Traineeship & Jobs: OCBC Bank, Marina Bay Sands, and NUS are hiring

jobs available

Job searching amid the pandemic can be a tiring task. If you’re still on the search for a suitable position, don’t give up! The right time will come for you. Meanwhile, there are job openings at OCBC Bank, Marina Bay Sands, and NUS.

Here are the details.

#1: OCBC Bank – Digital Development Executive (9 months contract) (SGUnited Traineeship)
OCBC Bank

Image Credits: MSN.com

OCBC Bank was formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks. It is now the second-largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks. Recognized for its financial strength and stability, OCBC Bank is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.

OCBC Bank and its subsidiaries offer a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial, and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management, and stockbroking services.

Their key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has more than 540 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions. These include over 280 branches and offices in Indonesia under subsidiary Bank OCBC NISP, and over 90 branches and offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR under OCBC Wing Hang.

Job Qualifications
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel especially in analytical tool functions. Knowledge in MS Power BI is an added advantage.
  • Possess strong analytical skills with excellent verbal/written communication to articulate insights from data
  • Able to multi-task and willingness to take up new job responsibilities when required
  • Meticulous and detail-oriented
  • Able to use design thinking principles to improve and streamline existing processes
  • Team player, self-motivated, and resourceful
Key Responsibilities
  • Improve data analytics capabilities for the department with appropriate data visualization features
  • Project management and explore digitalization opportunities
  • Assist section heads to embrace smart tools to gain meaningful insights
  • Provide management team with key department metrics they need to do their job
  • Part of department digital project team to work with users to identify areas of improvement and prepare user requirement
  • Assist in UAT for system enhancements prior to production deployment
How to apply?

Apply and view the job post in full here.

#2: Marina Bay Sands – Guest Service Executive (Call Centre Agent) (Express Service)
Marina_Bay_Sands_in_the_evening

Image Credits: Wikipedia

Marina Bay Sands is a premier entertainment destination with its vibrant diversity of attractions and facilities. The vision was to build an integrated development that is timeless, a landmark that possesses a distinct identity which distinguishes Singapore from other cities.

Located along the Marina Bay waterfront, Marina Bay Sands features three cascading hotel towers topped by an extraordinary sky park, ‘floating’ crystal pavilions, a lotus-inspired Museum, retail stores featuring cutting-edge labels and international luxury brands, trendy Celebrity Chef restaurants, endless entertainment at the theatres, the hottest night clubs, and a Las Vegas-style casino.

Business visitors can also enjoy the extensive Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities featuring state-of-the-art technology, highly flexible exhibition halls, and a convention centre that can host over 45,000 delegates. Marina Bay Sands seamlessly combines business and leisure into a singular destination unlike any other.

Job Qualifications
  • Minimally GCE ‘O’ Level, Nitec, or higher.
  • Customer-centric attitude and works well under pressure.
  • Compose in handling complaints and emergencies.
  • Ability to multi-task and comfortable with applications and technology.
  • Proficiency in other languages than English such as Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean are extremely beneficial.
  • Excellent telephone etiquette.
  • Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Adaptable to rotational shifts including public holidays and overnight shifts, depending on operation needs.
  • Highly collaborative and adaptable to changes in a dynamic environment.
  • Mature, meticulous, resourceful, organized, and able to work independently.
  • Able to work in front of a computer and sit for extended periods of time.
Key Responsibilities
  • Be customer-centric with internal and external guests via all communication channels.
  • Deliver high touch experience that is aligned with the Company Service Strategy to all guests.
  • Tackle first level complaint with a pleasant disposition.
  • Agility to handle services and requests effectively and efficiently.
  • Apply logic in guests challenges and proactively offer/discuss resolutions with a Manager on Duty.
  • Up-to-date with hotel information of events/activities to provide accurate information in a timely manner.
  • Responsive to emergency situations according to hotel guidelines.
  • Contribute to achieving individual and team KPIs.
  • Support other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time.

Candidates who have proven competencies to work independently and with little supervision will be offered the option to work from home.

How to apply?

Apply and view the job post in full here.

#3: NUS – Management Assistant Officer (Centre for English Language Communication)
NUS Centre for English Language Communication (CELC)

Image Credits: Vimeo

The Centre for English Language Communication (CELC) was established in 1979. It plays a vital role in enhancing the English language and communication skills of both local and international undergraduate and graduate students at the National University of Singapore.

