Profile of a Trainer: Ernest Chen

The year was 1993. It was a PAP Convention, and the theme was globalization. There were four speakers and Ernest Chen, author of Earnestly Speaking, was one of them.

“Speaking in front of our Minister Mentor, Senior Minister, Prime Minister and a line up of all the top brass ministers was no mean feat. I was nervous, but managed to contain the fear.  After the talk, I told myself: I have done it. Yes, that was a challenge and I took it,” he said. This statement defines perfectly the life of Ernest Chen. No challenge is too great for this Trainer in professional speaking.  

So how did it all begin? It started when someone asked him to conduct a course on how to market products and services through the International Trade Show. The Trade Development Board was expanding its presence overseas and organizing many trade shows, but the exhibitors had no idea how to promote their products and services effectively. “The Education Director requested that I conduct the course. After all, I had been in the exhibition business for 12 years. I knew the subject well enough to train these business men and executive yearning to go overseas. I conducted the course two to three times a year from 1993 to 2001,” he said.

His future plans include building a community of passionate speakers of Asian origin. On what sets him apart from the rest, he says this: “I have a wealth of knowledge and can debate with anyone in various subjects . I read a lot and take a keen interest of world affair and politics. I won many prizes in current affair and general knowledge contests.No one can be Ernest Chen. I am unique.”

How did you prepare for this profession?

I was a toastmaster since 1983 and have always had a flair for speaking. Occasionally I trained speakers in toastmasters. Besides, that I attended many training classes to upgraded my skills.

Are there any downsides to the job?

A job is a job. Upside or downside, it doesn’t matter. There are always plenty of things to do.  It depends how you want to be: busy or not busy. Or enough is enough.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do the same thing?

Be passionate at what you are doing. Be excited at what you do.

What is the industry of your profession like in Singapore?

Singapore is a small country and everything is competitive. Training is about sharing your knowledge with someone and makes him better than you. Integrity is important. Wisdom comes with age

 You can have a look at the rest of our Career Stories at http://careerminded.com/career_tip_s.php?id=0

Profile of a Dancer: Nidhi Banthia Mehta

Nidhi Banthia Mehta was comfortable with her regular work hours and corporate environment life in the United States. So it comes as a surprise to learn that she’s now the proud owner of a Bollywood Dance Instruction School, BollyBeatz.

“It was all by chance and accident!” she says. “Dance was always a passion since school days. But as most of us, I completed my MBA and got a job with McKinsey. It’s only after I got married did I quit my job and then dance happened to me. It was not planned or even a remote thought in my mind.” 

Her training to be a dance instructor involved enrolling in Shiamak Davar's Institute for the Performing Arts (SDIPA) and also various courses to learn different dance styles such as salsa, Jazz and Hip Hop. She had also gone through numerous classical Indian courses as a child.   

Never underestimate her passion for her craft. Even a 100 degree Fahrenheit fever did not stop her from giving a class once. “There are times I have danced with a muscle pull and once the music comes I get so carried away that I forget the pain and dance and of course after the class I am dying in pain!” 

Looking to the future, she plans to introduce various other forms of dance fitness modules.  She wants to provide people with the opportunity she had as well, by starting partnerships and opening franchises in various other cities to empower others who love to dance and enjoy teaching. “I want to allow them to do and create something big with their passion,” she says.  

What were the biggest challenges you had to face?

I am fortunate that things worked out very smoothly for me. But the challenge usually is to keep challenging your own creativity and try and get better. Also its a challenge to find and train good dedicated instructors. 

Are there any downsides to the job?

It’s a test of your physical strength . So you have to be fit, dedicated, creative and very professional. You cannot reach late to teach a class or cancel. There are no downsides to this job if you take good care of your body. Sometimes dancers suffer from back problems - but if you stretch well you can avoid it! 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do the same thing?

If you have a passion for dancing then go ahead and give it a shot. Try and get associated with a dance school and teach to get experience and grow.... It may not have a lot of money but it has a tremendous amount of satisfaction. In fact, you could teach dance as a part time after work job. Its extra pocket money for you and you will enjoy what you are doing... 

What is the dance industry in Singapore like?

In Singapore , there are limited Dance studios and the space is very small. But fortunately there are all forms of dancing available to learn and teach. The students are great and love to dance - so in that sense its a good industry! 

