According to a job market analysis in Singapore, resident unemployment rates have increased from 2.6% in March 2023 to 2.8% in September 2023, while retrenchment cases surged to 4,110 in the third quarter of 2023, up from 2,990 at the end of 2022.

In such a competitive labour market and dynamic business environment, remaining relevant to stay employed or to secure a job requires some strategy, and crafting a career development plan can be helpful. Below, we’ll share some tips to get you started.

What Is Career Development?

Career development is a process where you outline the steps you should take over time to achieve your professional goals. It is helpful in enhancing your personal brand and increasing your chances of landing a position and/or staying in one. Here’s what you can do:

 

1. Understand Singapore’s Job Market

Singapore is a global business hub with a highly competitive workforce. As we attract more multinational corporations to set up bases here, our job market will only continue to evolve and wait for no one. Knowing which industries thrive here and what skill sets you should pick up can greatly help you to grow and increase your employment opportunities.

According to a study conducted by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), skills within the Business Management, Data Management, and Production Management clusters were in high demand in 2022. They include:

Business Management	Data Management	Production Management
Documentation Stakeholder management Audit and Compliance Quality Assurance Business opportunities development	Programming and coding Big data analytics Applications development Engineering problem solving Automation research and implementation	Quality assurance Continuous improvement management Electrical fundamentals application Mechanical engineering management Civil and structural engineering management

Apart from these skills, employers are also looking for candidates who are proficient in certain applications and tools. The top 5 are:

• • • Microsoft Excel
    • Python
    • Microsoft PowerPoint
    • Java
    • SQL

Thinking about upskilling yourself but have no idea where to start? Perhaps this list can serve as a good guide. Learning these applications and skills listed above may give you a competitive edge!

2. Network and Build Professional Relationships

Although a small nation, Singapore’s job market is relatively interconnected, making professional networking rather important. Your success may sometimes depend not only on what you know and can provide to the company, but also on who you’re acquainted with. Having strong connections may present you with more opportunities and increase your visibility within the industry.

When you’re networking with others, you’re building your own phone book of individuals you can learn from. Whether they are peers, well-known experts, or even fresh graduates new to the scene, they may offer knowledge and diverse experiences that give you different perspectives and innovative ideas you may have never thought of. In this process, you might even find a career mentor who can guide you through navigating challenges and making informed decisions to accelerate your growth.

Moreover, actively participating in business events helps you build credibility and establish yourself as an authority in your field. This can lead to more career opportunities and professional recognition.

But that’s not all. Apart from face-to-face networking, a prominent personal branding on LinkedIn is also beneficial today. It is where you can easily take charge of your narrative, reach out to numerous individuals, and showcase yourself to potential employers. All you need to do is create industry-relevant content that will add value to others and engage with people meaningfully.

Learn More: Grow Your Professional Network With Relationship Building Skills

3. Craft a Compelling Resume

Your resume is the tool used to showcase yourself to potential employers, and it is where you can detail your skills to convince companies to hire you. A well-written resume can do wonders and help you stand out from your competitors.

An important element to include is how your relevant skills and experience align with local industry trends. It tells your prospective employer that you have what it takes to help the company scale and grow with the times. For example, some in-demand skills, such as possessing the know-how on the Python programming language, were not listed within the top 10 in past years. However, they are increasingly being sought after because of their relevance to today’s digital landscape. Highlighting your knowledge in the Python programming language can put you at an advantage.

If you’re looking for resume writing tips that will increase your employability in the local job market, check out our resume writing and interview skills workshop!

4. Leverage Government Schemes and Programmes

The Singapore government promotes a culture of lifelong learning and has introduced numerous initiatives and career development programmes aimed at helping locals remain competitive in the job market. From mid-career courses that teach you soft skills to training curricula that equips you with highly-sought-after hard skills, there are numerous opportunities one can grab onto for career development. Various grants, subsidies, and incentives are also available to individuals participating in approved training programmes. For instance, the SkillsFuture credits and subsidies for WSQ courses can offset your upskilling expenses.

Crafting a Career Development Plan

Step 1: Self-Assessment

Ask yourself what motivates you and what you enjoy doing. List down your strengths and weaknesses or get the people around you to share their views about your abilities.

Step 2: Research and Explore

Find out what your possible career paths are and the qualifications and skills required for your desired roles. Also, visit career fairs to speak to those already working in the industry, they may have valuable insights you can’t find on the internet.

Step 3: Set Clear Objectives

Define your short-term and long-term goals and break them down into achievable milestones. Ensure they are SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Step 4: Identify Development Areas

After you’ve identified the skills you need and your objectives, assess your current abilities and find out if there are any skill gaps. You may also consider building up your soft skills.

Step 5: Create Actionable Steps

With an understanding of what you’re lacking, you can look for courses and workshops, plan for projects, or take on new responsibilities to enhance your skills. Note down what you need to do and build a timeline to achieve them.

Step 6: Monitor and Evaluate Progress

Take action(s) to complete your milestones and assess your progress regularly. Adjust your goals as you go along if necessary.

Career development doesn’t just help you build up yourself and improve your employability, it can also help increase job satisfaction, give you a purpose, and deliver a sense of fulfilment. If you’re keen on crafting a career development plan to improve yourself, e2i has all the resources you need. Visit our website to access them!