Their vision is to be a leading international centre for the teaching of English language and communication skills and the engagement in research that facilitates scholarly teaching. While their mission is to empower students to acquire effective English language and communication skills for their academic and professional lives through innovative teaching, promotion of independent learning, and engagement in research related to ELT.

Job Qualifications
  • GCE ‘A’ Level certificate or Polytechnic Diploma
  • Strong customer service skills
  • Proficient in MS Office applications
  • Meticulous and must be able to multi-task and prioritize work effectively
  • Able to communicate diplomatically with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
  • Must be a team player
  • Familiarity with CMIS, LumiNUS would be an advantage
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide support for CET, other consultancy courses, and student workshops
  • All matters relating to part-time staff (about 80-90 staff every semester), e.g. claims processing, recruitment, enquiries, etc.
  • Provide secretarial support to the Director
  • Leave matters
  • Preparation of internal logistics for onboarding of new staff
  • Liaise with Facilities office and external vendors
  • Support module administration, i.e. time-tabling, module registration, large scale test matters
  • Procurement
How to apply?

Apply and view the job post in full here.

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Internships: Capella Hotel Group, Platinum Yoga, and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre are hiring

Internships available in Singapore

Are you sometimes bothered by job-searching advice and wondering if they are true? James Goh, founder and CEO of ACCESS HR & Talents, weighs in on this issue so you can put a stop to thinking and start acting right. Click through this link to read the article.

Meanwhile, here are some internship opportunities with Capella Hotel Group, Platinum Yoga, and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre you might be interested in.

#1: Capella Hotel Group – Business Development Intern
Capella Hotel Group

Image Credits: hospitalitynet.org

Allowance / Remuneration: S$1,000 monthly

Capella Hotels and Resorts – A personalized, unique, and memorable experience crafted to cater to the most discerning of luxury travellers. Curated service and cultural hospitality combined with extraordinary design make Capella Hotels and Resorts the benchmark in their respective destinations.

Patina Hotels and Resorts – An aspirational lifestyle brand that proffers a privileged and authentic experience in a vibrant setting that is distinctive, stylish, and energetic at every touchpoint.

Each hotel under the management of Capella Hotel Group upholds a legacy of crafted luxury design combined with the highest level of heartfelt service culture. The brand claims to invest more than any other hotel management company to conceive exceptional hotels with a creative response to its local culture and environment. Their hotels are imbued with a sense of place that truly inspires and captivates – each is a unique addition to a string of exquisite Capella-managed hotels worldwide.

Job Qualifications

It’s not listed in the job post.

Key Responsibilities
  • Learn to manage the underwriting of each project, including gathering and synthesizing critical market and competitive data.
  • Perform financial analysis (together with key assumptions supported by underlying market research) and learn to prepare presentations to present results.
  • Prepare a deal evaluation report for each lead. Conduct research, and evaluate market data and project brief, to analyze the feasibility of the project.
  • Evaluate related industries and markets, including current conditions, trends, threats, and new opportunities.
How to apply?

Send your application to Richmond Kok via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#2: Platinum Yoga Pte Ltd – Marketing Executive Intern
Platinum Yoga

Image Credits: Platinum Yoga

Allowance / Remuneration: S$800 – 1,200 monthly

Platinum Yoga is a privately held company that operates six yoga studios. The yoga centre offers all levels and styles of yoga in Singapore, with hundreds of classes available 7 days a week. Their yoga instructors and guest instructors are one of the best in the industry and represent the full spectrum of yoga disciplines.

Be it classical Iyengar yoga, ashtanga yoga, flow yoga, or specialized classes in prenatal, aerial yoga, yoga for kids, and more – you will definitely find a suitable class that will rejuvenate you after the session.

Job Qualifications

It’s not listed in the job post.

Key Responsibilities
  • Assisting the Marketing Manager in the implementation of the marketing strategies as well as post follow up on activities executed.
  • Integrate online (digital marketing – social media) and offline marketing activities (paid, earned, and owned media and other related channels).
  • Ensuring all studios are updated with the latest POS material.
  • Continuously drive awareness and leads for all studios through different marketing strategies within a given budget.
  • Track, analyze, and report on campaign effectiveness.
  • Initiate collaboration with partners.
How to apply?