You can have a look at the rest of our Career Stories at http://careerminded.com/career_tip_s.php?id=0

Quote on Initiative

" Men who do things without being told draw the most wages. "- Edwin H. Stuart

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Career Switch: From Engineering to Sales

Senior Engineer moves to the frontlines

Perhaps one of the biggest transitions one can make in a career would be from building a product to pushing it. Eric Tan went from operating behind-the-scenes as an engineer to going out there and selling a product as a salesman. The thirty-two year old is currently a Sales Executive at TL Jones Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. He shares his experience with us.

What were you doing in your previous company?

I was a Senior Sales Engineer at Danfoss Industries, a mechanical and electronic components company

What does your current job entail now?

I handle local and regional Sales for TL Jones Asia Pacific, manufacturer and supplier of elevator passenger safety, control and information equipment.

What made you decide to make the career switch to Sales?

My current job offers me regional exposure and an overall better pay package

When, and how old were you, when you made the switch?

June of 2010, I was 31 years old

Were there any courses you had to go through when you decided to do Sales?

Not at all, I think that's the beauty of Sales

What is the best aspect of Sales that engineering could not offer?

In Sales you enjoy incentives based off your performance

What were the biggest challenges you had to face when you made the career switch?

Switching to a different industry. Doing Sales and talking to people and being an engineer building things is a totally different ballgame

Advice you would give to a person who wants to make a career switch?

Don't only look at pay package but also consider factors like opportunities that the next company can give and whether it aligns with your career expectations and career plan ahead

What are your plans for the next 5 years?

I aspire to be a Sales Manager leading a sales team

Take a look at the rest of our Career Switch stories!

Quote on Work

"Work is not man's punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure. "- George Sand, French Novelist

How many of us fall into a cycle of doing a job we don't like at all? With money such a huge consideration in Singapore, it's not surprising we choose jobs we don't like all that much which pay better over jobs we'd like to have. Still, it's never too late to pursue a career you'd like to have. Build the capital or resources you need, and go for it!

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Why should Singaporeans work abroad?

Singapore has a robust economy. Why should I even consider working overseas? 

It is no secret that Singapore is one of the more developed countries in Asia. However, its economic success has its disadvantages. While ample employment opportunities have been presented to Singaporeans, this has also brought about competition from foreign talent – top managers who are attracted to the idea of career advancement coupled with a generous pay package. With competition from both locals and foreigners, it is harder to obtain higher-tier jobs. 

Are Singaporean professionals regarded highly for jobs?

 

Singaporean managers are highly in demand and openly welcomed overseas, especially in still-developing Asian countries. With the economic boom from globalisation, an abundance of employment opportunities have sprung up though with a shortage of managerial and technical talents – positions which Singaporean managers are capable of filling up. 

In addition, Singaporeans’ bilingual capabilities coupled with their trade skills give them competitive advantages. Singapore as a country has a reputation for discipline, achievement and integrity and its citizens are often associated with the same qualities.

What are the more popular countries for employment among Singaporeans?

Singaporeans tend to seek work in emerging or developing Asian countries, though Hong Kong is attractive for its lucrative financial industry with top dollars. Predominantly ethnic Chinese environments are the most popular - more Singaporeans can be found working in China than in all the other Asian countries combined.

Benefits of working abroad?

Employers prefer employees who have worked abroad as it indicates that he or she is flexible and adaptable to different workplace environments, independent and has an additional language under their belt. 

On a more personal level,  working abroad provides you with the opportunity to explore new cultures, languages and foods and interact with people who are very different from you. The experience can be extremely fun and fulfilling.

Why should Singaporeans study abroad?

What will I gain? 

Studying abroad will help you develop skills and offer you experiences a local classroom setting can never provide. A new culture provides you the opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities. By encountering situations that are completely foreign to you, you will learn to adapt and respond to changes in effective ways. In addition, cultural differences are not limited to differences in language, food and appearance. An individual’s culture reflects intricate perceptions, beliefs and values that influence their way of life. Students who experience these cultural differences personally can come to truly understand other cultures. 

Studying abroad also helps you to learn about yourself and expand your worldview. Students who travel overseas to study often return home with new perspectives about themselves and their own culture. It also makes you more informed and much less biased towards other cultures and people. 

Is studying in a foreign country different? 

Breaking out of the monotony of academic routines common to your country is another positive. Studying in a foreign country is almost certainly much different from what you are used to as a student. You might be introduced to a completely new academic system that suits you better and even have the opportunity to take courses not offered in your home campus.

My foreign degree vs a local degree?

