How To Find A Job In Singapore – 11 Useful Hacks

Finding a job in Singapore can be tiring. The late-night scouring of online job advertisements, the tedious submission of a hundred and one documents, the harrowing interviews… In fact, some argue that the search for a job can be as time-consuming and energy-draining as a full-time job itself. We compile a list of 11 useful hacks to find a job in Singapore and make your job search less tough. Read on to find out how you can conquer this challenge!

1. Create a Glowing Resume 

Easy to read

Nobody likes to read rows and rows of text. Make sure your resume is concise and easy on the eyes. I recommend using bullet points where possible. You wouldn’t want your potential employer throwing your resume to the side just because it hurts their eyes! 

List skills specific to the job

You might be able to whip up a meal that puts even Gordon Ramsay to shame. But would this skill be useful to the job you’re applying for? Let’s say you’re applying for a job as an accountant at one of the top banks in Singapore. The hiring manager would probably be impressed by your cooking skills but wouldn’t necessarily be compelled to invite you for an interview.

In other words, when crafting your resume to find a job in Singapore, be selective in the skills you list in your resume. List core skills that match what the specific job requires, don’t go off tangent!

Getting help with your resume for your job search in Singapore

Struggling with crafting the perfect resume? Fret not for you can easily engage a professional resume writing service to help you out. These businesses help you present your skills and work experiences in an engaging manner to impress potential employers.

2. Craft an Impressive Cover Letter to Find a Job in Singapore

If you’re new to getting a job in Singapore, you might be confused when employers request for a cover letter.

What is a cover letter and how is it different from a resume?

While a resume lists your personal qualifications such as education, previous work experiences and skills, a cover letter requires you to address the company to which you are applying to directly.

When writing a cover letter, you should make sure that all content is carefully tailored to suit the particular company that you are applying to. You should never mass send the same cover letter to different companies as it often comes across as insincere and lazy!

Try not to repeat what you’ve already mentioned in the resume. Instead, use this opportunity to elaborate on the skills or job experiences listed in your resume. Let the employer know how your past experiences make you the best candidate for their job!

Remember, the key to landing the job is to think of it as a sales pitch. You are both the product and the salesperson. To convince the company that you are of value to them, you’ve got to sell skills and expertise that the company requires.

3. Use the Best Job Search Sites in Singapore

Determine your needs

So you want to find a job in Singapore. Exactly what jobs are you looking for? Are you seeking a full-time or part-time position? Or do you prefer the flexibility of a freelance or ad-hoc job? Determining what kind of job you want is the first step to get a job in Singapore.

What websites should I use to search for a job in Singapore?

In this modern era with the high Internet penetration rate, gone are the days when job-hunters have to flip through the newspapers to find job openings. With so many websites hosting job listings, finding a job in Singapore can get pretty overwhelming. I share a few of my top go-to websites for your consideration when you wish to get a job in Singapore.

Jooble

First on our list is Jooble. One of the largest job search websites in the world, Jooble simplifies your job search process by showing you the most relevant job listings aggregated from various job boards and recruitment companies.

Careers @ Gov

If you’re looking to work in the civil service, you should check out this website. From the Ministry of Education (MOE) to the National Environment Agency (NEA), you can find job opportunities from all the various government agencies here. Application is also straightforward as all you have to do is make an account and apply directly on the website.

Job Street

One plus point for Job Street is that it allows you to find a job in Singapore much easier as you can streamline your search by specialisation or company name. It’s also one of the more well-known sites so you can have access to job openings by various companies here.

Gumtree

If you’re a student looking for temporary or ad-hoc jobs to earn some fast cash during your school holidays, Gumtree would be paradise for you. A quick search on Gumtree usually reveals various temporary and ad-hoc job opportunities ranging from ushers or packers. It’s perfect for those who are seeking short-term employment.

Cult Jobs

Sick of having to scroll past pages and pages of job listings that only STEM majors can apply to? For the more artistically inclined, this website is tailored just for you! Cult Jobs hosts a wide range of jobs requiring a more artistic mind. From art commissions to freelance writing gigs, you can apply to a wide selection of job openings here.

Here’s a detailed list of the top career search websites in Singapore to help you to find a job in Singapore.

4. Try Cold Emails to Get A Job in Singapore

You’ve heard the old saying: you never know until you try. Indeed, there’s really no harm sending a cold email to a company you’re really interested to work with. While this can be really daunting, here’s why you should give it a shot.

