IT HAS been three weeks since you last saw that perfect job advertised online, and after carefully crafting your e-mail letter, attaching your resume and sending it off, you have been waiting.
And waiting.
Clicking on your inbox about 30 times a day has done nothing to ease your anxiety. All that come through are a few spam e-mail messages. And deafening silence.
Welcome to the online world of job hunting, where openings are aplenty - but where CVs more often than not get lost in a big, black, mysterious hole.
Online or 'digital' recruiting has been around for a decade, and has become increasingly popular with both employers and employees, notes recruitment firm Kelly Services.
'Online job applications in Singapore have certainly matured over the last few years with advancements in technology which make the process more efficient,' said the firm's senior vice-president for the Asia-Pacific, Mr Dhirendra Shantilal.
The use of social media networking sites for online job searches and recruitment has been on the rise, especially because of their growing popularity among the Generation Y group, he added.
Blogging and search engine marketing are now increasingly used by organisations and employers to search for talent.
But as the Internet opens up possibilities to anyone who has a computer, it has also made competition more intense.
Not to mention that amid Singapore's worst recession, more people are trawling the Internet to look for work on top of going to job fairs.
Some 12,400 jobs were lost in the second quarter in Singapore, double the number in the first quarter, government data showed recently.
But while the Internet has made it easier to look for jobs, it is not without pitfalls.
Recruiters or employers must be aware of how their online content - especially those generated on social media sites - can affect the perception of their employer brand, said Mr Shantilal.
Hence, employers should put emphasis on building and protecting their reputation and the credibility of their content - both online and offline.
Job seekers also need to do their homework and verify the legitimacy of a company or recruiter before completing an online application.
At the same time, they should also manage their personal information on social sites with care, especially if it has the potential to jeopardise their employability, said Mr Shantilal.
And hunting for a position online might not be the best way to get a job, said recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.
Employers who post a job vacancy online are not likely to get candidates who fit the opportunity, said the firm's Singapore's sales and marketing division consultant, Mr Mark Melo.
There are no tools to filter out irrelevant profiles, and in a market overflowing with candidates and talent, people will continue to send their CVs on these portals. This creates a lot more work for human resources teams as sifting through all the applications can be very time-consuming, he said.
So how do employers best use the Internet to their advantage?
Mr Melo feels they should post only online job vacancies at the junior level. 'You are still going to get the volume but at middle to senior levels, candidates are much more sensitive to having their CVs floating around in cyberspace,' he said.
Posting senior jobs on a mass platform means you are likely to receive good response, but more irrelevant CVs.
For job seekers: Be selective, said Mr Melo. 'It's not a volume game, so avoid sending your CVs to multiple companies and hope that one of them will pick it up.'
He suggested that job hunters focus on the roles that are relevant to their experience and skills set and tailor their CVs to highlight the areas which the company has emphasised as a critical part of the role.
The format of the CV is very important. It is essential to highlight one's biggest strengths and ensure that this section stands out.
'If an employer has to sift through your CV to find this information, chances are they will move on to the next candidate,' said Mr Melo.
One tip: Facts and figures are sharp and powerful - and can help paint a very tangible picture of your abilities.
This usually relates more to sales roles, but even outside such roles, you can try to be factual and give statistical examples of achievements.
Telling someone that you are an enthusiastic individual can be very subjective and is something you display during an interview, not on a CV, Mr Melo advised.
- The Straits Times
Aug 6, 2009
Aug 5, 2009
Help for laid-off Seagate workers
THE 2,000 workers who will be laid off by hard-disk maker Seagate, which is shutting down its Ang Mo Kio plant next year, will get help from the Manpower Ministry, the union and their employer.
Some workers will get to explore redeployment within the company, others will be provided opportunities to retrain for new skills so they can be re-employed in other sectors.
Giving this assurance yesterday, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong told reporters: "This Seagate announcement is also a stark reminder to all of us that the economic challenges are still there. We must not be prematurely optimistic."
The affected workers, however, need not be disheartened as there are still 25,000 jobs available in the market.
Declining to say whether there would be a possible second wave of retrenchments in Singapore, Mr Gan nonetheless stressed the growing importance of helping workers tap the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur).