Perhaps the most compelling reason to study abroad is the doors that it can open for you. As the world becomes increasingly globalized, companies from countries all over the world are investing in the international market. A student who has studied abroad is likely to be regarded as someone who is independent, willing to take up new challenges and flexible and adaptable to changes and new situations. The experience gleaned from living in another country, learning a new culture and acquiring another language gives you an edge against other job applicants. An overseas education also beefs up your degree. As mentioned above, you can take courses you could not otherwise take in a school at home and it is easier to add a minor in a language or even a second major without having to take additional courses after returning home. 

Most popular country for foreign studies amongst Singaporeans? 

It is estimated that there are around 100,000 Singaporean alumni of Australian institutions. You can check out our academic programmes for a list of Australian universities.

For a list of courses offered abroad, visit our website. (Choose a profession, and click 'Go Abroad' under the courses section)

Why work in Singapore?

What is the business environment like?

If advancing your career in an overseas market is at the top of your mind, then look no further than Singapore. With a pro-business government, modern infrastructure and an industrious culture, Singapore offers the ideal work environment for you to grow in your field.  This positive business climate allows it to rank number one for ease of doing business in the world year after year. 

While seeking potential business ventures or job opportunities, Singapore is the ideal place for foreigners. However, as the case with any country, proper research and planning is required before you decide to pursue a career here as due to the high standard of living here, it could potentially be an expensive place to stay in.   

What is the business language?

Communication is key for any business. With English as the official working language, communication in Singapore is very simple in spite of its citizens’ different cultures and races. And speaking of the many different races, public housing, national schools and national service encourage racial harmony to the extent that it has become part of Singapore’s identity thus making it a very favourable place for expatriates to work in.  

What is the economic and political stability of the country?

Economic and political stability are yet more attractive aspects of Singapore. Often referred to as the “Switzerland of Asia”, Singapore enjoys high security coupled with a low crime and corruption environment. As a country lacking any natural resources, it has been a base for business since its founding and has come to be recognised as one of the world’s most business-friendly places. Some of the prime growth industries are Education, Biomedical Sciences, Chemicals, Media, Engineering and Info-Communications. A free market economy coupled with low taxes, Singapore is strategically located as the regional hub of South East Asia.

What is the infrastructure of the country like?

Singapore boasts excellent infrastructure and accessibility, being well connected via sea, air and telecommunications to all parts of the world.  Singapore Changi Airport serves more than 60 airlines to over 145 cities and has for many successive years been named the world’s best airport. A well-organized and quality land transport system links all parts of the island, making travel within the country extremely quick. The introduction of the EZ-link card – a stored value card that automatically deducts the required travel fare from the user account – is testament to the government’s commitment to make mass transport more efficient. 

How are taxes like?

Taxes in Singapore are the most favourable after Hong Kong in Asia. The GST (Goods and Services) tax is at a flat rate of 7%. Income tax rates are at around 15% for mid to high-income earners, or roughly one month of yearly salary. 
  
Submit your resume to us now at our Resumes section

Why study in Singapore?

What is the education sector like?

Being a country with no natural resources to draw from, Singapore focuses heavily on education to drive its economy. Its government adopts a three-pronged strategy for schools: academic excellence, organisational excellence, and student protection and welfare excellence.  As a Global Education Hub it boasts a wide range of World-Class universities such as INSEAD, John Hopkins University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In addition, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is ranked as one of the top 25 universities in the world.  

Public schools in Singapore have a record of excellent teaching and learning, exemplified by international comparative studies such as the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) that showcased students from Singapore schools outperforming the international average in Mathematics and Science. Students have also excelled in worldwide competitions such as world debating championships in English and International Olympiads in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

What are the local universities?

National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore Institute of Managemen (SIM), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

What are the polytechnics?

Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Temasek Polytechnic (TP), Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Republic Polytechnic (RP)

How safe is it?

A stellar education system can never be a good enough reason for one to want to travel to study in a particular country. A country’s safety and stability is also an important factor. Singapore, fortunately, has the reputation of being one of the safest cities in the world and has taken similar efforts to ensure that foreign students are protected too. The Civil Service is sensitive to the needs of the people and complaints – if there ever has been a case of a student being unjustly dealt by a school or government organization, he or she can report it to relevant authorities for further action.

What I like about the country?

Singapore has excellent infrastructure, with different parts of the city well connected by roads and train tracks from one end to another. All buses, taxis and trains are air-conditioned with affordable fares.

Being the most internet-wired country in Asia, wireless broadband connections can be received from many parts of the island, allowing you to communicate with family or friends overseas any time during the day.

How much does it cost to study in Singapore?

