GETTING HIRED IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA AGE

DO YOU STILL NEED A RESUME TO GET YOUR NEXT JOB IN 2016?

GETTING HIRED IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA AGE

Social media is here to say. It has revolutionised the norm many large, international recruiting firms and global corporations source for job candidates and process their applications. There are far too many options available for social networking. The internet is home to some 115 social media networks such as Linkedin,

Facebook and the like with over a million users worldwide. Social media offers speed, efficiency and the ability to target and attract a specific large number of candidates. It can provide additional resource information on potential candidates so vital in the recruitment process.

According to R Haefner, VP of HR at CareerBuilder, “Social media is a primary vehicle of communication today, and because much of that communication is public, it’s no surprise some recruiters and hiring managers are tuning in.”

Another survey by ‘Konetic’ found that 80% of HR teams use social media for sourcing new staff. Facebook, for instance, is used by many employers to promote their brand and graduate-employment programmes and allow potential candidates to network with their employees and recruiting personnel. Another point worth noting is, according to a survey by ‘Right Management’ 94% of job candidates used Linkedin as their top social media site for job hunting and this social media site was the preferred choice for two thirds of hiring professionals for sourcing job candidates.

Other than Linkedin and Facebook, networking sites such as Google+, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs are frequently used by recruiters and hiring professionals too. In a nutshell, social media and networking sites play a key role in the jobsearch and job sourcing processes. These platforms can’t be ignored. The prevalent use of technology in smart cities such as Singapore coupled with emerging advances in social media related technologies do incentivize individuals regardless of age to reach out and build their jobsearch network using social media. They can find people in targeted organizations and connect directly with people that matter most – people who can offer them jobs.

So, does the humble paper resume matter at all or is it still relevant in this social media age?

The simple answer is YES. Certainly yes. Simply because, the recruiting and hiring people still solicit your resume after having identified you as a potential from among the hundreds on social media. Postings and write-ups on social media cannot and will not replace the RESUME.

Moreover, it’s still the only tool you, the job seeker, have for making that good first impression with your next prospective employer and getting your right foot in the door for that all-important, make-or-break interview. The full-length resume is still the only marketing tool and the professional profile that can fully portray you accurately, focusing on your capabilities and achievements, and the most important asset you have to offer – YOU!

But then, do you ever feel that you are sending your precious resume into the abyss when you apply for an internship or new job? Don’t despair. Jumping into the lake won’t solve your problem, either. Smile, you may be among the more than 90% of applicants left wondering what went wrong. On an average, there are more 190 applicants per job advertised, and only about 10% of those applications ever receive an interview invite. If yours is not among this 10% cohort, then, perhaps, your resume is the problem.

So, it’s time that you got your RESUME seen, noticed and read by the real people that matter most – the Hiring Managers. It is worth your while, economically, to invest some time and money making your resume the best and unique one possible.

How? You may ask. Consider these seriously:

·         Don’t ignore social media. Make it part and parcel of your jobsearch process. Integrate social media into the jobsearch plan.

·         Be bold. Stray from the norm, the standard. If your resume is ordinary, it remains ordinary.

·         Content strategy is king. Apart from choosing and using relevant and appropriate key action words, you must showcase your career achievements, accomplishments and play down on “what you did at that job and what you did at another job.”

·         Keep your resume current, up-dated, accurate and world-class.

At Successful Resumes, we are total professionals in resume crafting and have been doing so since 1992. We have more than 23 years of experience on this job and astutely know how to move you to your next job. Our resumes are individually-designed, expertly-written, professionally-presented and employer-centred.

Your resume is your most important marketing tool for getting your NEXT job. Make sure you don’t blow it.

Article by Larry Lim, Chief Executive of Successful Resumes Singapore and Career Management Institute. Successful Resumes Singapore is an integral part of Successful Resumes International with its HQ in Sydney, Australia that has more 20 years of professional experience crafting world-class resume for the discerning. Visit www.successfulresumessingapore.com for more information.

