Managing Your Boss

In the middle of a long list of tasks, networking strategies, looking for new executive jobs, and other things that go into your daily grind, you sometimes have to manage your boss too. Yes, your boss manages you and the team you belong to, but you also need to adjust and do your part in helping him do his job. And honestly, if you think about it, it seldom happens that you have a great boss who does a great job and makes life so much easier for you. So how do you manage your own boss?

• Build trust. Volunteer to work on little projects and do your best in them. The goal is to make your boss feel that there is no need to micromanage you. And as you progress on the project, give updates to your boss so he wouldn’t have to follow up with you on its status. Before it even crosses his mind to check up on you, you should have already submitted a report.

• Ask questions. Oftentimes, your boss has a lot of tasks on his plate. Aside from that, he also assumes that you know what he means, and he expects you to understand from his level of understanding. Of course, this isn’t the case. This can cause a deluge of problems if not dealt with properly. Ask questions and don’t hold back on them until you get a clear picture of what he wants you to do. You don’t want to be in a situation where you fail to accomplish a task because of unclear instructions. When that happens, will you be able to blame your boss?
• Ask for clear and comfortable deadlines. Some bosses just throw tasks at you like you’re somebody with great powers. While it can be flattering that your boss trusts your capabilities, it can also be tiring if you always have to juggle so many tasks all at the same time. The quality of your work may be compromised. So, every time your boss gives you a new task, make sure that all deadlines are clear and well-planned so that you can manage your time more effectively.
• Ask your boss to mentor you. Being an apprentice will allow you to progress faster than any other method, so take every opportunity to learn from your boss. Ask him for step-by-step instructions every time there is a new task, discuss issues and resolve problems with him. Sure, there are many accounting jobs in Singapore, but you can get the best one if you capitalise on the knowledge you acquired from your boss and put them into practice when the time comes for you to manage your own team.

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Invest In Your Career Today

Invest: such a big word that excites most of us but frightens the few who would rather spend their money, time, and effort in the present. An investment has many returns, and if you know which investments can reward you with good potential returns, then you will be able to reap the benefits in no time.

Your career is not only a source of income but also of your self-confidence and value. Why shouldn’t you invest in it? There are a lot of ways through which you can invest in your career. Consider the following and take stock of your career.

• Certification. Depending on your field, obtaining a certification may increase your market value. For instance, professionals with high-paying finance jobs in Singapore obtain licenses such as the Financial Advisers License in order to conduct one or more financial services as regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The licensure exams are very tough and expensive, but investing in this is well worth it given how lucrative and financially rewarding finance jobs are.

• Degree. Get a master’s degree or a doctorate degree. This will definitely take a lot of your time, energy, and money, but it will improve your capabilities and increase your market value. The moment you receive a higher degree, you will automatically be eligible for higher positions and bigger responsibilities. Try asking your company for a scholarship or an academic grant.
• An online brand. Do you have a professional website that highlights your skills and accomplishments? You should consider having one. You only have to pay yearly for the web hosting and the URL of your site, and shell out a one-time payment for a team who will create your website. This is a great way to look more professional and to promote your personal brand. Also, make sure that your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles are updated and active.
• Communication skills. Invest in learning how to improve your communication skills. You can even learn another language. Since competition is global, you need to learn how to interact with people outside of your country. Enroll in classes that will teach you business etiquette that transcends different cultures. Remember, a successful career is more than just knowing how to excel in different banking jobs. You have to know how to communicate and work with people at all levels.

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Reasons To Accept A Job Offer

Ah, getting a job offer for an executive job you’ve been dreaming of. It’s a rare moment in one’s life, and it can make your self-esteem and confidence soar up high. But after feeling ecstatic about how a company wants you to be in their team, what do you do next? Do you accept the offer? If yes, based on what? Here are some of the most valid reasons to make you say “Yes” to a job offer.

New learning
A lot of professionals quit their jobs because they already stopped learning. If you’re looking for a new accounting job and you were offered a position that will entail basically the same things and tasks as your former job, then you need to think twice about that offer. Sure, the pay check may be better and the benefits great, but your time wasted on the same old job is worth more.

Think proactively and consider how your career will progress when evaluating an offer. A challenging job that comes with perks such as good salary and employee benefits is a winner job.