Send your application to Serene Goh via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#3: National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre – Research Intern
National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre

Image Credits: CNA

Allowance / Remuneration: S$400 – 1,000 monthly

The National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) is the steward of the City of Good vision for Singapore, where individuals, organisations, and leaders come together to give their best for others.

Through their programmes and initiatives, NPVC facilitates partnerships with non-profits, organizations, public sector bodies, and individuals to enliven the giving ecosystem within Singapore.

Job Qualifications
  • Penultimate or Final Year students in Psychology, Sociology, Geography, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Business, or other related fields.
  • Have extensive primary and secondary research experience (prefers those with an academic publication).
  • Proficient in SPSS or other research software.
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Curiosity and interest in looking for data and statistics that creates value.
  • Ability to sense-making and draw lateral connections across a large volume of data.
  • A keen interest in social issues and/or non-profit space.
  • Meticulous and detail-oriented.
  • A self-starter, independent individual that possesses a high degree of discipline and commitment.
Key Responsibilities

You will be supporting the Knowledge and Insights team with national-level research on volunteerism, philanthropy, and other forms of giving. You will be analysing data and trends to inform and influence key stakeholders. In particular, you will be supporting the assigned Project Leads on various ongoing research:  

  • Primary (Quantitative) research projects, such as large-scale landscape studies on giving behaviour and attitudes among individuals and corporates
  • Futures and Translational Research projects, such as understanding how COVID-19 is shaping future giving landscape and scenario planning exercises
  • Foundational pieces such as documenting existing research, data gathering, and data entry, and assisting with Knowledge & Insights database management

Other responsibilities include:

  • Update and maintain intel database on various COVID-19 related groups and topics (such as Migrant Workers, Low Income, Mental Health) through data entry and data verification
  • Conduct secondary research, literature reviews, and/or policy reviews
  • Conducting fieldwork (either in-house or through a market research agency)
  • Data cleaning, analysis, and interpretation of data
  • Developing reports to make recommendations for internal and external audiences to inform strategy and enhance practices
How to apply?

Send your application (indicating your available days in the week for the internship) to Jiahui via this link.

View the job post in full here.

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An HR expert weighs in on job-searching advice such as the need to stay in a company for at least 2 years and more

Job search advice

Currently on the hunt for a new job or internship? If you’re relatively new to job searching, you may be confused with the many pieces of advice out there. Here are some job-related articles we’ve written recently that you will find helpful:

For today’s article, we will be focusing on the wise words of James Goh, founder and CEO of ACCESS HR & Talents, regarding the common job-searching advice out there. ACCESS HR & Talents is a by-invitation-only job portal that promises a minimum pay of S$2,800 across the board.

Let’s dive right in.

#1: Stay at least two years in a company before you move on to a new opportunity.

“No. Ignore. This is an old belief system. The current climate has evolved. Staying two years at a company does not boost your chances in any way.”

#2: Talk about your strengths only during interviews, avoid bringing up your weaknesses.
office-worker-job-interview

Image Credits: PNGitem

“I agree with this. It might not decrease your chances to bring it up, but it will not increase it. Unless the interviewer brings the topic up, it would be safer to state your strengths primarily.”

#3: Accept all job interviews offered to you even if you don’t think you’re suitable for it.

“Yes. Most job descriptions are brief and not in actual fact of how the job would be. An interview offered would be an opportunity for both parties to tango and find out more. One might find herself being wooed by the actual job.”

#4: Stick to your chosen field only and accept relevant jobs.
job_offer

Image Credits: Abacus Group

“No. Ignore. Many of my mentors who are industry giants, have worked in different fields and have “irrelevant” jobs in their resume before ending up in their current position. Senior partners, CEOs, founders, all had non-linear career paths.

There are many paths to success, and knowing what you are innately good at and having the intangible skills are the ingredients that will bring one to succeed.”

#5: Never try to explain the gaps in your work history.

“No. Ignore. HR departments and recruitment consultants are human too. If you have gaps for any reason, it is okay to be sincere and honest. It pays. Gap years are now less uncommon in today’s climate.

Many graduates and mid-career switches often have gap years to find out and deliberate over their next step. Your potential employer might even feel more confident about you after you have deliberated and are certain of the job you are interviewing for.”

#6: You should follow your passion.
passion or money

Image Credits: jbklutse.com

“Yes but only to a certain degree. Passion is a first-world privilege. You cannot pursue passion if you are worried about where your next meal is going to come from. We are in a privileged position where most Millenials and Gen Zers are degree holders, not having to worry about rent or their next meal.

