Things you should do when updating your resume

a blank resume beside a laptop

You’ve put in the hard work to update your resume and have made sure it’s typo-free, well-organized, and tailored to the job you’re applying for.

But before you hit send, ensure you’re not making any of these common mistakes. Avoiding these blunders will help guarantee your resume is seen in the best light possible.

Use colors sparingly

Don’t use too many different colors on your resume. Stick to two or three colors at the most, and use different shades of the same color. This will make your resume look neater and more professional.

Avoid outdated language

Don’t use outdated language in your resume. It will make you look like you’re not keeping up with the times. Bypass terms like “hard worker” and “team player.” These phrases have been used so often that they’ve lost their meaning. Instead, try talking about your specific skills and accomplishments throughout your career.

Choose readable fonts and sizes
best-font-for-resume

Image Credits: resumegenius.com

When it comes to fonts, it’s best to stick to something simple and easy-to-read like Arial or Times New Roman. You also want to avoid using too many dissimilar fonts in your resume, as this can be confusing for the reader. As for font size, 10 or 11 is a suitable size to use. Anything smaller and your resume may start to look too cramped, while anything larger may make it difficult to read.

Don’t make it too short or too long

One of the most typical mistakes people make when updating their resumes is to make them either too short or too long. Remember, your resume is not a biography! A good rule of thumb is to keep it to one page if you can, and two pages at most.

If your resume is too short, you may not be giving hiring managers a complete picture of your skills and experience. On the other hand, if your resume is too long, you may be overwhelming hiring managers and they may not bother to read it at all. Keep it concise and relevant, and you will be on your way to making the best impression.

Steer away from an unprofessional email address

One of the biggest no-nos when updating your resume is using an unprofessional email address. This will give the image that you’re not serious about your job search. We’re referring to email addresses such as [email protected] or [email protected].

There are a few straightforward steps you can take to make sure your email address is professional. First, choose an email address that’s easy to remember and doesn’t include any weird characters. Secondly, make sure it’s not too long—the shorter, the better. Finally, avoid using any funky spellings or unusual words.

Your resume is the first impression you make on potential employers, so it’s crucial to make sure it’s up-to-date and error-free. But there are some things you should never do when updating your resume, like using too many colors or including irrelevant information. Follow some of the abovementioned approaches and you will be on your way to constructing a resume that stands out from the rest.

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Tips for handling a colleague who loves to gossip

colleagues gossiping in the office

You’ve probably encountered at least one colleague in your career who just can’t resist gossiping. 

This person might be a constant thorn in your sight or simply an annoyance that you have to put up with from time to time. Whichever category this colleague falls into, it’s important to know how to deal with them effectively.

Here are some tips for handling a colleague who loves to gossip.

Set boundaries

Don’t be afraid to tell them that you don’t want to talk about personal matters of others, and walk away if the conversation gets too uncomfortable. It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to justify your behavior to them—just because they gossip doesn’t mean you have to.

Use “I” statements

When dealing with a colleague who loves to gossip, it can be tough to stay calm. But by using “I” statements, you can avoid getting drawn into their drama. For example, you could say, “I feel uneasy when you talk about our teammates behind their backs. It makes me feel like I can’t count on you.” By spotlighting your feelings, rather than slamming the other person, you’re less likely to initiate an argument.

Be honest but diplomatic
colleagues conversing

Image Credits: josiehastings.co.uk

You might be feeling frustrated with your coworker who loves to gossip. But before you react rashly, convince yourself to stay composed. Here are a few tips for handling the situation:

  • Let your colleague know that you’re uncomfortable gossiping and ask them to stop.
  • If they don’t listen, try to avoid them or limit the amount of time you spend around them.
  • Keep your emotions in check. Responding with rage or frustration will only make the situation worse.
  • If things get too heated, take a break and walk away for a few minutes. This will give you a chance to settle down and approach the situation more rationally.
Avoid getting sucked into the gossip

It can be challenging to work with a colleague who adores gossiping, but it’s vital to stay neutral and dodge getting sucked into the drama. Here’s how you can manage the case:

  • Stay courteous. It’s wise to remain professional, even if the person is being rude or disrespectful.
  • Keep your distance. It might be best to avoid them as much as possible, especially if they tend to be toxic or negative.
  • Avoid sharing any personal information. The last thing you want is for them to use your information against you later on.
  • Keep conversations short and polite. Try not to engage in long conversations with the gossiper, as it will only encourage them further.
  • Remember that you’re not alone. There are probably other people in your workplace who are also frustrated with the gossiper. Seek out their support and build a network of allies.

Work days can be difficult when you have to deal with a colleague who loves to gossip. They always seem to be stirring up trouble and making office life more complex than it needs to be. But don’t worry, there are ways to address them as we’ve listed in this article. If all else fails, schedule a meeting with your HR manager or your direct supervisor to discuss the issue.

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Latest WFH internships posted from 4 to 8 July 2022

smiling-asian-girl-using-laptop

Internships can improve your professional competence, boost your character, and open up more opportunities. You will provide yourself with the widest range of opportunities while looking for jobs after graduation by investing in internships.

