We Answer 5 Common Career Questions You May Have

What are some things to consider when applying for my first job?

Finding your first job can be hard when there are many companies looking for candidates with prior experience. To determine which jobs suit you, you need to first know yourself better. You can do this by finding out your Values, Interests, Personality Traits, and Skills (VIPS), with regards to your career.

Some questions to ask yourself include,

• What activities or tasks motivate you?

• What are your strengths?

• What do you want to achieve?

• Is there something you hope to learn more about?

• What are some of the resources, options, or plans that you've tried?

• What is your career goal?

• What do you care about in a job?

Once you know your VIPS better, you'll be better equipped to identify the jobs that match your capabilities and experiences through resources, such as industry analysis and employer-needs assessment.

The next step will be to get your CV noticed. To do so, showcase your strengths clearly on your resume and remember to customised every application you submit.

How can I as an undergraduate increase my chances of getting a job?

You need to showcase qualities that will make you stand out from other candidates. While still in school, it's definitely advantageous to seize internships, volunteering opportunities and part-time positions to gain experience and knowledge. This also helps you to begin establishing connections and build your network, in order to expand your reach in the job market. If possible, seek out opportunities to be mentored by experienced professionals in the sector you wish to enter.

What should I do to keep my career on track?

Pursuing a career is like running a marathon. Like how you'll determine if you're fit enough to compete, do an annual skills "health check" to evaluate if your career skillsets are relevant to the job market. Regularly ask yourself what the current workplace advancements are and how you can get up-to-date on these changes.

What should I do to remain relevant in my job?

It may sound cliche, but the truth is, never put all your eggs in one basket. Consider moving horizontally within your company to different departments. This would help to expand your knowledge and skillsets. By doing so, you will acquire skills that will useful in making you more adaptable to changes, which will in turn enhance your value in the job market.

Is there a timeline as to when I need to switch careers by?

It is never too late to make a career transition, whether in your 30s, 40s or 50s. But there are steps you can take to make the process easier.

First, make a checklist of the transferable skills you can possibly take to a new career. These include both hard and soft skills, such as negotiation, project management, organisational, administrative, research and planning.

Next, identify the skills you need in the job or sector you wish to go into. Once you've done that, you can then discover which are the ones you may be lacking in your portfolio. Find ways to upgrade yourself, upskill or reskill, so that you will be in a better position to make a smoother career switch.

If you're looking for more career advice, visit MyCareersFuture for articles to help you on your career journey.

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