[Updated: 7 June 2021]
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives significantly. Besides safe distancing measures and the new normal, it has also affected many people, causing them to lose their jobs. As Singapore rides through the economic impact of the pandemic, the job market is continuously changing, which means that it’s important for you to seek knowledge and learn new skills. If you've lost your job during the pandemic or looking for ways to upgrade yourself to remain employable, here are 5 resources that’ll help you find a job in Singapore!
1. Use the Cari Kerja app to find jobs that suit you
If you’re in the midst of finding a job, it might be tough sometimes and you might feel disheartened. To help you find jobs in a smarter and more effective way, the Cari Kerja app is perfect for that. You’ll get to explore a list of jobs and find out the range of salaries beforehand. What’s great is that you can customise your location if you want a job that’s nearer to home. For those who don’t have a resume, you can also build your CV within the app and start applying for jobs immediately.
2. Sign up for career fairs
Credit: MENDAKI SENSE on Facebook
For those of you who are less tech-savvy and need more guidance when applying for jobs, you can come on down for the career fairs instead. One of the career fairs available for job-seekers is the JUMP Career Fair by MENDAKI SENSE. Held at various community centres across Singapore, you’ll get to attend on-site and virtual job interviews with employers in various industries like food & beverages, healthcare and more. With over 100 job vacancies at each career fair, you might just find something that suits you!
3. Get career guidance from a professional advisor
Credit: MENDAKI SENSE on Facebook
When looking for a job, it helps to get some career guidance from a professional advisor. With community programmes like the ACE IT! Career Advisory by MENDAKI SENSE, job seekers are able to get step-by-step guidance to chart their career pathway. The career advisors will also help you find training programmes or link you up with job opportunities that are in line with your career interests. They can also help you leverage your transferable skills and gain access to opportunities in the growth industries such as healthcare, digital marketing and logistics.
4. Learn a new skill to advance your career
Credit: MENDAKI SENSE
One thing that you can do to remain employable during this period is to upskill yourself. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a wide range of community and national initiatives have been launched to help job seekers. Plus, they can be subsidised using your SkillsFuture credits. The Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) is perfect for mid-career PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) so you can undergo skills conversion and apply for a job in a new industry. There are 3 ways that you can join the PCP:
- Place-and-Train: You’ll be hired by an employer before undergoing training for the job
- Attach-and-Train: You’ll undergo training and work attachment with industry partners before landing a job in sectors with good future prospects
- Redeployment: You’re at risk of losing your job as your company is undergoing business transformation. Hence, you’ll undergo training to take on new roles in the same company.
With the changing economy and job landscape, it’s important to remain adaptable and agile. MENDAKI SENSE’s #JUMP initiative sums it up perfectly as these programmes will help you acquire Job Opportunities, Upskilling, Mobility and Professional Development (JUMP). So, don’t be afraid to #JUMP into another industry which you might be unfamiliar with!
5. Check out SGUnited Jobs for a range of job opportunities and programmes
(An SGUnited Traineeship Programme participant gives a presentation on the history of MENDAKI to CHIJ St Theresa students visiting the MENDAKI HQ.) Credit: Yayasan MENDAKI
For a comprehensive suite of programmes and services for those affected by COVID-19, the SGUnited Jobs package is just what you need. From growing your skill sets to job opportunities, virtual workshops, career guidance and more, SGUnited Jobs is a much-needed initiative during these trying times. There are also various programmes for different types of job seekers. For instance, the SGUnited Traineeship Programme supports those who have recently graduated or soon-to-be graduates. They’ll be able to gain some valuable experience and get a foothold in the job market.
With these 5 resources, your job search in this current job climate will be a more hopeful one. Instead of just using a job search portal, you can also sign up for career fairs, take part in upskilling programmes and more. If you’ve lost your job due to the pandemic or know someone who did, be sure to share this article with them!
This article is brought to you by MENDAKI SENSE.