Benefits
Who wouldn’t be attracted to a generous benefits package that includes a wide range of perks – from medical insurance to gym membership? If a company offers you paid time offs, income protection and other bonuses, it will be difficult to say no to the offer.

An attractive benefits package is also proof that a company considers its employees’ welfare. It is also a good sign that you will be working in a good company that supports talent retention and care.

A routine schedule and pay
Although there are still a number of professionals who prefer flexible work schedules, this can also become downright tiring. A set schedule will enable you to plan your life well in such a way that it doesn’t depend on your career and the things you need to do for it.

It can be hard for an executive position to be free from unplanned overtimes, so if you were offered a job with a more fixed schedule, it would be too difficult to say no.

An easy travel
With the stress your job entails, you don’t want your travel to and from the office to be even more difficult. You don’t want to take so long a time in commuting. You should be able to preserve your physical energy for work and for personal time afterwards.

Aside from an easy commute, another big factor is if you can walk or ride a bike to and from work. It means that you can save on travel costs!

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Salary Renegotiation 101

You’re not alone in thinking that you are worth more than the salary you get every month. You’re also not alone in doing nothing about it. There are but a handful of assertive executives who stand up and renegotiate their salaries. They are the ones who are successful in their careers and happy with how much they’re getting.

Are you ready to renegotiate? Here are some tips:

Know your worth. Sure, you want to enjoy a higher salary. But do you have an idea about your real value? Will you be able to quantify your skills and accomplishments? List them all down so that you have basis for renegotiating your salary. If you can come up with substantial figures, such as how much money the company saved because of the process you introduced to streamline operations, then you will be able to better support your case.

No begging. You’re not a beggar; you’re an executive. Don’t come into your boss’s office with a sad face and a “pity party” waiting to happen. Your boss will not see it the way you want him to see it. Many employees think that having worked in a company for many years will automatically entitle them to a salary increase. You should remember that your work performance, accomplishments, and contributions to the company will weigh more than the length of time you clocked in and out of the office.

Don’t sound so entitled. This is the opposite of begging. Don’t go complaining to your boss about how you haven’t had any salary increase in a long time, while you worked as hard as everybody in your team and also contributed to the company’s growth. When renegotiating your salary, you should talk about your value and contributions to the company instead of questioning why you haven’t received any increment at all.

Present options to your boss. You might want to present options just to show that more than the salary, you care for the company and you want your career to grow. You may choose to volunteer for some extra work, or you can ask your boss to allocate the increase to your skills training instead. This will send a good message to your boss and can help build your reputation in the office. It can also be a good time to ask not just for a raise, but also for that promotion to a manager’s job which you’ve been eyeing on for months.

Negotiate at the right time. When is the right time? There are a lot of factors to consider. For instance, you should pay attention to the company’s current situation. Is it going through a crisis? Has the management just announced its efforts to restructure the business in order to cut operational costs? Or maybe everybody is busy because it’s that time of the year when customers are streaming in? If that’s the case, then you should consider postponing your renegotiation for another month or two. In the meantime, focus on becoming ready for that director job you’ve been eyeing.

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Do You Have A Healthy Network?

If you suddenly find yourself searching for one among the different executive jobs in Singapore, do you have a strong network you can turn to for help?

Building your network should be a continuous process. It shouldn’t be something that you do only because you’re in between jobs. In fact, maintaining your network should be an integral part of your overall career strategy, alongside working hard and impressing your boss. This applies to whether you have an accounting job, a position in a media firm, or a freelance finance professional.

So do you have a strong and healthy network? Here are some indicators:

• You have the contact information of your former colleagues. The more contacts you have, the better. You can also expand your professional contacts by browsing through LinkedIn and connecting with your former colleagues. With the Internet, it is easy to re-establish your connections with those people you’ve worked with – all with a simple click of the mouse.
• You communicate with your contacts. It’s not enough that you have their contact details and you’re friends with them on Facebook. How can your contacts recommend you if you seldom communicate with them (even if it’s online only)? You should spend some time to catch up with them, find out what they have been doing since the last time you saw them. That should get the ball rolling to beef up your network.
• You have a contact who can refer you. You need to have a handful of people you can write as your references when applying for a job. There should be at least six of them. So if you only have one, then you need to brush up on your networking skills.
• You attend professional events. Networking doesn’t happen online only. You need to suit up and be present in professional and other industry events. If you’re a PR director, you should attend local and international PR and Media Relations forums which are regularly held in Singapore. You can learn a lot from attending these events. Moreover, it is a great opportunity to be seen and to build a healthy network of other professionals working in your industry.
• You get to have lunch with somebody from your network. Now, this one’s a toughie. Why would you have coffee with someone who isn’t even your friend? Well, networking is all about reaching out to the people who matter to you as far as your career is concerned. So, go ahead and invite your former client to coffee. You’ll never know what’s waiting for you after you finish exchanging pleasantries.
• Other professionals contact you. This means that you’re within the “radar” of their network. If you are often asked to give reference, it means that you have a healthy network of executives whom you can turn to for help when you need it. Make sure you answer calls and you give worthwhile feedback about your contacts.

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What to Do When You Lose Your Job

After you cry, eat a bucket of ice cream and watch a movie marathon, it’s time to hustle up and rise from the ashes. Here are the things you need to do when you lose your job. And before you say you will never lose your job, here’s the thing: Nothing is impossible. Better be prepared.

Don’t immediately sign anything.
When the HR Department asks you to sign something, don’t. Yet. Read everything and if you feel the need, seek the help of a lawyer. You don’t want to be shortchanged when you leave. Review your compensation and benefits package and make sure that you will be getting what is stated in your hire contract.

Pay attention to when you are being debriefed by the HR representative.
You might think that your meeting with the HR rep is just standard procedure, but a conversation might help you understand your status better. Were you laid off along with hundreds of other employees? Or is it because of your poor performance? This can be a slap on the face, exactly what you need.

Pay attention to your health insurance.
Will you stay covered even after your termination? If not, what are the benefits that you can claim before your contract ends? And should you stay jobless for a quite a time, what are the provisions that may be given to you by the government?

Update your resume.
You may be surprised at how outdated your resume is. As you update your resume, look at different resources online that will tell you how your resume should look like. Make sure that aside from its content, you also pay attention to its appearance such as the fonts that you use and the layout of the whole document.

Create an online presence.
Upload your freshly updated resume in the Internet. Look for job sites where you can start searching for a job, and make sure you have a LinkedIn profile to back it up. LinkedIn is the Facebook of the professional arena, so make sure your name can be seen there. Connect with your colleagues and subscribe to pages of companies you want to work in.

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Hard Lessons You Will Learn in Your Career

They say experience is the best teacher, but we’re rounding up what executives say are the most difficult lessons experience taught them. These things are learned in school, and it might come as a shock to new graduates. But to those in executive jobs such as accounting jobs and manager jobs, all they need is a little reminder that these lessons are ones that they have already learned along the way.

Your reputation matters.
And it matters a lot. If you think that it is okay to slack off in a job because you’re leaving soon anyway, you’re thinking wrong. Your future employer can easily review your performance in one company.
Think if your job as your business. You call the shots, and you will be the one to raise its profits. This mindset will help you know that you are actually doing your job for yourself, and not for anybody else.

You are your own advocate.
Although some people will vouch for you, don’t count on it. Take it upon yourself to build your reputation as a skilled and valuable talent. Learn how to speak up and let others know about your accomplishments. Just learn how to do it without sounding too arrogant and pushy.

There is no dream job.
The person who dreamt of doing nothing aside from watching TV is now complaining that he isn’t able to do anything else anymore. Your dream job is in the clouds, and it is just not possible to reach it. You may reach your dream position, your dream set of responsibilities, and your dream pay, but these are all not without challenges and constant hurdles. You have to learn how to roll with the punches.

The boss is really important.
He is important because he leads your team, but he is also important because he has great impact on you and on the way you work. You may be the most passionate employee and everybody may love you, but if you have a horrible boss, all these things won’t matter. Your direct supervisor can make or break the way you go from your day-to-day work. Make sure that before you accept a job offer, you have first evaluated the management you will be working under.

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Questions to Ask before You Pursue an Industry

ou have your reasons: the industry is hot, you think you will do well in it, you just have that gut feel that it is the perfect industry to chase. But take note that times are changing, and really fast. Today’s hot industry might not be tomorrow’s best one. Today banking jobs may be big, tomorrow other finance jobs will take over.
The point is, there is no sense in pursuing an industry just because it’s where the money is.  And while there is completely nothing wrong with chasing after a career in the industry that is the most in today, you need to be more critical. Remember, your future depends on your decision today. So here are questions you need to ask before you jump on the bandwagon of whatever industry you feel is scorching hot today.