Here are the latest WFH internships posted from 4 to 8 July 2022.

#1: Elitely Collective Pte Ltd – Business Development / Marketing

Elitely Collective Pte Ltd

Website: https://elitelysg.com/ 

Allowance / Remuneration: $400 – 800 monthly

Job Qualifications
  • A part-time hustler who wants to build and launch a product they can call theirs
Key Responsibilities

Lead Generation & Management:

  • Build client lists and identify key contracts
  • Actively respond to inbound emails and messaging
  • Follow up on leads promptly and maintain an active pipeline of customers
  • Use chat tools to qualify prospects on the various communication channels
  • Do market and industry research to figure out pain points and potential opportunities
How to apply?

View the job post in full here and write to Dickson via this link.

#2: Otaku Interactive – Chinese Copywriter

Otaku Interactive

Website: https://scgl.sg/ 

Allowance / Remuneration: $400 – 1,200 monthly

Job Qualifications
  • Able to translate from English to Chinese for clients when required
Key Responsibilities
  • Manage WeChat account
  • Conceptualize and develop Chinese copy for the news portal
  • Keep abreast of the marketing activities of the company’s competitors
  • Be a brand guardian and ensure a consistent tone of voice for the Chinese copy used by the company
  • Understand the company’s brands, products, and target audiences and present initial ideas to the team
How to apply?

View the job post in full here and write to Myron via this link.

#3: NielsenIQ – Research Analyst (Internship)

NielsenIQ

Website: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/

Allowance / Remuneration: $800 monthly

Job Qualifications
  • Able to prioritize own workload 
  • Good interpersonal skills. communication, team player
  • Interest and comfort in working with quantitative data sets
  • Willingness to learn, hands-on, technical & analytical mindset
  • Must be proficient in MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint
  • Organized and meticulous with strong project management capabilities
  • Proactive with a self-starter mentality – drive workflow automation and enhancement
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate your thoughts and ideas well
  • Background in any related field of study such as Statistics, Business Analytics, Marketing, Psychology, Public Policy 
  • Strong command and fluency in English – spoken and written (Mandarin or another second language is an advantage but not essential)
Key Responsibilities
  • Involvement in consumer insights analysis and reporting
  • Assist in day-to-day client service and client management
  • Communicate with, and update clients and internal stakeholders on project status
  • Understand the process and function involved in quantitative and qualitative analysis
  • Work with research executives and managers to implement and deliver customized research solutions
  • Contribute supplementary insights by conducting secondary research on existing market trends, projections, and forecasts
  • Fieldwork management of quantitative and qualitative studies across both online and offline work (e.g. fieldwork witnessing, quota monitoring)
How to apply?

View the job post in full here and write to Leonard via this link or send your email to [email protected].

#4: Omnicom Public Relations Group Singapore – Public Relations Intern

Omnicom Public Relations Group Singapore

Website: https://omnicomprgroup.com/

Allowance / Remuneration: $900 – 1,200 monthly

Job Qualifications
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Team player who is committed and enthusiastic; open to feedback and coaching
  • Able to commit to at least three months of internship, although six is preferred to receive the full benefit of these programs
  • Entry-level candidates or final year students with a Degree in Communications or Journalism; Business; or other degrees considered which require solid business acumen and writing skills
  • Strong writing skills are fundamental to a communications role; applicants must be able to demonstrate solid writing skills
Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct secondary research
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions
  • Pitch media (develop pitch and contact media)
  • Develop traditional and online/digital media lists
  • Contribute to the new business development process
  • Contribute to the development of strategic communications plans
  • Assist with event planning and support (including logistics, on-site staffing, development of collateral, promotions, etc.)
  • Monitor and summarize (package and present) a variety of news and communication formats (traditional media, blogs, online outlets, etc.)
  • Draft written material intended to persuade and/or represent a client’s point of view (i.e. press releases, research analysis, white papers, newsletters, etc.)
How to apply?

View the job post in full here and write to Pei San via this link.

#5: Kinexcs Pte Ltd – Software Dev Intern

Kinexcs Pte Ltd

Website: https://www.kinexcs.com/

Allowance / Remuneration: $1,300 – 1,500 monthly

Job Qualifications
  • Driven developers
Key Responsibilities
  • Assist in developing CI/CD and testing techniques to enable smooth delivery of software products to customers 
  • Proactively be a part of a cross-functional agile team to develop high-performing, robust web/mobile and desktop applications
  • Manage the underlying infrastructure and technical architecture for all product lines, maintaining scalable, fault-tolerant systems and APIs that hose their core business logic
  • Design and maintain databases and work on mission-critical systems that deal with the designing and development of a system that can serve thousands of users daily
How to apply?

View the job post in full here and write to Aaron via this link.

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Questions to ask yourself before you quit your job

a woman stressed at work

Quitting a job is a huge decision. It can be difficult to know what to do when you’re feeling frustrated or unfulfilled in your position.