In the countries that I have worked in, such freedom of choice comes as a luxury. Your passion usually is a good indicator of what you will do well in. Passion breeds excellence. Excellence breeds success. And people pay for excellence. As much if possible, chase passion. And let success keep up with you.”

#7: It’s alright to apply for jobs you are under-qualified for.

Crossing industries does sometimes work even if you do not seemingly have the relevant experience. But the basic paper qualifications that the employer will seek are usually set in stone, especially for MNCs. If you think you qualify for the job even if you are in the opposite spectrum of a potential employee, then go for it! But in terms of required paper qualifications, one should manage their expectations a little.

I know of a candidate looking for a role in a FinTech firm, however, he graduated with a history degree from London School of Economics and Political Science. He aced the interview and is now rising through the ranks in that particular FinTech firm in London.”

#8: Personalize your cover letter and resume to each company you apply to.
personalized resume and cover letter

Image Credits: Human Resources Online

“This I personally believe to be true, albeit tedious. At ACCESS, our core belief is that there is more than one way to succeed. Many skillsets are transferable across industries. If someone is charming and does well as a salesperson, she would do equally well as an HR consultant. If someone is caring and articulate as a manager, she would do as well being a teacher. Similarly, if companies are from different industries or you are applying for a different type of placement, your resume should boast the qualities of your skill sets that the new placement and company would appreciate.

Some HR departments shortlist candidates only by looking at the candidate’s prior company and work experience, thus I believe it to be important to highlight certain skills which your new potential employer could be on the hunt for. A sales manager looking to go into teaching, for example, could highlight her subordinates’ achievements and how under her guidance led to those.”

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Internships & Jobs: NTU, UOB Kay Hian, and Ezbuy are hiring

job opportunities

How’s your job search coming along? If you need help brushing up your resume, read our recent article on the art of writing a resume as advised by experts. Meanwhile, check out these new job and internship opportunities with NTU, UOB Kay Hian, and Ezbuy.

#1: Nanyang Technological University – Trainee, Research Assistant in Parent-Infant Neural Connectivity
NTU

Image Credits: NTU

Allowance / Remuneration: S$1,800 – 2,500 monthly

NTU’s School of Social Sciences has nearly 100 faculty members and more than 1,700 undergraduates who major in the four-degree programmes the school offers: Economics, Psychology, Public Policy and Global Affairs, and Sociology. There are more than 180 graduate students in their PhD and MA programmes (by research), and MSc programmes in Applied Economics and Gerontology.

The Baby-LINC Lab in the Division of Psychology is headed by Asst Prof Victoria Leong. The lab conducts world-leading research on interpersonal neural connectivity between parents and infants, using a technique called “dual-EEG”. During early life, social interactions between infants and caregivers “gate” learning processes in the infant’s brain.

In this project, the candidate will learn to analyse dyadic-EEG data concurrently collected from infants and their parents during naturalistic learning scenarios. The aim will be to examine how the parent-infant neural network is modulated by social cues such as eye contact and infant-directed speech in order to facilitate early learning. This project can be completed through 100% virtual coaching since a large amount of data has already been collected and is ready for analysis. However, should circumstances permit, hands-on training in EEG data acquisition may also be provided to enhance the trainee’s learning experience.

Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
  • Basic proficiency in Matlab (preferred) or other programming languages
  • Good knowledge of statistics and statistical software packages such as R and Statistica (preferred)
  • Interest in neuroscience and/or psychology
  • Good attention to detail
  • Effective communication and report writing skills 
Key Responsibilities
  • Assisting with pre-processing of EEG datasets (e.g. checking for errors, removing artefacts)
  • Video coding of infant and maternal behaviour
  • Statistical analysis of behavioural data
  • Recruitment and screening of participants
  • Coordinating day-to-day (online) research activities (e.g. recruitment and scheduling of participants)
  • Performing other related duties assigned in support of the research projects
How to apply?

Apply via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#2: UOB Kay Hian Pte Ltd – Operations Temp
UOB Kay Hian

Image Credits: MoneyDuck

Allowance / Remuneration: S$1,000 – 1,500 monthly

UOB Kay Hian Pte Ltd claims to be the largest stockbroking house in Singapore with a strong presence in key financial centres in the region, UK and US. They provide a wide range of services to a diversified client base that includes corporations, institutions, and local investors. Clients can rely on the brand’s knowledge of key Asian financial markets to improve their investment decisions and portfolios.