JOB HIRING SCENARIO 2016: BLEAK

JOB HIRING SCENARIO 2016: BLEAK

In a news report in September 2015, Singapore’s daily, The Straits Times, quoted headhunters as saying job hiring for 2015 has been moderately affected due hosts of economic factors, among them the stock market turmoil, global business slowdown, competition from emerging technologies and online businesses.
Hiring people are not too optimistic of the scenario for 2016. They cautiously predicted that HIRING COULD BE HALTED COMPLETELY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2016. By then the full impact of an economic slowdown would have flown through our very open economy, leaving employers on tenterhooks. The uncertain business outlook, the volatile global markets will have negative effect on hiring.

The competition for the most desired jobs, especially for fresh graduates and seniors, is going to be steep. With so few job openings available, it’s very important to make the BEST FIRST IMPRESSION you can at every stage of the jobsearch/recruiting process – from the resume, cover letter, social media profile, phone interview to the in-person, face-to-face interview with the organization’s HR Hiring Manager.

If you are in search for the desired job for whatever reason, you must truly make a difference when compared to others competing with you. Professional help is advised and this professional approach to the jobsearch strategy can give you that edge, provide you that X-factor. Successful Resumes has been inspiring and transforming those thousands who have sought our professional expertise. We have been advising clients since 1992. We can help you, too.

To find out how we can help you, log in to www.successfulresumessingapore.com

Successful Resumes Singapore

Career Management Institute

To Inspire To Transform 

SEASON'S GREETINGS

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Christmas 2015 is just a few hours away and 2015 is fast coming to a close. Looking back to 2015, we, the people at Successful Resumes Singapore and Career Management Institute are feeling very grateful and privileged. We sincerely thank all our valued clients from around the world for letting us play a crucial role in their career management planning. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our teammates, business associates and blog page fans who have stood by and with us during our challenging times throughout 2015.

We eagerly look forward to partnering you in 2016 if you are planning a career change, moving to a more challenging and rewarding management position or exploring new frontiers in your professions.

We just wanted you to know how much we appreciated playing a role in your memories that you created in 2015. We wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS and look forward to partner you create even more unforgettable events in 2016.

Successful Resumes Singapore

Career Management Institute

www.successfulresumessingapore.com

TO INSPIRE  TO TRANSFORM

Crafting world-class resumes for the discerning since 1992

HOW TO GET HIRED .... Raise your hiring prospects amid an uncertain economy

My article was published by The Straits Times on Wed 24 Nov 2015 on page C22 RECRUIT. Go to this page and read my article in full. It was also published on this blog page under a different title/heading.

NEW ENTRANTS TO JOB MARKET FACING MORE CHALLENGES

NEW ENTRANTS TO JOB MARKET FACING MORE CHALLENGES

“Unemployment rising for younger workers; firms wary about hiring in slowing economy”

“Actuarial science graduate Michelle Lew has sent her resume to more than 100 firms since last December, hoping to land a permanent job.

But almost a year later, she has not received a single job offer.” The Straits Times Monday, 2 November 2015

Sounds familiar? If so, you are not alone. The job market in Singapore has not been kind to fresh graduates seeking full-time employment and in fact others seeking a career change face the same headwind. The Ministry of Manpower, Singapore (MOM) reported that the under-30 unemployment rose to 4.3% in September 2014 from 3.9% in September in 2013. A survey conducted by recruiter ManpowerGroup in September indicated that companies have been cautious about hiring because of falling oil prices and a slowing economy. Advance estimates from MOM showed that unemployment for Singaporeans edged up 3.1% in September 2014.

Now, how best to beat the odds and secure that crucial invite to a job interview? Until and unless, you can secure that, you are no nearer to landing that full-time job. If you happen to be in this group being confronted by this dilemma, you should review and examine:

1.       YOUR RESUME: If you have not been invited to a single job interview after having sent out your resume to hundreds of organisations (including recruiters), then your resume ain’t working! If your resume is ordinary, it will remain ordinary and no one would bother to read it. Fix it before it’s too late! Your resume has got to stand out from the crowd. If you can’t do it yourself, then, consult and seek professional help. Successful Resumes Singapore and Career Management Institute can help assess the value of what you bring to each role and each company and phrase that vital information in a concise, persuasive manner to appeal to potential employers. Your resume has to be a PROFESSIONAL PROFILE that portrays you accurately, focusing on your capabilities and achievements – not just what you have done in the past, but what you are capable of doing in the future.

