CREATING YOUR CAREER GAME PLAN
Job Hunting During Work from Home and COVID-19 Measures Many graduates are entering the working world during an economically trying time. But though many say prospects are bleak, there are still opportunities to be found.
T
he Covid-19 pandemic has hit the job economy hard. Companies have had to get creative in order to stay afloat, and many organisations were forced to experience some job losses in one way or another. But not everything is doom and gloom. While Singapore’s unemployment rate did hit a decade high, support from the government and resilience from the workforce have shown encouraging signs of boosting the job market. So don’t despair; what you can do is to gain some perspective about the job search process and manage your expectations accordingly.
Remember: Tough times don't last. Tough grads do.
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directory 2022
Research, research, research
Don’t stop (applying)
Before you start making plans about your career, research on which industries are the most resilient in tough times and find relevant jobs accordingly. Keep in mind that job satisfaction should still be a priority. Liking what you do matters more in the long run than a short-term recession, so don’t switch industries just because it offers more prospects. If you still have some doubts to clear up, ask. Speak to a career counsellor or strike up a conversation with someone who has more experience in the relevant industries to give better insight into what you should expect from the job market or a specific industry.
Even if you don’t hear back from firms you’ve applied to, keep your momentum going and continue to send out applications. It’s possible that the human resources team are either working on a hybrid office-home system, or working from home completely, and will need time to look through each application. Set a daily goal and reward yourself whenever you reach it, whether with your favourite coffee in your largest mug, or sitting down to destress with a video game. One of the most important things to remember when you’re applying for jobs is to manage your expectations of what you will actually land straight out of school. Try and keep an open mind throughout the job search process, as you never know where an unchartered path will bring you further in your career!
Start early Even without any recession going on, the job market in Singapore is generally pretty competitive for fresh grads. As such, the best course of action is to prepare ahead. Start working on your network, call up possible leads and expand your resume with relevant work experience.
Be patient Recruitment processes are long and tedious enough as they are, but add in social distancing measures, and you have a whole different ball game. Keep in mind that most company hiring processes aren’t designed to be remote and there are new logistics to be addressed.
