AMTD PolicyPal Reach your full potential in your career growth with our strategic guide with five essential steps to turn your aspirations into reality.
Whether you are charting a new career path, aiming for a promotion, or contemplating a shift in your professional trajectory, the beginning of the year marks the right moment to set the wheels in motion. It takes a plan and steps towards action to kick-start your career goals.
This article unveils a roadmap designed to propel you toward realising your career aspirations.
Related Story: Making a Career Switch? These Are the Most Lucrative Industries to Be In 2024 and Beyond
#1 Self-reflection and goal-setting
The first checkpoint involves introspection and strategic goal setting – a compass to guide you through the professional realm.
A. Assess your current skills, interests, and strengths
Take stock of your skills, passions, and what makes you stand out in the Singapore workforce. Consider the technical skills you’ve mastered and the soft skills that set you apart. Knowing your strengths and interests can be the key to unlocking doors in your professional journey.
B. Define clear and realistic career goals
Success is often the result of well-defined and achievable goals. Outline what you want to achieve by the end of the year like a promotion or mastering a new skill. Make these goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This ensures your aspirations are actionable targets that propel you forward in the competitive job market.
C. Align your career goals with your values
Take a moment to reflect on what matters most to you – whether it’s work-life balance or continuous learning. Aligning your personal values with your career aspirations fuels your motivation and enhances your overall job satisfaction.
Related Story: How to Put Your Salary Increment to Good Use
#2 Elevating your professional arsenal: skills development and education
Staying ahead of the curve means honing your skills and adding powerful tools to your professional toolkit. The next steps will ensure that you’re ahead.
A. Identify the skills required for your career path
Singapore’s diverse job landscape demands a keen awareness of the skills essential to your chosen career path. What are the industry trends? Which skills are indispensable?. Whether it’s digital proficiency, leadership acumen, or niche expertise, knowing the skills in demand is your ticket to staying relevant and sought-after.
B. Explore relevant educational opportunities and certifications
Explore educational opportunities and certifications that align with the skills you’ve identified. Whether it’s enrolling in workshops, pursuing online courses, or obtaining industry-recognised certifications, each step adds a valuable layer to your professional credibility.
Related Story: Best education loans in Singapore
C. Invest time and resources in continuous learning
Continuous learning is essential for success. Stay updated with industry trends, tech advancements, and best practices by attending workshops, webinars, and industry events to network and gain insights from experts. Expanding your knowledge demonstrates adaptability and forward-thinking, valued qualities in the ever-evolving professional landscape.
Here are a few initiatives by the Singapore government for upskilling and building your career:
SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP)
This upskilling scheme aims to help mid-career employees obtain industry-specific skills that increase their employability chances to switch to different sectors or job roles.
Programs range from three to 12 months and are open to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents seeking to switch to a new industry or job.
Workfare Skills Support (WSS)
This upskilling scheme gives cash incentives and training allowances to lower-wage Singaporean workers, aiming to help them upskill themselves. Benefits include a training allowance of S$6 per training hour completed for self-sponsored trainees and a training commitment award for up to S$500 for completing the relevant certifications.
Certain conditions for eligibility apply.
SkillsFuture Credit Programme
SkillsFuture Credit aims to get individuals to kick-start their skills development and learning pathway and offers Singaporeans aged 25 years and above an opening credit of S$500 (as of 31 December 2020).
This credit can be used to pay for several skill-related courses, including online courses from the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) institutions.
Career GRIT
This initiative from Workforce Singapore helps you find career-building resources that suit your profile so you can reach your full potential. Career GRIT provides seminars, workshops, podcasts, micro-learning courses, and more.
Related Story: How to Put Your Salary Increment to Good Use
#3 Connecting the dots by networking and building professional relationships
Success isn’t just about what you know; it’s about who you know and how effectively you can leverage those connections. Navigate the career ecosystem with finesse by practising these essential steps to create a robust network you can rely on.
A. Establish a strong professional network
You should identify key players in your industry and engage with them. Attend industry-specific meetups, connect with colleagues, and foster relationships with mentors. Professional circles thrive on collaboration, and a well-established network can be the catalyst for career opportunities you never saw coming.
