SIM CAREER CONNECT NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 5 | 2022 Q2 IN THIS ISSUE
Company Tour and other event recaps! Hear from our Workshop TrainerLionel Lim! Find out more about 3 graduate programmes! Hear from our students and graduates!
DIRECTOR'S NOTE DR AARON TAN
Director, Learner Advisory and Career Centre Singapore Institute of Management
Hello everyone! I hope the first half of the year has been good for you! Singapore, like many parts of the world, is adjusting to a new normal, trying to live with Covid and getting as much of our pre-Covid lives back. I’m sure many of you are looking forward to have more of your classes back on campus and to meet up with your classmates and lecturers physically! In line with that, the Career Connect office will also be re-opening from 13 June onwards and we look forward to meeting you all face to face – do drop in if you have any enquiries on anything related to your career planning, or even just to say “Hi”! In this issue of our newsletter we will be highlighting a couple of exciting events that have just passed. One would be a company visit to AsiaPac Technology (an Infocomm Technology company under M1) – this was the first since the pandemic struck, and we hope to arrange many more company visits in time to come. We will also highlight events that are coming up real soon, for example, the Onboarding Wealth Management programme jointly organised and sponsored by UOB Bank. We ran a successful pilot last year and we will feature one of our Alumni, Hnin A Kery, who got the job with UOB as a result of this programme. We have also packed in a number of articles covering topics on how to excel in your first job, how to deal with different kinds of bosses, etc. which I’m sure you will find useful. Enjoy the read, and we hope to see you at Career Connect real soon! Take care and stay safe!
MEET THE TEAM
OUR TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME INTERNS
Alex Lee Xin (Advisor) University of London BSc International Relations
Cheok Puey Yeng (Writer) RMIT BBus International Business
Evangeline Chan (Designer, Editor) RMIT University BC Professional Communication
Koh Xin Hui (Designer, Editor) University at Buffalo BSc Business Administration
Tresha Lakshmi (Writer) Singapore Institute of Management Dip. in Banking & Finance
Lauren Leong (Writer) RMIT University BBus Management
Frentsen Xie (Writer) Singapore Institute of Management Dip. in Information Technology
Tasha Teong (Writer) University of London BSc Economics & management
UPCOMING EVENTS 14 June - 6 July 2022
Tech Career Acceleration Taught by mentors from Google & Meta.
20 - 22 June 2022
Virtual Career Week
23 - 27 June 2022
Future of Work Training Series Onboarding Wealth Management Roles with UOB
05 July 2022
Acing Aptitude Tests & Assessment Practices Webinar RSVP @ qrco.de/unicorn-workshop
COMPANY TOUR
By Puey Yeng
On 22 April 2022, Career Connect collaborated with AsiaPac Technology to host our first physical Company Tour since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Through this open house, 30 students were able to get a clearer understanding of the services provided by AsiaPac, network with employers, as well as to understand the skill sets that are highly sought after in the tech industry. AsiaPac Technology’s Company Tour was a unique opportunity for students to get an authentic view of the company. There was a comprehensive presentation about the key projects and partners they were liaising with. Students were then separated into groups based on their interests: Tech development and business development. AsiaPac has unique facilities such as a business development office, a technology solutions office, a recreation room and a gym for their employees! Our students were well taken care of as refreshments were provided and they got to engage in candid conversations with the respective department heads.
HEAR FROM OUR PARTICIPANT! "Overall, I would say that this was an incredible experience for students to gain insights into the tech industry. The staff from AsiaPac were really friendly and knowledgeable.
