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Eight Possible Reasons Why Your CV Got Dumped

If you have not received any confirmation or callbacks, it is likely that your CV (Curriculum Vitae) was rejected. Why is this so?

#1: You are clearly unqualified for the job that you are applying for.

It is as simple as that! If the HR department perceives that you are submitting an irrelevant resume then, they will ignore your application. Making a significant career switch is acceptable as long as you put it in your cover letter.

#2: Your materials were unpolished.

How can you validate your sharp attention to detail if your CV and supporting documents were embellished with grammatical and typographical errors? Having someone proofread your submission will help prevent shameful mistakes and help check your cohesive thoughts.

#3: Your application got lost in the pile.

Some companies receive a massive pool of applicants on a daily basis. They need to seek help from young interns to cover the load. Novice interns may lose your premier CV in the pile. This is why you must send a follow-up after 3 days.

#4: You used an unappealing font.

I completely understand that you want to stand out from the crowd, but a funky font is not the answer. The appearance of your CV is one of the first few things that the HR Department considers. Stick to the trusty “Arial” font!

#5: You have significant employment gaps.

Job hopping has become prolific in the Singaporean workplace. Employers dread the stories of employees who suddenly went MIA. So, they watch out for applicants with significant employment gaps.

#6: You do not seem to be eager to move.

If an expanding company needs to fill a position immediately, your well-crafted resume may be ignored. It does not matter if you are the ideal candidate for the job! What matters most for some employers is your willingness to move.

#7: You used an incompatible format.

Once again, the appearance of your CV is crucial to gain the attention of the recruiters. Ensure that you are using the right type of document when sending your CV. Some companies may prefer a .pdf file, while others may opt for the .docs file.

#8: Your CV was sent thru a staffing firm.

People who have a hard time looking for a job in Singapore can hire the services of staffing or recruitment firms. The only downside is that certain companies intentionally ignore the applicants under said firms.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You see, staffing firms require charge a substantial amount of money for every role filled. The company may think that it is better on its own.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

This could be one of the best miles credit card with a rate of 6 miles per dollar spent

I always wanted to see the world — or at least the United States — but i didn’t have a budget to justify it. I started looking for the best ways to accomplish my goal and how to save money on flights. A few years ago, i found something surprising.

By using a strategy, there is a certain group of people that are flying for free every year. Here’s how it works:

How to Fly for Free

A great and affordable way to fly for cheap is by using frequent flyer miles. Cash in your miles, get a free flight and travel for less.

At first, I assumed that you had to fly all the time to earn frequent flyer miles. They are called “frequent flyer” miles after all. As it turns out, that’s the complete opposite of what is true. The best way to earn frequent flyer miles isn’t by flying at all. It’s by finding the best credit card deals for earning frequent flyer miles, free hotel stays, and rewards points.

Best Miles Credit Card

Introducing the new OCBC Titanium Rewards Credit Card that earns you 10x OCBC$ for ever S$1 spent – when you shop online and offline, locally and overseas!

OCBC Titanium Rewards Cardholders are entitled to earn 10X OCBC$ with every S$1 spend, if they perform Local & Overseas Shopping Transactions and Local & Overseas Online Transactions at establishments that fall within any of the following approved Merchant Category Codes (MCC):

MCC 5311: Department Stores
MCC 5611: Men’s and Boys’ Clothing and Accessories Stores
MCC 5621: Women’s Ready to Wear Stores
MCC 5631: Women’s Accessory and Speciality Stores
MCC 5641: Children’s and Infants’ Wear Stores
MCC 5651: Family Clothing Stores
MCC 5661: Shoe Stores
MCC 5691: Men’s and Women’s Clothing Stores
MCC 5045: Computers, Peripherals, and Software
MCC 5732: Electronics Stores
MCC 5699: Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessory Shops
MCC 5912: Drug Stores and Pharmacies (from 17 October 2016 to 31 March 2017)

Making transactions with their OCBC Titanium Rewards Cards from 17 October 2016 to 31 March 2017, through Mobile Payments (Android Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay) will also entitle the Cardholders to earn 10X OCBC$ with every S$1 spend.