The school fees for the more popular universities – NUS and NTU – are about $5000 a year after government subsidy. The prices for entering the private universities are much higher and can cost up to $20,000 for a year-long course. 

For a list of academic courses available in Singapore, visit our Academic Courses Section

Tips to answer Job Interview Questions

Job interviews are scary. Sufficient preparation is vital, especially for those tricky questions you do not want to give the wrong answers to. Questions like:

1. Why are you leaving your current job?

2. You're overqualified. Why would you want this job?

3. You're under-qualified. Why should we hire you?

This great how-to video answers a few of those questions that could possibly leave you tongue-tied. Have a look!

For a comprehensive Career Guide, visit Career Minded

Tips To Get Along With Your Superior

We have all probably had them at some point in our lives. The superior who seems to torment and criticize us relentlessly and the one that makes us dread coming to work every day. Our motivation dwindles, our productivity decreases and we consider leaving the job – it’s natural. However, quitting shouldn’t be the first solution. How we manage ourselves with regard to our superior could be key to a positive work experience. We share some tips with you.

1. Know your superior

Get to know your boss’ likes and dislikes. We often go about our regular duties until our superior criticizes the way things are being done. This is a classic case of miscommunication. From the get-go, make sure of what you’re supposed to do and how your boss wants it to be done. Being silent often gives the impression that you are in sync with your employer when a task is allocated to you. There are a hundred and one ways a task can be done – having a discussion whilst exchanging viewpoints will keep things in perspective. 

2. Look at yourself

It’s hard to notice our own faults. When we fail to see them, we might automatically assume the boss is being harsh and critical. Before doing so, remember to ask yourself if you’ve done everything correctly. If that doesn’t help, get a second opinion of your performance. An objective viewpoint will put things in perspective. 

3. Don’t get defensive

Yes, easier said than done. When we’re criticized for doing something incorrectly we can’t help but take it as a personal attack against ourselves. In most cases, it isn’t and even if it is, reacting with anger should never be the solution. Work on discussing the matter. Leverage on the criticism to discuss where you’ve gone wrong and what exactly is it that your superior wants. Ask them for advice and work on how you can improve. Chances are that if you do get defensive, you’ll be opening yourself up for additional attacks. Your boss probably has a bigger ego after all.

4. Be Professional

It’s harder to change others than yourself. If your superior really is difficult to deal with, then change the way you react to their behavior. Understand the difference between not liking your superior and not being professional. You do not have an obligation to like your superior, but you are obliged to be professional and do a good job. And lastly, leave your work problems at work. Complaining about your superior  to your family and friends is indicative of the impact they have on your life.

For a comprehensive Career Guide, visit Career Minded

Tips for a Good CV

In the last entry we mentioned making your Curriculum Vitae (CV) stand out to attract potential employers as one of the three tips for job interviews. Today we expand on that and offer several tips towards achieving that goal. 

1. PDF format, NOT Word

It is not uncommon for job applicants to send their CVs in Word format. Not only does this make you look unprofessional, but if you’ve used a resume template off the internet, chances are someone has used the exact same template. With PDF, you get to customize your CV in ways that makes it unique to only yourself and distinguish it from the other resumes. As the document is compressed and the fonts are embedded, no one can edit it. In addition, a PDF document will appear the same on any type of computer and the printed version remains consistent with what appears on the screen. 

2. Include a picture of yourself, and a good one at that

Employers generally would want to know whose resume they’re looking at it. A name alone isn’t enough. A picture of yourself definitely gives you an edge over someone who hasn’t included one, and makes them remember your CV better. Do remember that the picture should look professional – go to a photo studio for a glamour shot if you must. 

3. Customize your resume for different companies

Not all organizations look for the same things in a resume. If you are including a cover letter to go along with your CV, make sure that you include only things that would be relevant to that job. For example, your internship at a publication when applying to be a reporter or your role as a class chairman in school when applying for a more senior position. If you applying for a job at a governmental organizations or ones with rigid settings such as banks, focus on your job related skills and education. If you are applying for a job that involves more creativity and freedom like advertising, designing or writing then include things about yourself such as your interests that offers a look on what kind of person you are.  

4. Make it Perfect

While the way you customize your resume is important, the content is even more so. Remember to be confident in your CV. Potential employers want to know that you can do the job. To that end, remember to avoid words such as May, Hope and Try. They want to know you will do your best and that you are the best person for the job. Also, make sure you proofread for grammar and spelling errors. Read through again and again and get someone else to do it for you as it is common not to spot your own errors. 