Tyson Chan, SIM-UOL BSc Economics and Finance Year 3
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Considering that a career in tech is highly sought after by SIM students, this open house was a great opportunity for students to dip their toes into the tech industry."
opportunities
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https://www2.asiapac.com.sg/careers/
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hr@asiapac.com.sg
MEET OUR WORKSHOP TRAINER LIONEL LIM
By Xin Hui
One of Singapore’s most prolific personal branding speaker cum learning and development consultant with 12 years of experience, Lionel Lim believes in creating a memorable learning experience for his clients. It is often said that “Lionel’s biggest gifts are his twin abilities to connect with people from different cultures and simplify difficult concepts for his audience to internalise them quickly”. Blending expertise and edutainment, his personable character has allowed him to build and maintain solid relationships with a prominent client portfolio of over 300 MNCs, businesses, government organisations and educational institutions. Till date, he has conducted training programmes in both English and Mandarin to industry clients such as HSBC Bank, Pfizer Singapore, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific and many more. Lionel’s work and interviews have been featured extensively on 30 international and local media platforms like ABC News, BBC World TV News and The Straits Time. Lionel has been teaching SIM students on branding related topics such as LinkedIn, personal branding and professional grooming ever since 2019!
Why do you think branding for students/graduates is important? Firstly, you differentiate yourself from others around you. Thousands of people graduate each year from the different universities. When you differentiate yourself via personal branding, you will be remembered. Remember, you cannot be a typical graduate. Secondly, position yourself as the go-to-person in your chosen field or industry. This opens doors of opportunities for potential employers, headhunters and HR people to headhunt you. Thirdly, you create a competitive advantage for career opportunities you deserve. Think in terms of your own value proposition and better pay.
How has your experience conducting workshops for SIM students been so far? It has been a very enriching experience sharing my knowledge and strategies with SIM students. I find that students are very engaged in class activities, which is really encouraging. They are also inquisitive and will not hesitate to clear their doubts. SIM students in general are appreciative of my efforts and some of them have also kept in touch with me on LinkedIn after the workshops.
Common mistakes you see SIM students making. How can they boost their competitive edge? I think this applies to many students in general and not only SIM students. They tend to downplay their accomplishments even though they have really achieved a lot. This is not boasting about how good you are because in honesty, you are really that good. It’s a pity that you fail to write out your accomplishments on LinkedIn. To boost your competitive edge, you need to quantify your achievements. Think in terms of facts, figures or percentages. When you flesh out the details, you get to showcase your true capabilities (proven track record) and hint at your future abilities (potentialities).
Any networking tips for graduates? When viewed positively, networking can be non-intimidating and yet fun. Tip #1: Arrive Early Arriving early allows you to relax and give you time to check your attire again. First impressions matter and what you wear (including how you wear it) speaks volumes before you even open your mouth to speak. Tip #2: Build Rapport Firstly, engage in small talk. No one talks politics or big world issues at networking sessions. Neither do you appear narrow-minded by talking about the increase in transport fares or petrol prices. Next, introduce yourself. Mention something memorable about yourself so it sticks in the mind of your listener. Lastly, exchange cards or social media contacts with others. This is to allow you to connect post-networking. Tip #3: Set A Personal Goal Set a personal goal for yourself and ensure you meet or even exceed your targets. Here are some examples: How many people do you want to connect with or speak to? How many conversations do you want to initiate?
Any tips for virtual interviews ?
Tip #1: Reduce Your ‘Background’ Noise Reduce your ‘background’ noise by using a virtual background, especially if your room is messy. You certainly would not want to showcase your bed, TV or wardrobe in the background either. Remember, first impressions matter huge. Tip #2: Look At The Camera Always look at the camera (and not at the interviewer) during the virtual interview. Many make the mistake of not looking at the camera. And when viewed across the screen, it appears you are not giving proper eye contact to the interviewers. Tip #3: Adopt Positive Body Language Adopt positive body language postures throughout. This includes sitting upright, smiling often and affirmative hand gestures. Upcoming workshops by Lionel Lim Building An Effective Online Presence with LinkedIn Jun 22, 2022 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM How To Boost Your Brand On Google Jul 14, 2022 3.30PM - 6.30PM Sign up now: qrco.de/unicorn-workshop
Types Of Bosses & How To Handle Them By XinHui & Tasha
The Workaholics Always thinking of work 24/7 Causes poor work-life balance Tips: Negotiate alternatives that would be able to deliver high-quality output.