What does it take to succeed in the industry?

Not because an industry is booming means that everybody who works there is successful. That’s just plain delusional. Identify the necessary skills required for one to be successful in an industry. You have to be aware that your current skillset might be too far from what is required in the job you want to apply for.

Why is an industry booming?

You need to get really critical about it. In between being excited about the opportunities that come your way and entertaining phone calls from interested recruiters, you need to see through all the awesome things and have a reality check. Maybe the industry is hot because of high turnover or because of poor working conditions. The compensation and benefits packages might be enticing, but there must be a reason why a lot of people still choose to leave.

Can I really do the job?

Aside from your skills and capabilities, you also need to take into consideration your soft skills. For instance, if you’ve been in the IT industry for a long time and you’ve become very comfortable working by yourself and in front of a computer all day, you might encounter problems when you shift to a job that will require you to interact with people constantly. Be honest to yourself and really evaluate whether or not you can do the job. You do not want to be earning big bucks yet feeling really low about your performance.

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Things to Consider before Signing an Employment Contract

So, after a long time of looking, you finally see yourself with an offer for a Singapore executive job that you feel will suit you best. Is it happy ever after from then on? Not really. Aside from workplace woes, you first need to make sure that what you’re signing into will really work towards the advancement of your career. Here are the things you need to consider before you put your precious signature on all pages of the contract. And yes, you need to read it thoroughly.

Start dates and end dates

You might think that a start date is important but an end date is as open as the sea. While there is no need to indicate an exact date for your last day, there should be specific provisions for when you need to leave. For instance, your contract should indicate the number of days your resignation letter should be signed and acknowledged before you leave the company.



Is the job secure enough?

Read through the contract and look for any indication that your security might be at risk in the company. While it is true that no job can give you enough security, the contract should at least give you peace of mind when you read through it.

Compensation and benefits

What is your basic salary? If you are applying for a high position accounting job, are you being offered a competitive amount? If there are provisions for bonuses and other rewards, how does the evaluation process go? Who will decide whether or not you will get a bonus? Are the benefits fixed or can they be changed by the HR or your boss? This is a very important part of the contract, so if you want some concrete details, ask for them to be included in writing.

Termination

The contract should specify the causes for termination. This will protect you from being thrown away for reasons as wide as the sea.

Freelancing

Is your contract restrictive, or will you be able to do some moonlighting on the side? The corporate landscape today is very permissive of freelancing and flexible work hours, so a restrictive employer is a big turn-off, and it can be a sign that the company is backwards in a lot of issues regarding employment.

Job description

Is the job description in synch with your skills and with the one discussed during your interviews with the company? Ask for specifics; you want your contract to protect you from unnecessary tasks that are not included in your tasks list.

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Handling an Interview When You’re Overqualified

So you have an MBA, you’re a member of several professional organizations, you’ve published articles, and you’re just really good at what you do. You would think that there is no drawback, but one of the most common complaints of such kinds of people is that they have a very limited range of positions, not because they wouldn’t do well on other jobs, but because they are always looked at as overqualified.
So what should you do when you are seeking employment and are willing to take on lower positions? Here are some tips.

• Show genuine interest on the job. The reason why employers hesitate to hire experienced employees is that they worry that such professionals may become unhappy and hence leave the company prematurely. If you send a message that you just need a darn finance job, you will most likely be rejected. So show to your interviewer that you would really want to get the position for reasons other than money.

• Do not compromise your true skillset. You might be tempted to pretend that you are really inexperienced, even editing your resume and scrapping essential parts. You might get hired, sure, but you might also end up frustrated and disappointed with the tasks that you will be assigned with. So be honest with yourself and to the employer.
• Keep looking. You will most likely have a feel of the job that you are applying for even at the interview level. If you sense that the position will not be contributive to your career progress, then keep looking.
• Don’t sound desperate. This is an age-old trick that just doesn’t work anymore. Employers look for competent people who will perform well on the job, not desperate folks who are only after a job and nothing beyond that.
• Keep on networking. Everybody has benefited from networking at one point or another. Harness your network by asking contacts if they know any job that may fit you. Let them know that you are open to a myriad of opportunities. You might be a CEO in a startup company and you might be qualified for a lower level position in a huge multinational firm.

