study and analysis of our website as he was quite sceptical of how a professional resume writer could help. He couldn’t help himself as he knew very well that a resume is a very personal document best created by oneself. He braved himself, picked up his phone and called me. As usual, I was busy with client meetups but returned a call to him as soon as I could free myself. I met up with him the next day as he needed his resume very urgently.

He was very forthcoming, cooperative and furnished me with the information I sought for from him. He wanted to apply for a Facility Manager’s role but the application closing date was in a week’s time. I assured him that I would do my utmost and got the brand new resume and cover letter to him within four-working days. He submitted the first thing on Saturday morning. Guess what. He received a call from the Director of the division inviting him for an interview on Monday. On Tuesday, he was invited back for a second interview the following Monday. He was very excited and said it was like a miracle. I congratulated him and told him that it was as good as being offered the position. On that same Monday, he got the job after the second interview.

Wow!!! Got the job within a week!! How marvellous!! He thought he was dreaming when he was told of the good news. He exclaimed, “Larry, you did what others couldn’t do. I am indeed very grateful. Thank you!”

Successful Resumes Singapore constantly receives hundreds of testimonies similar to that of PA’s. What we did for PA, we can and will do the same for you if you put your trust and faith in us.

For more details, visit www.successfulresumessingapore.com

DEALING WITH REDUNDANCY

DEALING WITH REDUNDANCY

What is redundancy?

Redundancy is usually referred to as the situation when a job is no longer required to be performed by anyone.  A very important element to remember is:

This is not personal – your job has been become redundant – not you.

Redundancy can occur for many different reasons:

·        An economic slowdown

• An employer reclassifies roles, and the duties of your position are allocated to other roles
• A departmental or company  restructure

·        New technology or innovations that may lead to your role being no longer required

Dealing with redundancy

In recent times, we have started to see the first major signs that the global financial crisis has taken effect on Australia’s employment levels.   On a regular basis we are hearing that unwelcome phrase, ‘more Australians have been made redundant.’

Work and employment patterns have changed enormously in recent decades. Few people now expect to stay in the same job for life, and most people will experience a number of job and career changes.   Usually, this is the result of their own choice, but many people will also experience job redundancy. Redundancy may be voluntary or involuntary. In the long term, some people are lucky enough to find redundancy to be a positive experience. It may lead to a better job, new skills, and greater career choice in the future.

In the short term, redundancy will lead to some level of financial and emotional stress. Unfortunately, it is during this most stressful time that many important decisions need to be made, and it may be necessary to obtain advice from a number of different professionals.

Redundancy is an unfortunate reality that more people are now being faced with as companies struggle to remain viable during this economic slowdown. While it can place a great strain on individuals, their families and their finances, good planning can reduce both the emotional and financial pain that often comes with redundancy.

Stay positive in tough times

It is easy at times to let negative events affect you and influence how you appear to others.  If we are going through tough times, we tend to view life accordingly.   Many of us don't realise that we have a negative communication style and that we express ourselves with negativity.  It is extremely important that in our work environment and in the presence of our family and friends we try to avoid constantly releasing this negativity.   This can have an extremely detrimental impact on both our relationships and our career prospects.

Take Action

To start viewing the glass half full try a few of these and remain Positive.   Don't let a bad situation discourage your enthusiasm.....Explore different options.

·         Take a class – either self-improvement or leisure

·         Sign up for an enjoyable exercise program – it helps to diffuse STRESS & ANXIETY

·         Have LUNCH with (OR PHONE) a positive friend (someone that helps you feel good and understands your situation.)

Most importantly - Keep your resume up-to-date

Don't put your job search on hold.

The more action you take will determine your arrival time and destination.

Avoid “Negative” Topics Remain “Positive” Always

I’m sure you have reason to be “miserable”, however, try not to hang onto the “misery”

Do something about it.  If you feel a downer coming on... either

·        Change the subject OR thought pattern!

·        Have a LAUGH - Complaining is draining.

·        Phone a FRIEND - or put on a hilarious MOVIE..!!!!   Trust me it works.

We drain our SOUL by being negative.  Laughter is the best Medicine!

If you have a problem or issue, deal with it!

The pain will go away!

Always say ‘YES’ to the positive & ‘NO’ to the negative.

SUCCESSFUL RESUMES SINGAPORE

CAREER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

www.successfulresumessingapore.com

YOUR RESUME

THE KEY TO LANDING THE INTERVIEW

WHY LINKEDIN? HOW TO WRITE THAT AWESOME LINKEDIN PROFILE SUMMARY

LinkedIn’s mission is simple: connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.

 With more than 450 million users in 200 countries and more than two new members joining every second, LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet.

More importantly, LinkedIn has taken the place of the newspaper, your resume or even the first meetup. It is becoming increasingly used as a tool by hiring managers and recruiters to source talent. Not only does LinkedIn provide a dedicated jobs section where employers post vacancies, it is also the perfect environment for “passive job seekers” - people who aren’t currently looking for a new position, but would consider one if the right offer came along. More than 87% of recruiters vet candidacy by visiting your Linkedin profile.

Linkedin Profiles are easily visible and accessible to anyone for free. Your profile summary is the best and ideal place to showcase your potential and why you are the best fit for the job role. But to get the attention of the hiring community to click on your profile for a few seconds’ view, your profile summary has got to be one of a kind. It has to be awesome, a killer.