The Alpha Great and smart leaders who command respect Give straightforward feedback Can be highly aggressive even when it's uncalled for Tips: Don't be afraid to speak up in a respectful manner.
The Pacesetter Expect employees to put in their best effort to produce maximum results Not afraid of going the extra mile to rescue a situation by themselves. Tips: Work hard and aim for the best results. Clarify when confused and share frequent progress with them.
The Micromanager Constantly monitoring your actions and checking your work Employees get a lack autonomy to decide on how to get work done Tips: Show that you are capable of managing yourself when given the flexibility to do so.
The Coach Derive fulfilment from the growth of their employees Help employees set goals Easy to talk to and can help you perform your duties faster. Tips: Be open about your needs and enlist their help to set well-defined goals.
The Eccentric Difficult to understand as they think outside traditional conventions Challenge teams to achieve extreme objectives Will cause confusion and frustration as they are constantly changing methods Tips: Be open to new innovative solutions. Study their behaviour and come up with a strategy that works for them.
FUTURE OF WORK TRAINING SERIES
ONBOARDING Wealth Management Roles With By Frentsen The Onboarding Wealth Management Roles Programme is back again! The 4-day training and placement programme will take place over 4 days from 23-27 June. At the end of the 4 days, participants are expected to draft a business development plan and pitch it to the hiring managers of UOB. High-performing participants can look forward to an exciting job opportunity with UOB and all participants will receive a certificate of completion. Hear from Hnin A Kery, a SIM-UOL graduate who secured the offer from UOB after attending the 2021 edition of the programme.
Sign up @ qrco.de/FWTSuob
"I joined UOB Singapore as a Personal Wealth Executive after graduation and benefited greatly from this structured programme. I was given the opportunity to progress from a Bancassurance Manager to a managerial position. I find great satisfaction in my job as I get to mentor other Personal Wealth Executives." JACK HUANG PERSONAL WEALTH TEAM LEAD PERSONAL FINANCE SERVICES
Personal Banker Personal Banking
As fast as 18 months
Relationship Manager Wealth Banking
As fast as 12 months
Client Advisor Privilege Banking
Senior Client Advisor Privilege Banking
What motivated you to enroll in this programme?
Hnin A Kery Personal Wealth Executive BSc Banking & Finance University of London Class of 2021
I wanted to build up my banking career and climb up the organisation’s hierarchy. This programme gave me a chance to present myself to the UOB Hiring Managers. It aided my job search as I was interviewed by the Group Sales Manager after my presentation and landed a role with UOB!
What is your biggest takeaway? It gave me a glimpse of what a wealth management role would entail and it prepared me for the role adequately. I was able to decide whether this was career path was suitable for myself. The programme equipped me with the relevant skills and knowledge for a wealth management role and I was also able to expand my professional network.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? Whilst doing some group projects, some of the group members were overseas and this caused communication problems. However, we managed to find time to discuss and prepare for the group presentation together. Although presentation isn't my strong suit, my group mates and mentors provided useful presentation tips. Well, don't forget that practice makes perfect!
How has this programme prepared you for the transition to the full-time role at UOB ? During the training sessions, I got a deeper understanding of the expectations from me. The training and advice given made me realise that this role was suitable for me as I’m someone who is constantly seeking out challenges to enhance my personal growth. Gaining industry insights and knowing the role you’re applying for is important as it prepares you for what’s coming instead of going into the job blindly.
What are some qualities that you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants? I believe my confidence during my presentations made me stand out from the rest. To provide a highquality presentation, I practiced as much as I could and prepared for a few possible questions the UOB Hiring Managers might ask. Additionally, I realised that being able to think on your feet is also quite important, as it demonstrates the huge time and effort that I put in to my preparation. It showed the hiring managers that I was serious about getting the role.
Would you recommend this programme to students who do not have a banking and finance background? Yes definitely. While some financial terms might be unfamiliar at first, there’s nothing Google can’t help you with. The mentors are very supportive as well. Rest assured, students can reach out to their mentors if they require guidance. UOB provides comprehensive training so there’s nothing to worry about! You will definitely be equipped with all the essential skills needed for the job.