B. Utilise social media platforms for professional connections
Your online presence matters just as much as offline. Join relevant groups, participate in discussions, and leverage platforms like Linkedin to position yourself as a thought leader. Your online network can reinforce your professional persona.
C. Attend industry events and networking gatherings
Whether it’s a conference, workshop, or casual meetup, events provide invaluable opportunities to expand your network. Engage in conversations, exchange ideas, and be genuinely interested in others’ experiences.
#4 Gaining practical experience
In the job market, theory meets reality, and practical experience becomes the trump card in your career deck. Dive into actionable steps that turn your resume into a testament of hands-on prowess.
A. Seek internships, freelance opportunities, or volunteer work
The pathway to professional growth often meanders through internships, freelance gigs, or volunteering. Especially if you’re a fresh graduate, it’s crucial to actively seek out opportunities to get your hands involved in real-world projects. Whether it’s a stint at a startup, a freelance project, or giving back through volunteer work, each experience adds a layer of practical knowledge.
B. Showcase relevant projects and accomplishments
Whether it’s a successful project, a freelance assignment, or a volunteer initiative, highlight the skills you’ve honed and your impact. Tangible results speak louder than words, and your portfolio is your silent advocate.
C. Emphasise the importance of hands-on experience in career growth
Hands-on experience isn’t just a bonus; it’s a prerequisite for climbing the career ladder. Highlight the lessons learned, challenges overcome, and how hands-on experiences have shaped your professional journey to spotlight your potential and performance.
Related Story: Five Salary Negotiation Tips for Your New Job
#5 The power of adaptability and resilience
Let’s explore the attributes of adaptability and resilience which can help you weather any storm.
A. Acknowledge the possibility of setbacks and challenges
Recognise that not every path will be smooth. Whether it’s a project that didn’t go as planned or a job application that didn’t pan out, understanding that setbacks are temporary roadblocks rather than dead ends is vital to developing perseverance.
B. Develop a mindset of adaptability and resilience
In a world that thrives on innovation and progress, developing a mindset of adaptability and resilience is a secret weapon. Cultivate a mindset that is open to learning, quick to adjust, and resilient in the face of challenges.
C. Learn from failures and use them as stepping stones to success
Learning from failures is crucial to personal and professional development. Reflect on setbacks, analyse what went wrong, and use those insights to refine your approach. Your ability to bounce back from setbacks defines your character and sets the stage for future successes.
Financial literacy: Investing and saving for a secure future
Financial literacy is crucial as it empowers you to make informed decisions about your money. As you grow your savings, you’ll notice that understanding the concepts of investments and savings is vital.
Whether it’s investing in stocks, real estate, or retirement plans, the ability to make investment choices wisely using financial knowledge can lead to long-term financial stability and growth.
Begin or upgrade your investing journey with our roundup of the best online brokerages and roboadvisors.
Related Story: 5 Considerations Before Investing in International Real Estate
Achieving your career aspirations is within reach with a strategic approach. The five steps we’ve discussed serve as a comprehensive guide for navigating the dynamic job market.
As you reflect on your professional journey, take proactive steps towards your goals, understand that setbacks are part of the process, and learning from them is key to growth.
Seize the opportunities, embrace challenges, and let this be a year of achievements in your career path.
Enquire more and contact us today!
Want to know more about AMTD PolicyPal Group insurance plans?
Cannot find what you are looking for? Please reach out to us at Contact AMTD PolicyPal
Read More:
5 Fun Side Gigs to Supplement Your Day Job Income
5 Financial Lessons Regular Investors Can Learn From The Goldfinger
4 Interpersonal Skills You Must Develop If You Want a Promotion
Should You Consider Accepting a Job You’re Overqualified For?
Best Robo Advisors in Singapore 2024
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation or endorsement by AMTD PolicyPal Group in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Under AMTD Digital, AMTD PolicyPal Group consists of PolicyPal Pte. Ltd., Baoxianbaobao Pte. Ltd., PolicyPal Tech Pte. Ltd., and ValueChampion.