Seven months since the scheme began, more have taken advantage of it. As at end-July, 159,000 workers and 2,200 companies have committed to Spur, revealed Mr Gan.
He was speaking at the National Day Observance ceremony organised by the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees Union and ST Aerospace - which, Mr Gan noted, as of last month had sent some 1,012 professionals, managers, executives and technicians and 74 non-PMETs for Spur training.
"We will not be able to avoid retrenchment altogether," said Mr Gan. "We will not be able to avoid companies restructuring altogether. But we want to minimise the number of people affected, keep as many jobs as possible in Singapore by keeping the companies competitive and helping them cut costs."
- Channel News Asia
Some workers will get to explore redeployment within the company, others will be provided opportunities to retrain for new skills so they can be re-employed in other sectors.
Giving this assurance yesterday, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong told reporters: "This Seagate announcement is also a stark reminder to all of us that the economic challenges are still there. We must not be prematurely optimistic."
The affected workers, however, need not be disheartened as there are still 25,000 jobs available in the market.
Declining to say whether there would be a possible second wave of retrenchments in Singapore, Mr Gan nonetheless stressed the growing importance of helping workers tap the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur).
Seven months since the scheme began, more have taken advantage of it. As at end-July, 159,000 workers and 2,200 companies have committed to Spur, revealed Mr Gan.
He was speaking at the National Day Observance ceremony organised by the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees Union and ST Aerospace - which, Mr Gan noted, as of last month had sent some 1,012 professionals, managers, executives and technicians and 74 non-PMETs for Spur training.
"We will not be able to avoid retrenchment altogether," said Mr Gan. "We will not be able to avoid companies restructuring altogether. But we want to minimise the number of people affected, keep as many jobs as possible in Singapore by keeping the companies competitive and helping them cut costs."
- Channel News Asia
'A reality check'
SEAGATE'S decision to lay off 2,000 workers at its hard-disk plant is a stark reminder to Singaporeans that 'we must not be prematurely optimistic' about an economic recovery, said Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong on Wednesday.
But at the same time, Singaporeans need not be disheartened by the news, he added, pointing to 25,000 job openings yet to be filled and the hiring blitz by the two integrated resorts in the coming months.
Mr Gan's comments come 24 hours after the American multinational announced that 2,000 workers will be retrenched by the end of next year when its Ang Mo Kio plant is closed.
Its decision shows there are still economic challenges to be tackled despite some signs of recovery, the minister told reporters after a ceremony at Singapore Technologies Aerospace to mark National Day, which falls on Sunday.
Latest official figures show that the economy expanded for the first time in a year when it grew by 20.4 per cent in the second quarter over the previous quarter.
The improvement led the Government to raise its growth forecast this year from a contraction of 6 per cent to 9 per cent, to a contraction of 4 per cent to 6 per cent.
But Mr Gan warned against being blinded by the new ray of hope.
'It's important for us to continue to work together, for the Government, employers, unions and workers to press on with the various measures that have been put in place.'
Among them are the Jobs Credit wage subsidy scheme and the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur), which subsidises training.
The Seagate announcement came amid repeated warnings from the labour movement about a possible second wave of retrenchments later this year.
- The Straits Times
But at the same time, Singaporeans need not be disheartened by the news, he added, pointing to 25,000 job openings yet to be filled and the hiring blitz by the two integrated resorts in the coming months.
Mr Gan's comments come 24 hours after the American multinational announced that 2,000 workers will be retrenched by the end of next year when its Ang Mo Kio plant is closed.
Its decision shows there are still economic challenges to be tackled despite some signs of recovery, the minister told reporters after a ceremony at Singapore Technologies Aerospace to mark National Day, which falls on Sunday.
Latest official figures show that the economy expanded for the first time in a year when it grew by 20.4 per cent in the second quarter over the previous quarter.
The improvement led the Government to raise its growth forecast this year from a contraction of 6 per cent to 9 per cent, to a contraction of 4 per cent to 6 per cent.
But Mr Gan warned against being blinded by the new ray of hope.
'It's important for us to continue to work together, for the Government, employers, unions and workers to press on with the various measures that have been put in place.'
Among them are the Jobs Credit wage subsidy scheme and the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur), which subsidises training.