Job Qualifications
  • Must be able to commit for at least 3 months, Mondays to Fridays
  • OT is required for this role
  • At least a Diploma holder
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
  • No experience required, fresh graduates are welcomed
Key Responsibilities

This position will report to the Contracts Department, with the following duties:

  • Perform trade processing for Equities and Unit Trust
  • Checking of reports, data entry, and processing contra
  • Handle administrative tasks such as photocopying, faxing etc.
How to apply?

Submit your application to Angel Wong via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#3: Ezbuy – Human Resource Intern
Ezbuy logo

Image Credits: Ezbuy

Allowance / Remuneration: S$800 monthly

Formerly known as 65Daigou, owned by EZbuy Holdings Limited, Ezbuy is a provider of online global shopping services. Founded in 2010 by a group of aspiring entrepreneurs, Ezbuy quickly rose to become one of the largest global shopping platforms.

According to the company, they currently provide global shopping services from China, USA, and Taiwan to more than 1,000,000 customers across Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Job Qualifications
  • Poly students or university students are welcomed to apply
  • Possesses basic knowledge of HR procedure
  • Active, pleasant personality, and cheerful
  • Good team player and able to work under minimal supervision
  • Proficient in MS Office, especially in MS Excel
  • Excellent English and Chinese speaking and writing skills are advantageous (in order to liaise with the Chinese speaking associates)
Key Responsibilities
  • Monitor staff’s time attendance
  • Basic recruitment
  • Staff communication & correspondence
  • Employee welfare, benefits & compensation
  • Creating quarterly newsletter
  • Basic administration work
  • Communicating with vendor or supplier
  • Assist to fixed asset management
  • Ability to manage and organize data and information for HR and finance
  • Assist document filing and receiving, basic paperwork
  • Additional duties assigned by the Management from time to time
How to apply?

Submit your application to Emma via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#4: Ezbuy – Marketing Intern (Beauty Marketplace)
ezbuy

Image Credits: The Low Down

Allowance / Remuneration: S$800 monthly

Formerly known as 65Daigou, owned by EZbuy Holdings Limited, Ezbuy is a provider of online global shopping services. Founded in 2010 by a group of aspiring entrepreneurs, Ezbuy quickly rose to become one of the largest global shopping platforms.

According to the company, they currently provide global shopping services from China, USA, and Taiwan to more than 1,000,000 customers across Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Job Qualifications
  • Ability to speak both English and Chinese – in order to liaise with Chinese speaking associates
  • Good skills in using office software including excel, ppt, etc.
  • Having photoshop skill will be advantageous.
  • Actively looking out for the latest trends.
  • Have good written and speaking skills.
  • Good understanding of beauty products.
  • Being fast and accurate.
  • Having analytical skills.
  • Being detail-oriented.
  • Able to adapt to different working environments.
Key Responsibilities
  • Communicate with beauty marketplace sellers to plan for campaigns and execute them with the guidance of the marketing team (in both English and Chinese)
  • Managing the beauty marketplace.
  • Creating new ideas to promote for sellers.
  • Managing and updating the website on the latest trends.
  • Analyzing sales, prices, and preparing recommendations.
  • Conducting research on the market competitiveness.
  • Critical thinking and able to work independently.
  • Assist in local marketplace operations.
  • Maintaining onsite assets such as campaign landing pages.
How to apply?

Submit your application to Tee Hao Wen via this link.

View the job post in full here.

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Experts advise on the art of writing a resume to increase your chances of getting that interview

Picking out a resume

The job market is tough out there. But we’re glad to hear that more jobs and traineeships in the healthcare sector will be made available for fresh graduates and mid-career job seekers.

In fact, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said on Wednesday (Aug 26) that the government will implement new programmes to bring in business investments, support local entrepreneurship, and create “good jobs” for Singaporeans.

But job vacancies mean nothing if you aren’t able to land yourself an interview because of a poorly written resume. Hear from the experts on the art of crafting a resume if you want to increase your chances of getting that interview and eventually signing that job contract.

#1: Go beyond copying and pasting of your roles and duties
Copy-and-paste

Image Credits: Soda PDF

“Resumes should clearly express your value proposition and achievements, and not merely a copy-and-paste of your roles and duties,” said Lim Kai Ning, the head of social impact at CareerSocius, a social enterprise that helps job seekers in Singapore ramp up their personal branding.