Successful Resumes Singapore has helped hundreds build an awesome, engaging LinkedIn profile that attracts potential employers and networking opportunities. Yes, we can help you, too. Why wait! Contact us now – info@successfulresumessingapore.com

Resume Writing: Seizing the Next Job Opportunity

Resume Writing: Seizing the next job opportunity

Careers in Anthropology and Ethnography

The emergence of THICK DATA in the Digital Economy has created a whole new set of jobs and these could be the next big thing in the job market.

What is Thick Data? It looks at the rich, qualitative reality of customers’ everyday lives and how these can influence buying behaviour. Thick Data is generated by anthropologists and ethnographers adept at observing human behaviour and its underlying motivation.

If you have not yet mastered the skills required of anthropologists and ethnographers, it’s time you did.

To know more on how you can market your newly-acquired skillsets, log onto successfulresumessingapore.com

Are You Ready For The Tough Job Market Ahead?

ARE YOU READY FOR THE TOUGH JOB MARKET AHEAD?

STRATEGISING YOUR RESUME FOR THE NEW HIRING TREND

The Singapore job market has gotten worse. Job vacancies continue to go south while the number of workers made redundant increases. According to the Ministry of Manpower, the resident jobless rate rose to 3% in 2016. A record of 72% of local residents made redundant was PMETs.

This is a worrying trend as PMETs find it difficult to secure other white-collar, desk-bound jobs with similar pay and perks. They are less flexible to transition to another career path.

Another area of concern is that those out of work take a much longer time to find work. Though the Singapore economy is purported to grow at a slightly higher rate at 2.3% for 2017, it brings a little comfort and cheer to those wondering when they will be able to find gainful employment.

As we face a very uncertain and unpredictable economic environment, salaried men and women need to bear in mind:

·        get your resume, not just right, but to meet ever-changing hiring demands

·        avoid at all cost falling into a “chronic unemployment” pit

·        be ready for the future of work – SkillFuture ready

·        embrace change and re-skilling, earn new skillsets

·        acquire life skills and build resilience

It is also worth the while to take a personality and aptitude test to find out your gifts and what you are made for. Whilst driving Uber and Grab isn’t unfitting nor degrading, it’s hardly a skill-development job nor it is SkillFuture ready for the new frontier. We applauded Assoc Prof Donald Low from the LKY IPS for highlighting these downsides.

For more information on how we can assist you in career management planning, log onto www.successfulresumessingapore.com 

Employment Landscape, Job Prospects and the Future of Work

EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE, JOB PROSPECTS AND THE FUTURE OF WORK

Salaried people face challenging and uncertain times. Career advancement and job security are just illusions. Wake up, salaried men and women! Jobs are created in the best interests of companies and NOT the employees. The job that you hold dear may disappear tomorrow.

Futurist Thomas Frey may sound very dystopian but according to him, some two billion jobs would be gone with the wind by 2030. Singapore, too, is experiencing seven-year high layoffs. NTUC, Singapore’s labour movement, has expressed concern over rising in resident unemployment and redundancies in the city-state. We can blame factors like global economic slowdown, the rise of political populism, emergence of next generation technology, globalisation, outsourcing and hosts of other predicaments.

But, do salaried workers and career professionals take aim and blame themselves instead? The onus is entirely on you and only you alone can make that difference whether you can stay employed. Are you seriously gearing up for retraining and reskilling for the work of the future? Some countries like Singapore where the government of the day takes responsibility in partnering manpower and training institutions to offer a large suite of skills future training and financial support to ready its people for jobs of the future. So, what are you waiting for? Go, take advantage of these offerings, lest you feel sorry for yourself.

TOP JOBS IN 2020   

·        ROBOTS AND COMPUTERS WILL DO MUCH OF THE JOBS HUMANS NOW DO.

·        WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) REPORT 2016 ESTIMATES 5M JOBS WILL BE LOST TO AUTOMATION.

·        INSTITUTE FOR THE FUTURE CITES THE FOLLOWING JOBS TO BE IN DEMAND IN 2020

§  TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTATIONAL THINKING:

Related jobs: software developers, computer system analysts, market research analysts, marketing specialists

§  CAREGIVING & HEALTH-RELATED:

Related jobs: medical technicians, physical therapists, workplace ergonomics experts, veterinarians, medical secretaries & assistants

§  SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEW MEDIA LITERACY:

Related jobs: Jobs with heavy reliance on soft skills, emotional intelligence, & cross-cultural competency: marketing specialists, customer services specialists, retail & other sales-related professionals

§  LIFE-LONG LEARNING: World Future Society predicts people will need to keep on learning new things by using technology to find best resources to keep knowledge current.

Related jobs: educators, teachers, trainers, researchers

§  ADAPTABILITY AND BUSINESS ACUMEN: Understanding how businesses work in line with the rapid emergence of the “gig economy”.

Related jobs: entrepreneurs, management analysts, accountants, auditors

TOP SKILLS REQUIRED IN 2020
·         COMPLEX PROBLEM SOLVING	·         CRITICAL THINKING
·         CREATIVITY	·         PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
·         COORDINATING WITH OTHERS	·         EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
·         JUDGEMENT & DECISION MAKING	·         SERVICE ORIENTATION
·         NEGOTIATION	·         COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY

We at Successful Resumes Singapore and Career Management Institute can and will be pleased to assist and profile you as the RESOURCE PERSON of choice for the jobs of the future. Log onto www.successfulresumessingapore.com for more details.

INSPIRE • TRANSFORM • LEAD

RESUME WRITING - THE FUTURE OF WORK