The Seagate announcement came amid repeated warnings from the labour movement about a possible second wave of retrenchments later this year.
- The Straits Times
Aug 4, 2009
Factories to hire again
RISES in unemployment could slow over the coming months with new data showing that Singapore factory owners have begun to hire again.
The monthly purchasing managers' index (PMI) published on Tuesday indicated that employment expanded for the first time in 19 months during July. Last month's employment index was 50.2, compared to 48.1 in June and 48.5 in May.
A reading above 50 indicates that employers are hiring, while one below suggests they are firing.
But economists warned that there could still be more job losses as Singapore approaches the end of the year, with Seagate's closure of its Ang Mo Kio hard disk plant with the shedding of 2,000 jobs a case in point.
The index highlighted that factory output continued to recover with the overall PMI expanding for the third straight month to 51.5.
The 0.4 point improvement over June was due to a rise in new orders from home and abroad.
PMI's latest forward-looking reading, which is based on a survey of purchasing executives at 150 companies conducted by the Singapore Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (SIPMM), is in line with similar findings in the US and China.
In the US, the index approached 50 after rising to 48.9 last month, while China's July reading of 53.3 continued to show growth in factory activity for the fifth straight month.
'It appears that the manufacturing economy has bottomed out... and is now heading towards a possible recovery,' said Ms Janice Ong, executive director at SIPMM.
Electronics employment was boosted for the first time since June 2008 as the sector saw its July rate of expansion hit 55. This key sector employed 91,645 here last year, or about 22 per cent of all manufacturing jobs.
- The Straits Times
The monthly purchasing managers' index (PMI) published on Tuesday indicated that employment expanded for the first time in 19 months during July. Last month's employment index was 50.2, compared to 48.1 in June and 48.5 in May.
A reading above 50 indicates that employers are hiring, while one below suggests they are firing.
But economists warned that there could still be more job losses as Singapore approaches the end of the year, with Seagate's closure of its Ang Mo Kio hard disk plant with the shedding of 2,000 jobs a case in point.
The index highlighted that factory output continued to recover with the overall PMI expanding for the third straight month to 51.5.
The 0.4 point improvement over June was due to a rise in new orders from home and abroad.
PMI's latest forward-looking reading, which is based on a survey of purchasing executives at 150 companies conducted by the Singapore Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (SIPMM), is in line with similar findings in the US and China.
In the US, the index approached 50 after rising to 48.9 last month, while China's July reading of 53.3 continued to show growth in factory activity for the fifth straight month.
'It appears that the manufacturing economy has bottomed out... and is now heading towards a possible recovery,' said Ms Janice Ong, executive director at SIPMM.
Electronics employment was boosted for the first time since June 2008 as the sector saw its July rate of expansion hit 55. This key sector employed 91,645 here last year, or about 22 per cent of all manufacturing jobs.
- The Straits Times
Seagate to shut Singapore plant
US-based Seagate Technology said Tuesday it will close its hard-disk drive manufacturing plant in Singapore by the end of next year and lay off about half of its 4,000 workers.
The firm said in a statement it plans to move production to existing sites in other countries to cut costs.
"This consolidation is necessary in order for Seagate to further increase efficiency and reduce costs by leveraging investments across fewer manufacturing sites," the statement said.
The company said it is looking at moving some employees from the hard disk plant to other Singapore operations, while those who are laid off "will be offered severance benefits, in keeping with company policy."
Despite the closure of the hard disk plant, Seagate said its product development and design centre and recording media plant will remain in Singapore.
The two facilities employ more than 5,300 workers, according to the company website.
"Singapore will remain a key strategic partner for Seagate, with focus on high-value activities, and Seagate will continue to make strategic investments here," the statement said.
Last month, Seagate reported a loss of US$81 million ($117 million) for the fourth quarter and a full-year loss of US$3.1 billion ($4.45 billion).
"While there are signs of improved visibility, the ongoing uncertainty in global economic conditions makes it difficult to predict product demand and other related matters," the firm said in its business outlook.
- AFP
The firm said in a statement it plans to move production to existing sites in other countries to cut costs.
"This consolidation is necessary in order for Seagate to further increase efficiency and reduce costs by leveraging investments across fewer manufacturing sites," the statement said.
