Thrive In The Workplace With These Personality Traits

When applying for a position, professional success and industry experience are merely parts of what the hiring manager wants to see. Elements which are harder to show are crucial for landing the job! I am referring to the personality traits that make you a good fit for the company.

Keeping the job with these personality traits is another story!

#1: INTEGRITY

It goes without saying that upholding moral principles is a desirable quality in the workplace. Hence, some hiring managers conduct integrity tests by providing situational questions. The employer needs to know that you can be trusted even without his or her presence.

Do you steal company pens on a regular basis? Or, do you leave early without saying a word? You may think that no one sees these subtle dishonesty, but you are wrong. You never know who is watching you! You best behave well. Choosing the “right” thing to do is challenging, but you must not give in to your selfish desires.

#2: OPENNESS TO FEEDBACK

When it comes to the workplace, being open to receive developmental feedback or constructive criticism is crucial to success. Receiving these messages can help you to efficiently hit your career goals.

The secret to receiving and giving feedback is to come into the conversation from a place of kindness. Keep in mind that you are not receiving constructive criticism because the person dislikes you. Instead, this person wants you to be the best version of yourself. Taking things personally or reacting defensively can surpress a more practical strategy that you can adapt.

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For people who are not comfortable with receiving feedback, immersion therapy is recommended. Make feedback a part of your daily life. Ask feedback from the people you work with as well as the people who knows you best. This way, future feedback will be easier to take.

#3: ADAPTABILITY

Whether you are shuffling a schedule with your pregrant co-worker or relocating to a new town, nobody wants to listen to your complaints. Accepting that change is a part of the constantly-evolving business world is important.

Say that you are not comfortable with the frequent changes happening in your workplace. Instead of immediately voicing out your emotions, you may write these feelings down. Organizing your thoughts can help you distinguish whether these are legitimate concerns or annoying complaints. Urgent matters need to be discussed with the team.

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Nonetheless, flexibility is a desirable trait in every industry. Having a positive attitude about change and unforeseen events can help you grow in your career.

#4: DISCIPLINE

Discipline is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior. It is the action or inaction related to the code of ethics or the rules governing your company. Discipline is more than just ticking all the boxes of your to-do list. It is an attitude that can pour out to all of your professional decisions. An employee with a poor attitude will not go very far in life!

If you aim to be a boss one day, you need to develop self-discipline. Say that you cannot manage your own time. How can you expect your employees to manage theirs? Self-discipline in the workplace involves arriving on time and resisting the temptation of skipping “boring tasks” such as attending meetings or organizing files.

#5: KINDNESS

Work may be the place where you want to be kind, but being likable can get you far! Likable or pleasant people tend to have more employment opportunities as well as co-worker support. Pursuing your career goals while keeping the best interests of others in mind is ideal.

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Nasty people do not always finish first! You do not need to step on people’s ways to get ahead of the employee ladder. Focus on advancement while noticing the needs and feelings of those around you.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Newbie’s Guide To Affordable Kids’ Clothing In Singapore

Are you in need of stylish threads on a budget? From adorable dresses to casual boys’ loungewear, I have gotten it all covered for you!

#1: FOR EVERYDAY WEAR: FOX

Due to having a huge family, my childhood was certainly colorful. One of the things that I enjoyed was the Christmas rush. Accompanied by a long list, my mother frequently buys children’s gifts from FOX. This shop houses an extensive range of everyday wear.

For over 14 years in Singapore, FOX has grown tremendously with 17 retail stores islandwide. What I like most about this brand is its ability to offer casual, yet stylish outfits accompanied by accessories. Surely, your little one’s personality will shine!

Website: foxfashion.sg

#2: FOR THE BASICS: UNIQLO

If you believe that shopping for basics is more practical as your children grow rapidly then, you must frequent Uniqlo. This Japanese store tops my list when it comes to basics and loungewear. For instance, “KIDS Packaged Colour Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt” costs S$5.90 only.