You can exchange 10,000 KrisFlyer miles with 25,000 OCBC$. (10x OCBC$ for S$2,500 spend) For the frequent travelers, this is equivalent to 4 miles for every S$1 spent, making it one of the best air miles credit card in the market.

What’s more, from now till 15 Feb 2017, you get to enjoy a higher rate of 15x OCBC$ for a limited time. That is equivalent to a miles conversion rate of 6 miles per S$1 spend. Read the T&C here.

Bonus sign-up promotion

Apply for this credit card before 31 January 2017 and receive $50 Grab, Zalora or Chope voucher of your choice upon card approval. For more information on this promotion, click here.

Play Your Cards Right

Chasing miles would not be a good idea if you do not pay your balance in full every month. As a reminder, live a life with no debt and do whatever you can to lower or erase your debt.

If you do it right, however, you will be on your way to rack up enough frequent flyer miles to fly for free.

How To Celebrate Valentine’s Day Without Spending Too Much

Valentine’s Day is one of the most expensive “holidays” in Singapore.

But, it does not have to be!

You can always celebrate love without breaking the bank.

ELICITING GENUINE EXCITEMENT

One of the best ways to start a date is by handing over a sweet letter that will elicit genuine excitement. Crafting your own Valentine’s Day card costs practically nothing! Simply use the art materials that are available in your own home. Pouring your heart and soul into written words is more personal than signing your initials into a mass-produced holiday card.

Apply your personal skills to your homemade cards to boost its quality. Consider these scenarios:

a. An illustrator may draw the image of his or her significant other.
b. A digital enthusiast may animate a romantic message and send it via email.
c. If you like to bake, you may place the card on the top of a delicious box of cookies.
d. If you like to blog, you can create a beautiful post for your lover.

These things are more likely to be treasured than the items bought at the store.

FUELING THE ARTISTIC CLIMAX

Appreciating the arts is often perceived as something exclusive to affluent individuals. Purchasing concert tickets at Esplanade can be costly! Not to mention, purchasing art at galleries can cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, locals and permanent residents have the option to hop around several museums for FREE!

Build up on the excitement by taking your beloved on a “not so typical” date at our very own Singapore Art Museum. This innovative museum houses a great collection of contemporary Southeast Asian art ranging from sculptures and paintings to installation art and moving media. They regularly collaborate with the leading international museums to cover both the local and international art practices.

Your date will be amazed with its current exhibition entitled: Singapore Biennale 2016: An Atlas of Mirrors.

LEAVING A LASTING IMPRESSION

Close your lovely day with a hearty dinner. Going to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day takes guts as you need to brave the waves of people and to make early reservations. Save money and avoid stress by preparing a romantic meal in the comfort of your own space.

Great recipes are available at Epicurious, AllRecipes.com, and RasaMalaysia.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If your budget does not allow you to celebrate on February 14 itself then, consider choosing an alternative day. It will not only be cheaper, but it will also be less crowded. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you spent the gift of love with your partner.

Sources: 1 & 2

Welcome The Auspicious Chinese New Year By Spending Less

According to a recent survey by United Overseas Bank (UOB), Singaporeans are planning to minimize their overall spending for the Chinese New Year (CNY).

It is interesting to read that 3 in 4 people intend to use their red packets to grow their savings. Furthermore, the participants’ budget for the joyful event is S$2,503 on average. This number is 11% lower than last year’s intended budget of S$2,805. Just take a gander at this info-graphic:

Image Credits: http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/01/13/uob_cny_2017_infographic_12jan_fa_2-3.jpg

Image Credits: straitstimes.com

To help your wallet and your cause, here are some tips to lower your CNY spending:

GO LIGHT ON SNACKS

The vibrant festivities of the CNY will not be complete without the delectable snacks. You may notice that that homemade snacks are all the rage these days.

Many small-time retailers had to hire helpers in order to satisfy the demand for these special snacks. The act of labeling a snack as “homemade” can increase its worth by approximately 25%. For instance, a fifteen-dollar box of sweet almond cookies will cost S$18 or S$20 instead. The meticolous process poured into homemade snacks make it generally acceptable to charge more.