2.        COVER LETTER: Your cover letter is just as important as your resume. It adds focus to your resume. Your cover letter must tell the would-be employer the type of position you are seeking, and how exactly you are qualified for that position. Your cover letter can explain things your resume can’t.

3.       A GOOD REFERENCE: Positive comments from your bosses, bench mate, a fellow industry professional, a trusted mentor, former university professor, a volunteer coordinator at a community organisation where you serve, and a former work mate are critical to landing a new job. Building a list of references is not easy and be tedious, but if you don’t ask, you won’t get. You will be surprised that they will write great things about you – your accomplishments, personality, skills etc..

According to a recent survey by a UK organisation, ‘CareerBuilder’ 69% of employers changed their mind and hired the candidates after reading their testimonials.

4.       SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE: Social media is playing a far more key role in the jobsearch process that you would like to imagine. They do what the industry calls “back-end” check. Would-be employers do peep into your Facebook, Linkedin, Google+ and Twitter accounts to a get a glimpse of you apart from screening your resume and cover letter. Industry estimates that up to 40% of employers use social networks to screen potential job candidates. Are you active in social media? If not, it’s time you did.

5.       NETWORKING: Networking with employed professionals and industry experts do help job seekers to speed up on their employability. In the challenging jobsearch environment that you are facing now, it’s very important to know who knows you and whom you know. In another recent study by executive search agencies, networking was 46% effective at helping jobseekers find new employment. It was also revealed that 80% of available jobs weren’t advertised online or in print media. Instead, recruiters and hiring managers rely on social networks and inside contacts to find and attract potential candidates.

6.       GOOD PEER RELATIONSHIPS: An increasing number of hiring managers seeking to evaluate talent are turning to peers in your industry or profession for judgements about prospective employees. This approach to evaluating you is something you can’t control directly. So, it pays to mind your social and professional relationships and don’t burn the bridge when you leave for another employer.

Successful Resumes Singapore is an integral part of Successful Resumes International and together with our Australian, US, UK, NZ and Hong Kong companies, we have more 20 years of professional experience and expertise in crafting world-class resumes for the discerning. Each and every one of our resumes is individually-designed, expertly-written, professionally-presented and employer-centric. For more details log on to:

www.successfulresumessingapore.com

Successful Resumes Singapore

Career Management Institute

TO INSPIRE  TO TRANSFORM

HAPPY SG50 SINGAPORE

RBS EMPLOYEES FACE THE AXE

RBS EMPLOYEES FACE THE AXE

The Straits Times on 31 July 2015 reported that the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is believed to be axing hundreds of jobs at its Singapore operations as it scales back its business presence. RBS employs some 1500 here in Singapore and has yet to confirm the exact number of employees to be axed. RBS posted a first half loss of S$327 million.

Observers believe more global banks have been scaling back on their investment banking jobs and have offshored mid to back office operations elsewhere.

Another piece of bad news – oil and gas industry giant PMC Technologies from the US plans to axe 2000 jobs!

The employment market in Singapore isn’t getting any better. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reported on 30 July 2015 that employment contracted and citizen unemployment rose to 2.9% in Q2. Economists and manpower chiefs cautioned that employment rates needed to be monitored closely especially as weak economic conditions continue to persist in the region and with fresh, young and qualified graduates from our universities joining the employment queue.

As the job market is getting more and more crowded and challenging, you need to ensure that you have a first class, outstanding resume with you standing out on your own resume. Resumes crafted by Successful Resumes Singapore are individually-designed, expertly-written, professionally-presented and employer-centric.

Success Resumes Singapore

www.successfulresumessingapore.com

Inspiring, Transforming the NEXT

Crafting employer-centric RESUMES for discerning people worldwide since 1992