For a comprehensive Career Guide, visit Career Minded

3 Tips for Job Interviews

Plenty of websites, books and seminars espouse a number of things you have to follow when about to head for a job interview. These steps are probably almost always “correct”, but when it comes right down to it, how many of these things do we actually follow? When anxiety takes over, those ten or so things that we’re advised to do for job interviews complicate the preparation process, making us even more nervous than before. Career Minded shares its thoughts on what we think are three most important things you need to do. 

1. Make your CV stand out

These days when employers are surfing through heaps of email resumes (most of which probably in the standard MS Word format), the ones that stand out often make the best impression. Whether it’s the one person who sent out his resume on a PDF file, or the one with the extremely glamorous studio photo – the simplest thing can set you apart. Sure, resume templates are all kinds of wonderful – but pause to wonder just how many others have used the same template. Templates are good benchmarks for what you should include in your resume but not how you want to present yourself. How you format your resume can help convey things about yourself right off the bat and earn you brownie points. But remember, while you’re being creative, class and sleekness should be the underlying tone. It’s still a job search after all and the employment process begins the moment you send out your resume. 

2. Do your research

There’s nothing worse than turning up at a job interview not knowing about the company (or the industry if you’re aiming for a more senior position). Visit the company’s website and talk to anyone you might know who works there. Several questions that you could pose to yourself even before the interview could be: what kind of products or services does the company offer, what type of people work there, what are the typical hours this position requires and what are some of the tasks that the job involves? With adequate research, you could pleasantly surprise the interviewer questions that other candidates might not have thought to ask at all.

3. Practice

Okay, so you’ve been shortlisted for the interview, and you’ve done your research. You’re at the end of the road, and this is the final stretch that really counts, the actual job interview. Plenty of people often make it to this point but fall short, and not because of incompetence. Anxiety is often almost always the number one cause for this. Having a stellar resume amounts to nothing if you cannot market yourself efficiently during an interview. 

Practice really does make a difference. Whether you’re doing it alone or with someone, practicing out loud for your interview repeatedly will help you sound more polished and less nervous. Go through the things you want the employer to know about you and practice answering every common interview question possible! With enough practice, you will safeguard yourself from stammering and rambling during the interview and build up your confidence at the same time. 

For a comprehensive Career Guide, visit http://www.careerminded.com/  now

Profile of an Entertainer: Ebi Shankara

Let me Ebi-tain you

With Ebi Shankara you get a triple threat.  The twenty-three year old winner of Vasantham Star can belt out tunes as well as the best of them, take the acting stage and give you a performance leaving you in awe and finally be an engaging host for any function, be it the most elegant formal event or the most outrageous, funky party.

He hadn’t always wanted to be an entertainer. It was only at the age of fifteen after being in a production of Cinderella by Wild Rices did he make the choice. “I felt I was good at this,” he said. “It was at that moment that I decided to become an entertainer.”

So how did he train to become an entertainer? To hone his acting skills, he enrolled in the School of Performing Arts in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). “On top of that I practised constantly with Theatre Buds Youth Theatre every Sunday,” he added.  For his vocal lessons attended Indian Classical vocal classes on top of the training he was already receiving from NAFA. 

He believes that anyone who really wants to do what he does , can. “To each his own,” he says. Still, he goes on to say that they have to bring something of their own to the table. “They cannot give what I give.”

The future looks bright for Ebi, who is constantly looking for opportunities to improve himself. He intends to get a degree in Drama with the University of Essex in London, before heading to a conservatory in the United States. “I want to hone my craft in the US, and see how far I can go in the entertainment industry there. But not forsaking Singapore of course, because I definitely want to return and give back.”

What were the biggest challenges you had to face when you decided to become an entertainer?

My family was sceptical about this being a viable source for income. 

Are there any downsides to the job?

Sometimes when there’s no work you start to question whether you’ve made the right choice but then you realise that this is what I do best so what else am I going to do?

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to be an entertainer?

Rethink about what you niche is. You need to have an extra something that someone else doesn’t have. If you want to be an entertainer, work on what u think differentiates people. Bring your own original style to your work. 

What is the entertainment industry like?

It’s a massive stronghold. There’s a circle of well-known people which is hard to penetrate, and to get inside you must be accepted and appreciated for your talent. The people must see something different in you that they want to explore. Hard work and luck will be the only way you can make it in the Singapore entertainment industry.

 You can have a look at the rest of our Career Stories at http://careerminded.com/career_tip_s.php?id=0