Before you take any rash actions, take some time to reflect and answer these questions we’ve put together for you. They will help you to make the best decision for your career and future.

Feeling okay?

Before you quit your job, it’s important to take some time for self-reflection and ask yourself some tough questions. Are you in good physical and mental health? Are you feeling burnt out or stressed? Is your workload manageable, or are you constantly feeling overwhelmed?

Are you paid fairly?

When it comes to whether or not to quit your job, money is always a major factor. So, the first question to ask yourself is whether or not you feel like you’re being paid fairly. If you’re not happy with your current salary, it might be time to start looking for a new position. But don’t jump ship just yet; keep reading for other factors to consider before deciding.

How are your work relationships?
coworkers at disagreement with one another

Image Credits: workitdaily.com

Before you quit your job, it’s important to consider your relationship with your boss and co-workers. If you have a good relationship, it might be worth trying to talk to your boss about your concerns and see if there’s any way to fix the situation. However, if you don’t feel like you have a good relationship with your boss or co-workers, it might be time to move on.

Have you been learning and growing?

If you’re feeling stagnant in your job, one of the questions you need to ask yourself is whether or not you’re discovering and developing. Are you still challenging yourself, or have you become comfortable with what you know?

It’s necessary to be constantly growing in your career because that’s what will help you stay ahead of the competition. If you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind. And if you’re not happy with your job, that’s not a good sign.

Do you have a good work-life balance?

When it comes to work-life balance, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people need to work all the time to feel fulfilled, while others need more time spent away from the office to feel happy and productive.

So, how do you know if you’ve struck the right balance for yourself? Here are a few questions to ask:

  • Do you feel you’re always on call and working?
  • Are you resentful of the time you spend at work?
  • Do you feel like you never have any time for yourself?
  • Are you so stressed out that it’s affecting your health?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it might be time to reevaluate your work-life balance.

As we close, we will leave you with some bonus questions so you can consider your decision comprehensively before crafting a resignation letter:

  • Are you sure this is what you need?
  • Are you expecting too much too soon?
  • Do you have a plan for what to do next?
  • Have you given your resignation enough thought?
  • Have you tried to talk to your boss about your problems?
  • Could leaving be damaging your career rather than helping it?
  • What will happen if you do quit – are you prepared for the consequences?
  • Are you completely honest with yourself about the reasons for wanting to leave?
  • Could your problem be solved with a change in management or company policy?

It’s a big decision to quit your job – so before you hand in your notice, think it through thoroughly.

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Why you should treat your startup like a child

parent and child holding hands

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Treat your startup like a child.” But what does that mean, exactly?

In short, it means being patient, nurturing your business through its early stages, and not pushing it too hard. In this post, we will explore the reasons why you should treat your startup like a child and offer tips for doing so.

A startup is a new beginning

Think about it this way: your startup is like a newborn child. It’s fresh and full of potential. It’s up to you to nurture and help it grow into something extraordinary.

Just as with a child, you will need to give your startup plenty of attention and set rules and boundaries. It’s also good to know what you want to get out of it. Most importantly, you will need to be uncomplaining. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your startup won’t become a success overnight. It will take dedication and perseverance.

A startup will make mistakes

It’s only natural that a startup will make mistakes. After all, it’s still learning and evolving. But the key is for you, as an owner, to learn from those mistakes and not make them again.

Just like you would with a child, you need to be forbearing with your startup and help your team grow and learn. Guide your first batch of employees through its early years, teach them the right processes, and be there to support them when anything falters. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes yourself.

A startup will grow and change
colleagues in a discussion

Image Credits: forbes.com

A startup will grow and change over time and need your unwavering attention to thrive. Just as you would provide for your child’s needs, you must also attend to your startup’s growth needs. This means keeping up with research, marketing it to the public, and gathering feedback.

As your startup grows, don’t be afraid to change with it. If something isn’t working, be willing to let go of your old ideas and take on something new. Always be open to fresh ideas and modifications because that’s the only way your startup will continue to tweak and improve.

A startup needs care and attention

Starting a business is no easy task. It takes a lot of hard work and most importantly, care and attention. Just like you would with a child, you need to make sure you’re providing your startup with the support it needs to sprout and succeed.

Here are a few tips on how to give your startup the care it deserves:

  • Set achievable goals. Don’t try to do too much too soon; gradually increase the scope of your objectives as your startup grows more capable.
  • Take breaks! It’s important to step away from your business occasionally and just relax—you will come back refreshed and ready to work harder than ever.
  • Celebrate your successes! No matter how small they may seem, celebrate every victory that your startup achieves. This will help keep you motivated during challenging times.
  • Make time for it every day. Whether you’re working on it yourself or outsourcing tasks to others, make sure you’re dedicating some amount of time to your business every single day.

Your business needs continual care at the outset if you want it to develop and be robust. Your business, like your child, will start to support itself as it “grows older” and as you get more expertise as a business owner. After that, you can back up while advising as part of the management team. And ultimately, you should be loving what you’re doing. No matter what the outcome, if you thoroughly believe in your business idea, you will survive it somehow.

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