ACING PRE-INTERVIEW ASSESSMENTS
By Lauren
Pre-interview assessments (also commonly known as aptitude tests) are adopted by top companies across many industries such as Google, Apple & Microsoft, KPMG and more. These tests help to differentiate top candidates from average ones and determine whether a candidate is a good fit for the role and company. Examples of some trendy aptitude tests include the numerical reasoning test, cognitive reasoning test etc. They can be very challenging if you go in with no practice. Platforms such as the Graduates First portal are put in place by Career Connect to help SIM students prepare for such tests. The Graduates First portal allow SIM students and Alumni access to over over the 70+ Industry Standard Assessments and Aptitude Tests, Video Interviews and 80+ industry insight videos. Register for free today at: https://qrco.de/SIMGRADFIRST Read on to see how you can ace these pre-interview assessments!
Be prepared Log in to Graduate First portal at the link above and start practicing for those tests
Identify areas for improvement Analyse your answers from the worked solution Read about how you can improve on your weaknesses in the analysis and practice again
Practice makes perfect Practice sample assessments multiple times to build confidence Get better at working under time pressure
Be Careful Read carefully before attempting Simulate exam conditions Minimise distractions around you as you work through the test
Join the FREE Webinar on 5 July to find out more tips about pre-hiring assessments: https://qrco.de/GFwebinar
TIPS TO EXCEL IN YOUR FIRST JOB/INTERNSHIP By Lauren
Accept Your Newbie Status Don’t resist the menial tasks. Nobody is going to trust you with a complex task until they see you perform well with a simple one. You will be able to show off your talents later, after you prove your ability to deliver.
Build Good Relationships Cultivate and maintain good relationships with people at work Take initiative when help is needed Show appreciation for colleagues work and accomplishments
Take Pride In Your Work
Improve Continuously Identify the strengths and weaknesses in your own skillset to find areas of improvement Attend courses/professional development training to improve weaknesses Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from peers and mentors
Communicate Well Good communication allows for information to be shared accurately and work to be done effectively Collaborations will be easier which can boost work performance
Respect Culture
Complete tasks before deadlines and set goals to achieve
Organizational culture is a powerful force that dictates how people in organizations operate.
Do more than what is expected to play a part in company’s overall success
You are going to have to figure out how to thrive in the existing culture.
LEARN ABOUT GRADUATE PROGRAMMES
By Tresha & Frentsen
Graduate programmes focus on developing the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective employee. The diversity of roles in the program also allows graduates to familiarise themselves with different departments and discover their strengths and passion. In this program, graduates will have the opportunity to lead projects. Graduates will also be evaluated frequently and be given industry-specific assessments. Let us find out about the graduate programmes in FDM Group and Fairprice and hear from two SIM alumni on their experiences! FDM Group is the pioneer and market leader in recruiting, training and deploying consultants in the technology industry. For over 30 years, FDM has launched tech careers of thousands of graduates, many of whom come from non-STEM degree backgrounds.
Nazreen Business Analyst BSc Economics & Management SIM - University of London Class of 2021
The FDM Academy training develops both consultant’s technical and professional skills. After the training programme, graduates are equipped and ready to step into a rewarding role as a consultant with one of FDM’s multi-national clients across a range of industries, including banking and finance, insurance and blockchain. For more information, check out https://www.fdmgroup.com/en-sg/sg-careers/
My role My role involves consolidating user requirements for platform migration and training tech users with new platform features. I also facilitate meetings with business unit to ensure an efficient use of platforms by capitalising on automation to reduce toil hours. By condensing large business unit data into informative and interactive visuals, I aid the management with decision-making. The training I received at FDM showed me the expectations from a Business Analyst/Project Management Officer. Learning best possible ways of interacting and coordinating virtually through online trainings were helpful in the current hybrid mode of work. FDM’s training and my past experiences taught me the importance of proactiveness to ensure continuous learning and growth on the job.