You will be able to choose some insanely comfortable shirts and jammies, which are great for the country’s warm weather. Stylish selection does not stop there! You may indulge in the occasional collaborations featuring Disney, Marvel, and other anime characters.

Website: uniqlo.com/sg

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: FOR ALL AGES: COTTON ON KIDS

Australia’s Cotton On is a brand that needs little to no introduction. Thriving on cheap yet trendy clothing, Cotton On has since expanded to include the kids and baby’s section. Said section caters to infants up to their teens. What I admire most about this brand is its dedication to regularly updating the collections to keep up with the latest trends.

What’s more? Cotton On Kids has exclusive online sales. Make it a habit to check the website to get more discounts.

Website: cottonon.com/SG/kids

#4: FOR URBAN CHIC PIECES: NEXT

Looking for funky patterns that will suit a fancy party or a stroll to Orchard Street? Try Next Singapore. It is an online shop that has you covered for every occasion. Personally, I am a fan of its dress collection. The quirky patterns on the “Teal Ditsy Print Dress” (about S$11) are incredibly attractive! The teen’s collection is worth checking out too.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Enjoy free shipping for orders over S$50. Otherwise, you will be charged S$6 per order.

Website: next.sg/en

Sources: 1 & 2

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How to Protect Your Assets in a Divorce

Divorce – it happens to the best of us. Statistics show that in the UK there were 106,959 divorces of opposite-sex couples and 112 divorces of same-sex couples in 2016 alone. Although it is, of course, very sad to go your separate ways, it’s important to remember that your assets must be protected in divorce proceedings.

Here are a few words of advice about how a divorce doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll automatically lose half of your assets. Here’s how you can best protect your finances in divorce proceedings:

Don’t Let Emotions Cloud Your Judgement

There’s often a lot of hurt feelings that come hand-in-hand with divorce. However, when it comes to protecting your finances, there’s no room for emotion and ultimately, playing a game of ‘tit for tat’ could be bad news for your assets.

Divorce isn’t cheap and sending short letters to each other through your divorce lawyers about trivial matters could end up costing you hundreds of pounds. Be savvy with your money and pick your battles carefully.

Get Your Property Valued

Almost all property can be divisible in divorce proceedings so the only way to get ahead is to know what your property is actually worth. How else will you get your fair share when you come to part ways?

Dividing your property is always going to be a complex arrangement, especially if you have contributed different amounts to your household. Take time to understand how your home can be divided, whether it’s putting it up for sale or arranging a buy-out.

Get to Know Both of Your Finances

In many households, there’s often one person who manages the majority of the finances and this creates a power imbalance when you’re negotiating settlements. Make sure you know both of your finances thoroughly – any hidden debt that’s incurred during the marriage could be owned by the couple, even if only one spouse signed the paperwork.

This is incredibly complicated so you should protect yourself by seeking advice from your divorce lawyers. They can advise you on how to make informed financial decisions when filing for divorce.

Also, consider your biggest assets – many people think it’s property but it could be a pension account. Bear in mind the court may take into account its future value when dividing assets, which would certainly affect you financially.

Consider Mediation

Mediation is the most cost-effective way of negotiating a divorce. It could help you reach an agreement by yourselves through direct discussions and allow you to negotiate a deal that works for you.

This could help you save money, although you may still need some independent legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances. This could include advice on financial proposals, the information you need, whether the practical arrangements will work and all of the necessary parts of your divorce settlement.

Mediation is an empowering way to keep some level of control over the proceedings and make sensible decisions after all the options have been discussed with your ex-spouse.

If you’re going through a divorce and you’re concerned about how it could affect your financial affairs, follow our tips on how to be smart with your assets even when emotions are running high. These can help you protect yourself and your future, to help you look forward to a positive new start.

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Who Handles Money Better: Men Or Women?

Each gender may argue that they are better in handling finances than their counterpart. That is completely understandable! From being more conservative when spending money to comparing investment plans, men and women generally have different attitudes toward money. So, how will we know which gender is better?