Looking for jobs at the lower levels has become a usual practice of executives. Blame it on the recession that happened the past years, or on the ever-changing landscape of the corporate world. Lateral moves are strategic and wise, and applying for different positions isn’t a stupid career move anymore. You might even see yourself shifting from a career in IT to succeeding in banking jobs!

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Interesting Answers to Introductory Interview Questions

Doing a job interview is almost always scary, although you already know the type of questions that will be asked. Take for example the perennial opening question “Can you tell me more about yourself?” A lot of people will start by saying their name, which would automatically lessen their chances of getting accepted for the job. Because hello, the interviewer already knows your name of course!
So instead of buckling and regretting that you didn’t prepare an answer, make a good impression by trying out these interesting and funny answers that will surely break the ice.

• Your favorite quote. If you still do not have one, this is the best time to look for a quote that perfectly says what you believe in and how you look at life, especially your career.
• Three words that best describe you. This is so interesting! Try hardworker, TV junkie and newlywed. They do not mesh together, and so it makes for a curious conversation that can take your interview to a lighter pace and more conversational, easier flow.

• What people say about you. What does your husband say about you when it comes to your work ethics? What does your mom say about your drive? The people who know you well will give you and your potential employer a nice insight about you.
• Your personal philosophy. This is a no-fail impression improver. Companies like thinkers who are also set on their life goals. It shows that you are a driven individual with a guiding principle.
• Your passion. An employer will be impressed if you let him know who you are instead of what you do. And your passion can be anything. It can be motorcycles, and it will still make a good impression on your interviewer.
• The results of a Google search. Try Googling yourself. What results came up? Mentioning it to your interviewer automatically lightens the conversation and will also give you a good idea about whether or not you need to clean up your online presence.
• The title of your life movie. This sounds a bit like an answer to a Miss Universe question, but nevertheless will offer great insight on how you are as a person. It effectively opens you up in an interesting way, that the interviewer would want to know you more. Just don’t give too cheesy answers like My Best Friend’s Wedding – that’s just spilling the beans on your personal life.
• What you wanted to become when you were growing up. Are you like the other kids who wanted to be a doctor, or did you want to have executive jobs or accounting jobs ever since? Most likely, you’re somewhere different from how you imagined yourself to be when you were six.

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What Would a Leader Do?

Everybody wants to be there: at the top, earning big bucks and admired by everyone. It seems that all Singapore jobs should be leading to a position at the top. But before you conduct an online job search in Singapore, do you know what leaders have to experience every single day? Do you have the capacity to go through the day making decisions, anticipating situations and serving? Yes, serving. Because leaders aren’t bosses who sit on their chairs and wait for coffee to arrive. They work so hard for the company. Why would they be paid high amounts if they have an easy job?
Nonetheless, every great leader knows that it is more than worth it to come to work every day and fulfill the role that is specifically assigned to them. Want to be a leader? Will you be willing to automatically do these things everyday?

• Make good decisions. If you’re too afraid to step up and decide, you will make a bad leader. Practice making decisions, the good kind, and you will soon see yourself being entrusted with bigger tasks and moves for the company.
• Listen to others’ opinions. You might already have had a boss who contradicts everything everybody says, and you might have never seen him as a leader. A great leader knows how to listen. In fact, he even encourages people to speak up, effectively deflecting attention from him and letting others shine.
• Challenge people. If you micromanage your team, you’ll end up exhausted, but more so your team. Step away and give them big responsibilities so that they will feel challenged. Get back to them regularly and provide feedback until they master the right way of doing things.
• Communicate and manage expectations well. The opposite of micro-managing is not providing the right criteria for tasks. Let your team know what is expected of them. Also do this when approaching each individual. Carefully discuss with each and every one of your teammates their responsibilities and scope of work. If you can provide a specific list of things to achieve or do by the end of a quarter, then you can be sure that your employees will do their best to accomplish what you have laid out for them, without your having to snoop on them.
• Lead by example. How cliché, but this remains true. If you want your team to work hard, it needs to be seen in the way you work. Show strong work ethics and your team will do the same. No one will get promoted if no one sees what he does. So do not hesitate to “show off” even just a bit.

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