Companies may have openings but have yet to advertise their positions

By emailing them first, you get to express your first interest in their company. The hiring manager would also probably be impressed by your initiative. Even if they are not currently hiring, they might get back to you again in the future should there be an opportunity.

How to send a cold email

Introduce yourself succinctly and explain what you can offer to the company. Be sure to be polite and professional in your email! Most importantly, have a personal voice in your message to sound sincere. You wouldn’t want the person reading your message to feel that you’ve just copied and pasted the text from somewhere!

5. Get a LinkedIn Account

So, we’ve got Instagram for tantalizing food photos, Twitter for memes, Facebook for lengthy rants… To search for a job in Singapore, you should sign yourself up for another social media account: LinkedIn.

By creating a LinkedIn, you make yourself available to a huge multitude of potential employers. Companies can view your resume and might even approach you if they feel you’re a good fit.

Besides, on LinkedIn, you can also get glowing character reviews vouching for your work attitude, ethics, performance, etc. That’ll make you even more valuable to potential employers!

6. Prepare Well For Your Interview

Congrats! You’ve got an invitation to an interview with the company of your dreams. What should you do now? The worst thing you can do is just to sit around and wait till the day of the interview comes around. To effectively find a job in Singapore, preparation for the interview is extremely crucial.

You should start doing research on the company’s values and mottos. You can also do a quick google search on common job interview questions so that you are not caught off guard.

Generals never go to war without a thorough plan. Likewise, don’t’ show up at your interview unprepared!

7. Follow-up After Your Interview

Contrary to popular belief, the interview does not end once you leave the room. In fact, it’s recommended that you send a follow-up message after the interview. This connects you with the hiring manager and shows sincerity and a keen interest in the company.

8. Thank the Company Even if You’re Rejected

We get it. Rejection sucks. You feel slighted, unwanted and maybe even a twinge of resentment. But hold back the urge to snap, “it’s your loss!” Here’s why you should send a gracious thank you message back instead.

May open up further opportunities

Sometimes, your rejection may have been a tough decision for the hiring managers themselves. Perhaps the competition was just too tight with all candidates of superb and comparable qualifications. By sending a gracious thank-you note, you relay your appreciation to the hiring managers for their time and consideration. In return, they would probably take more notice of you and could offer you another job should any opportunity arise.

Shows initiative and willingness to improve

Along with your note of thanks, you could also politely enquire for some feedback on your interview or tests. This information would be extremely valuable in helping you improve for future applications in your job search in Singapore. What’s more, this behaviour also signals to that employer that you have initiative and are willing to learn and improve. These are important soft skills that make an employee really valuable!

9. Use Social Media to Your Advantage To Get a Job in Singapore

Everyone uses some form of social media nowadays, be it Twitter or Instagram. It’s time to use social media to your advantage during your job search. Especially if you dabble in freelance work, it’s always wise to put yourself out there and make it known to people that you are available for work. If you’re an artist, you can increase viewership to your work by posting them online and using relevant hashtags. Who knows? Someone might chance upon your work and take a great liking to it. Boom! A commission! Be proactive in finding work and chances are that you will find a great job in Singapore.

10. Network Successfully

For the introverts, this might be the most terrifying hack ever. But, before you stop reading and walk away muttering, “This isn’t for me!” – give me a chance to explain myself. Networking, is sadly, an unavoidable part of finding a good job. Word of mouth spreads fast and it’s always useful to make acquaintances with current employees of your company of interest who can put in a good word for you.

However, networking isn’t as scary as it sounds!

Like mentioned above, you can start small by networking on social media at first. When you feel more confident, you can then start to join career festivals and career talks where you can get the chance to connect with professionals and experts in the field.

For those introverts out there, you may also want to check out the best careers for introverts in Singapore.

11. Be Selective In Your Job Search

Just because there are a hundred job listings available, it does not mean that you should plunge straight into applying for all of them. In fact, it may be wise to be a tad more selective when applying for jobs in Singapore.

First of all, you should ensure that you have the skills that the job requires before applying. You wouldn’t want to be under-qualified or over-qualified (yes, that’s a thing!) for the job.

So, why should you be selective?

Firstly, this saves time for both you and the company. Next, when applying only to jobs that match you, your chances of being hired increase as well.

Conclusion

To get a job in Singapore is not an easy task. However, various resources are available to help you. If you’ve chanced upon this article of how to find a job in Singapore in the midst of your very own job search, press on!

Have you tried some of hacks to get a job in Singapore? Tell us what worked for you in the comments below!

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