#1: WHO HAS MORE CPF?

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a mandatory comprehensive savings plan for working Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. It is primarily used to fund retirement, housing, and healthcare needs. Whether you believe it or not, Singaporean women were observed to leave a greater part of their CPF untouched compared to the Singaporean men. Said women enjoyed a better rate of interest in the long run.

The conservative trait of these women extends to their choice of cars. Women tend to own more “practical cars” with less running costs than men. Does this conservatism extend to investments?

#2: WHO IS MORE CONFIDENT IN INVESTING?

When it comes to investing money, a study showed that men are more confident than women. Attitude towards investments can influence the growth of wealth.

As I have said above, women seem to steer away from risks. They tend to stick to low-risk low returns instruments such as the bank account. On the other hand, men were more knowledgeable in diverse investment instruments. They prefer to invest their money in asset classes with high returns and low risks.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO ASK THE PROFESSIONALS?

Women are more likely to ask for directions than men. The same idea applies to their management of financial woes. They are not afraid to ask for help.

A report published by an Australian publication found that 53% of women against 44% of men were more likely to seek professional advice from financial planners. Women do whatever it takes to keep their finances healthy!

#4: WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO PAY IN ADVANCE?

Spending habits can significantly affect how one saves money. Empirical evidence claims that women spend a greater percentage of their earnings on daily expenses whereas men seem to spend their earnings occasionally. Personally, my partner rarely shops for his own clothes. Do not get me started with how often I shop!

Additionally, men and women differ in debt payment. Men are more likely to use the cash advances than women. You see, an American survey found that 92% of female participants paid a late fee at one point or as opposed to only 23% of male participants.

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In conclusion, each gender possesses a superior trait in specific categories. While, the less “superior” gender compensates in other categories. Working together to balance out your strengths and weaknesses can be the best bet!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How To Save Money For Your Child’s Education In Singapore

GO LOCAL

As parents, you are well aware that deciding your child’s school involves various choices and costs. It is quite a task to run through every option available in Singapore. Budgetary constraints start from pre-school onwards. To play things safe, choose a government-associated institution. The public school system provides globally competitive education without putting a strain on your pocket.

LOCATION IS VITAL

Location plays an important role when choosing a tuition center. If you value tuition then, opt for the centers close to your home. Alternatively, you may organize a carpool program to cut down your transportationc costs.

Say that you intend to enroll your children in a private tuition. Consider asking for their package or discounted deals.

HONE THE HOBBIES

Academics is not everything! Raising a well-rounded child involves shaping his or her hobbies. You do not need to spend cash on workshops as there are many free amenities found in your town park. Go to the nearby park and let your child play on the swings.

Is your child interested in reading? Spend quality time at home by reading your child a storybook during bedtime. Furthermore, the National Library Board hosts free educational events such as the sold out program entitled: “Let’s Science Together! – Science Experiments for Parents and Kids”. For more information about their upcoming events, visit: nlb.gov.sg.

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Lastly, you may stroll in Esplanade to experience their free artistic events such as the “A Monsta Party”!

TREASURE IN THE BOX

Dig through your child’s closet and toy box to find some hidden treasures! Instead of throwing away your children’s outgrown clothes and used toys, you may sell them online or through a consigment store. Selling your stuff away will not only help you clear out, but also provide you extra cash.

INVEST ON BONDS

Investing your money on the stock market help you grow an education fund. One of the most popular investment options for education funding is bonds. Singapore Government Bonds is believed to be close to risk-free. Choose long-term bonds with periods ranging from 2 to 30 years in order to get higher returns.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Birthdays are important to your children as gifts come along with it. In lined with this, you may try asking your relatives to provide experiential gifts. Experiential gifts refer to soccer classes, swimming lessons, or other enrichment programs that your child can benefit from.

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Not only are these gifts more memorable than toys, but it can also help you save for your child’s future education.

Sources: 1 & 2

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