The company said it is looking at moving some employees from the hard disk plant to other Singapore operations, while those who are laid off "will be offered severance benefits, in keeping with company policy."
Despite the closure of the hard disk plant, Seagate said its product development and design centre and recording media plant will remain in Singapore.
The two facilities employ more than 5,300 workers, according to the company website.
"Singapore will remain a key strategic partner for Seagate, with focus on high-value activities, and Seagate will continue to make strategic investments here," the statement said.
Last month, Seagate reported a loss of US$81 million ($117 million) for the fourth quarter and a full-year loss of US$3.1 billion ($4.45 billion).
"While there are signs of improved visibility, the ongoing uncertainty in global economic conditions makes it difficult to predict product demand and other related matters," the firm said in its business outlook.
- AFP
Aug 3, 2009
7,800 mostly-local applications for casino jobs
ALMOST 8,000 people applied for the 1,000 vacancies in Marina Bay Sands' casino after a two-day job fair at Suntec City over the weekend.
The response surpassed expectations, just days after the company cited difficulties filling positions to man its gaming tables.
"Over 14,000 people visited our dealer recruitment fair over the weekend. We are very happy and encouraged by the response. Out of this group, we received 7,800 applicants, of which the majority are locals," said the company in a statement.
It added: "We will focus on these local applicants to fill the remaining dealer positions."
To help explain the games in the casinos to those unfamiliar with the industry, the resort flew in pit managers from its Macau operations for the job fair.
And so far, the effort seems to have been successful.
It said it plans to roll out other recruitment activities in the coming months to attract Singaporeans to work in the integrated resort.
- TODAY newspaper
The response surpassed expectations, just days after the company cited difficulties filling positions to man its gaming tables.
"Over 14,000 people visited our dealer recruitment fair over the weekend. We are very happy and encouraged by the response. Out of this group, we received 7,800 applicants, of which the majority are locals," said the company in a statement.
It added: "We will focus on these local applicants to fill the remaining dealer positions."
To help explain the games in the casinos to those unfamiliar with the industry, the resort flew in pit managers from its Macau operations for the job fair.
And so far, the effort seems to have been successful.
It said it plans to roll out other recruitment activities in the coming months to attract Singaporeans to work in the integrated resort.
- TODAY newspaper
Portal on hiring older workers
SMALL businesses have been slow to introduce policies to re-employ their older workers.
To hasten the pace, a web portal has been set up by the National Trades Union Congress and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.
The portal (www.preparecommunity.com) was launched on Monday.
It shows the steps small businesses can take to get ready in time for the re-employment laws Singapore will introduce by January 2012.
The laws will require employers to rehire their workers when they reach 62. The acceptable terms of re-employment, such as wages and other benefits, are still being worked out.
Unionised companies, however, appear better prepared.
There are around 1,000 of these companies, big and small, and about 70 per cent have made a commitment to implement a system to re-employ older workers.
This was disclosed by NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How at a National Day observance ceremony today.
But when all businesses here are included, the proportion is dismal.
There are more than 100,000 businesses in Singapore but only 1 per cent have made a commitment to introducing re-employment policies in their companies.
ASME president Lawrence Leow said many SMEs, which make up the majority of businesses in Singapore, may be more focused on tackling the fall-out from the global economic downturn than with getting ready for re-employment.
- The Straits Times
To hasten the pace, a web portal has been set up by the National Trades Union Congress and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.
The portal (www.preparecommunity.com) was launched on Monday.
It shows the steps small businesses can take to get ready in time for the re-employment laws Singapore will introduce by January 2012.
The laws will require employers to rehire their workers when they reach 62. The acceptable terms of re-employment, such as wages and other benefits, are still being worked out.
Unionised companies, however, appear better prepared.
There are around 1,000 of these companies, big and small, and about 70 per cent have made a commitment to implement a system to re-employ older workers.
This was disclosed by NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How at a National Day observance ceremony today.
But when all businesses here are included, the proportion is dismal.
There are more than 100,000 businesses in Singapore but only 1 per cent have made a commitment to introducing re-employment policies in their companies.
ASME president Lawrence Leow said many SMEs, which make up the majority of businesses in Singapore, may be more focused on tackling the fall-out from the global economic downturn than with getting ready for re-employment.
- The Straits Times
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