Challenges faced and how you overcome them? The projects and scope of work were very new to me, given that my background is completely different from my current role. So, there is definitely a steep learning curve. A good work ethic, my past experiences and FDM’s well-rounded training helped me overcome the challenges.
Competition is tough in current job market. What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants? Any tips to ace the selection process? I honed my knowledge in the latest tech developments through various club activities, networking, workshops, and panel discussions. Additionally, I armed myself with interview skills which helped me secure an interview at FDM. During the interview, I shared about my experiences. My willingness to learn and perseverance shown through and secured me the role. Be authentic and transparent with the interviewer about your goals and aspirations. Ask the interviewer questions to show your interest. If there are various stages in the selection process, you can ask if they have any tips for the next round or what they look for in an ideal candidate. Make sure to use any tips given by the organisation and ensure that you have sufficient practice before any interview.
My advice. Keep an open mind and immerse yourself in new experiences in school as it’s the best place to discover your career path. Be sure to improve your resume with your experiences by learning more about the developments in the field. If you’re still unsure but still keen in contributing to the field of tech, the programme at FDM will be a good stepping stone. FDM looks beyond one's academic qualifications. It’s a privilege to be part of their award-winning business IT programme and I strongly recommend anyone to join!
Seetoh Kian Wai Operations Executive (Marketplace) BA Sports Studies & Marketing SIM - University of Stirling Class of 2020
With over 13000 employees, Fairprice Group was established in 2019 by bringing together NTUC FairPrice, NTUC FoodFare and Kopitiam to cater to evolving consumer needs. Fairprice provides an array of products and services on Everything Food - from groceries, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat offerings, to on-premise meals & food take-aways. Fairprice's Management Associate Programme is a 21month programme, with 7 tracks available which include Retail Business, Digital Business, Food Service Business, Supply Chain Business, Digital & Technology, Finance, and Customer & Marketing. For more information, check https://www.fairpricegroup.com.sg/join-us/
My role My main job scope involves overseeing the end-to-end operational flow from the item pick up, sellers, to the respective sorting facilities before ultimately reaching the customers. My main projects involve streamlining operational processes to ensure that it can be replicated and be applied to all upcoming projects easily, as well as to ensure that everyone works together with optimal efficiency.
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Challenges faced and how you overcome them? Most if not all projects here in the Marketplace team require a high degree of cross-functional collaboration. The biggest challenge I've faced has always been getting buy-ins from my major stakeholders because I have never been a persuasive speaker. Through close collaboration with my colleagues and coach, we were able to dissect and identify the pain points of our partners and provide solutions to gain their trust and collaboration.
Competition is tough in current job market. What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the applicants? Any tips to ace the selection process? Be open to all opportunities and be confident to share your skills to contribute to the new role. Be bold and open to learning at all times!
My advice. Come with an open mind -- always be mentally ready to learn!
Tips from HR to ace your interview!
Be prepared for the interview - do some research about the role and organisation
Be punctual - avoid being late for the interview
Introduce yourself with confidence
Focus on your strengths, be aware of your weaknesses
Be enthusiastic in sharing your interests and experiences
Ask insightful questions - know what you want in your career
Follow up after the interview
LUCKY DRAW ACROSS 4. What was one of the unique facilities the SIM students visited during the AsiaPac Technology company tour? __________ solutions office 5. What kind of tests assess the performance of specific tasks and responses to different situations? 7. What kind of boss is always working even on the weekends?
DOWN 1. How did Hnin A Kery benefit from UOB's Wealth Management Role Programme ? Expand professional _______ 2.What do you call the test that assesses candidates' ability to handle numerical data? _________ reasoning test 3.. What type of bosses tend to give blunt feedback? 6. What kind of boss has the tendency to do things unconventionally?
Stand a chance to win Grab vouchers! Simply complete the crossword puzzle and e-mail your answers to careerconnect@sim.edu.sg.
8. Do not ______ menial tasks on the first few weeks of your internship 9. Which platform is the best for networking?
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