Harry Suresh, the founder and CEO of ResumeWriter Asia, a recruiter licensed by the Ministry Of Manpower suggests job seekers highlight their achievements.

“In their work descriptions, candidates list only their day-to-day responsibilities, which simply shows that they can do their job. Achievements, on the other hand, show they excel at it,” he said.

#2: Watch that length, style, and structure
how long should a resume be

Image Credits: ProViso Consulting

Length

While it’s advisable for you to list your achievements, don’t overdo it. Remember, you’re not writing an academic essay. “Some people submit really lengthy resumes with too many descriptors. The best resumes pack a punch and are succinct,” said Lim.

A maximum resume length of two to three pages is generally acceptable for a mid- to senior-level job seeker, said Suresh. “As a rule of thumb, the more concise a resume, the better.” For fresh graduates or those with lesser than five years’ experience, keep your resume within two pages, he recommended.

Style

“It is better to spell out certain abbreviations in full and not assume that all employers widely recognise them,” Lim said.

As for fonts, Suresh recommends using serif fonts such as Garamond, Cambria, or Georgia for longer documents or paragraphs of text as they look formal, professional, and easy on the eyes. A font size between 11 and 12 points for the body text is appropriate.

He also added that san serif fonts such as Lato or Helvetica are suitable. “These are less common than Arial or Calibri, and more likely to catch recruiters’ attention,” he said.

“You can also have titles or headers with bigger font sizes than your main content to guide the reader in differentiating between each section of your resume,” she advised.

Structure

“Key skills should be listed near the top of the resume; this is essential to communicate core skill sets to recruiters at a glance,” said Suresh.

#3: Prioritize the right information
Prioritize the right information in your resume

Image Credits: G2 Learning Hub

With so much to include, how do you prioritize the right information to include in your resume? Suresh directs job seekers to focus on their most recent roles as they are more likely to be relevant to one’s current career goals.

“For roles that are five positions or over 10 years back, jobseekers can often limit it to the job title, company, and dates.”

Lim said, “Ask yourself these two questions: ‘What value did I bring to my previous role?’ and ‘If someone had the exact same job scope as me, how were my contributions different from his?’. The crux is to tease out what makes you unique, and hence, a notch above the other candidates.”

“For someone who has held multiple positions over a period of time, highlight different skills and expertise across the various positions instead of repeating them.”

#4: What to leave out in your resume – salaries, photos, and school activities
What to leave out in your resume

Image Credits: AMCAT.com

Omit your expected and last-drawn salaries, unless it’s necessary as stated in the job post. “It might be better to negotiate it directly when the job offer is being extended to the individual or to disclose an expectation during the interview stage,” said Lim.

She also informs us not to include our photo if it’s not a compulsory action. This is to prevent any unconscious biases during the selection process. “They are typically required only for frontline jobs (for example, sales), or when specifically required by the employer during the application stage.”

Suresh stated that those with over three years’ experience can omit CCAs, school projects, and other school activities. But for those without much experience, listing them down “may help demonstrate transferable and essential skill sets, such as leadership and interpersonal skills, which can’t otherwise be conveyed”.

#5: Choose the right tone for your cover letter
resume-vs-coverletter

Image Credits: SweetCV

Lim advises job seekers to do their research on the company’s culture and style to determine the tone – whether casual or professional. “Cover letters are slightly more emotive and you can use the opportunity to showcase your purpose, passions, and strengths in a strategic manner.”

“Avoid using vague, passive words like ‘assisted’ or ‘supported’ that do not indicate much about your scope of contribution.” Instead, use action words like “initiated” or “revamped” to show your active role while working in the company.

As with all things, don’t overdo it. Exaggerating excessively may come across as inauthentic.

To add on to what Lim said, Suresh recommends using straight-to-the-point sentences and cutting out buzzwords – even articles (“a”, “an”, “and”, “the”) and pronouns (“I”, “me”, “who”) – for the best impact.

Take a look at these two sentences:

  • Directed team of 12, managing annual sales pipeline of S$12m
  • Sales ninja, responsible for growing the brand’s synergy

Which do you think is the better written one out of the two? If you guessed the first, you’re correct. According to Suresh, using action words and substantiating your claims with metrics will appear more credible and confident.

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