Reminder: Set a fixed budget for your snacks. Focus on amplifying the quality of your party rather than the food.

GET RID OF THE BAD MOJO

Sales are everywhere! Instead of spending your hard-earned money on shopping, put your unused energy into good use. Get rid of the unpleasant mojo from the years past by employing something similar to “spring cleaning”. Tidy up your entire home thoroughly with your family. It is important to keep your broom, vacuum, and mop before the CNY too.

Remember: Superstition dictates that whatever you do during the CNY season will characterize how you will live through the following 12 months. This is why you must keep your home and finances in order. For instance, you must avoid borrowing money in the first two weeks of 2017.

ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR ANG BAO

Red packet or Ang Bao will grace the country once more to mark the first day of the CNY. It exudes “good luck” and is supposed to ward off the evil spirits. The red packet contains as low as S$2 and as high as S$200 on average.

Married couples are usually the ones to distribute the red packets to single people. Now, let us discuss how much money shall be put inside. A red packet containing a minimum of S$2 to S$20 is appropriate to give for children, while it ranges from about S$8 to S$88 for parents. You may give the same amount of money to your friends or colleagues’ children as you did with your own children.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Reminder: Innocent children are likely to misplace the red packets. Give the money directly to the parents instead.

Sources: 1, 2 &,3

You Can Flawlessly Survive A Long-Haul Flight

Discovering the cultural differences while traveling the globe is a luxury that many Singaporeans are willing to pay for. While some flights pass by in a snap, other flights seem to drag on forever. I am pertaining to the intimidating long-haul flights!

Each passenger has a story to tell, but I am going to share an interesting one. My friend Rose (definitely not her real name) is a globetrotter. She had her fair share of short term and long term flights, including some of the most rough routes. Among these flights, she will not forget about her 15-hour experience to London. She was seated beside a highly anxious teen who could not stop crying. The teen felt cold and dizzy. She kept crying for almost 10 minutes. At this moment she questioned why this was happening to her. Why was she seated beside a person who is having a panic or anxiety attack? Fortunately, the situation was handled by a passenger who happens to be a licensed doctor.

Rose’s story is a rare case. Most flights are better than others as you may employ strategies to help ease your journey. Flying for a long period of time can become enjoyable with preparation and determination. Let us start with the factors that you can control such as your clothing, seat, and diet.

Given that you have to endure wearing the same outfit for more than three hours, you must be decked out in a comfortable one. Ensure that your chosen set can withstand the blast of the powerful air-conditioning system. I suggest to opt for several loose layers and closed-toed shoes.

When it comes to your eating regimen, you must shy away from alcohol and carbohydrates as much as possible. Carbohydrates holds water and makes you feel more bloated. While, alcohol is a dehydrating agent. Stick to the healthy option of fish (or chicken) and water instead. It is always a good idea to gulp a considerable amount of water before, during, and after your flight.

Lastly, it is important to realize the convenience that the contemporary era brings. Sit peacefully in your seat by reserving ahead of time. Avoid the noise created by babies and children by staying away from the front part of the plane. To reap the benefits of spacious legroom, choose the seats in the exit rows.

To prevent muscle soreness or discomfort, remember to do simple stretching exercises while sitting down. Twist your torso and look behind your shoulders every once in a while. You may also roll your head for a few times to help ease a stiff neck. Having the seat-belt sign turn off can work to your favor! Just take short walks to the lavatory area to stretch your legs and hips.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As with every circumstances in life, you cannot always be on top of the situation. A bearable long-haul flight to others may not serve you well. What can get you through the frightening turbulence and the deafening scream is a positive mindset. Perceive a long-haul flight as a beaming opportunity to catch up on your sleep or television series. It is also the ideal time to indulge on a movie marathon or to carefully write a business plan.

I admit it! Flying for a long period of time is not always easy for the mind and the body. Still, many of the strategies that I mentioned above can help reduce the strain of flying. Follow and modify these. More importantly, realize that the flight will eventually come to a safe ending. So, stay hopeful and committed!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

How to Fly for Free

Best Miles Credit Card

Bonus sign-up promotion

Play Your Cards Right

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