CareersCompass by MyCareersFuture Podcast

COS 2025: Unpacking Why Career Health is Such a Big Deal for Workers and Employers (Insights)

In this podcast, we round up the key highlights from the Committee of Supply (COS) 2025: What do Singaporean workers and employers have to look forward to and benefit from?
There’s much to unpack, such as the below and more:
Career Health SG, a new nationwide initiative to empower Singaporeans to develop meaningful and resilient careers;
The introduction of a new SkillsFuture Workforce Development grant, which provides funding support of up to 70% (with the current cap at $30,000 to be reviewed and raised) for companies to engage pre-approved consultants on job redesign.
It's clear that helping Singaporean employees and their employers start to build career health strategies is a big priority of COS 2025, and this podcast covers some of the programmes and schemes towards that end, and what employers and workers need to take note of to get the best use of them.
We speak with Adrian Choo, CEO/Founder of Career Agility International. Formerly from Shell and GE Plastics, and with more than a decade in C-suite headhunting, he shares on how all these goodies can help employers and workers meet halfway in building greater career health and longevity, in terms of skillset and competitivity for our local workforce!
Key highlights to listen to:
(2:25) Figuring out exactly what new skills are needed is something both employers and workers need to align on
(4:38) If employers can offer gym access to improve employees' physical health, what can they do to improve their career thealth?
(6:25) Career health and upskilling needs to be more than a top down initiative, with leaders leading by example
(8:43) Job redesign: whose jobs need to change, and quickly?
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Mid-career and Middle-aged, And Worried About Your Career Prospects? This Singaporean Tried Polaris (Growth)

For many of the industries that we work in, the economic and technological changes in the business landscape will definitely impact our career outlooks.
As such, it is important to roadmap our future career progression, keeping in mind our personal and professional aspirations.
But of course, as the saying goes: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
In this episode of our Listen and Learn series, which covers the most popular content on CareersCompass, Workforce Singapore Principal Manager Kelvin Tan shares his personal experience with Polaris, a suite of personalised career guidance programmes delivered by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and its appointed providers, Ingeus and AKG.
It is designed for those who are:
Exploring career opportunities;
Seeking clarity before making crucial career decisions;
Looking to move up in their career; and
Contemplating to hone their expertise in a specific role.
Learn about about his experience here, and read how his three Polaris sessions went:
(Session 1) Career Guidance for the Middle-Aged: How This Singaporean Got Started on Polaris by WSG
(Session 2) Career Growth for the Middle-Aged: How Polaris by WSG Helped This Singaporean Discover His Real Competencies
(Session 3) Career Guidance for the Middle-Aged: Why Coaching Helps With Motivation
Key highlights to listen to:
(2:45) Why inertia and complacency can hit us all with in mid-life and mid-career 
(5:21) Why Polaris by WSG is a good way to audit your career so far
(7:10) What can career coaching do to help with the insights you've gleaned for a bigger and better career after
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

The Key Principles to Achieve Better Career Health This Year (Growth)

We're starting another new year, and the key buzzword professionally is career health. It's about being on track for a sustainable career, while also staying relevant and fulfilled in Singapore's fast changing job market. 
With industries changing fast from digitalisation, green goals, and global competition, employers' needs are changing, and in this podcast episode we explain a few key aspects to stay on top of it all:
What is skills-first hiring, and why does it matter to you?
How to audit your career path and whether its truly got the legs to last you your professional lifespan
No one builds a career in isolation- how to get help if you need it!
Key highlights to listen to:
(1:20) What are employers focused on when it comes to hiring?
(3:10) A tool that can help you figure it all out
(4:30) For those who are employed- where does your employer factor into your career health?
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Design Thinking for Later and Longer Careers: How Should Singaporean Workers Start Planning Ahead? (Tenacity)

Whether you’re younger, middle-aged, or senior, career and skills planning to remain competitive to employers is growing in importance, particularly to maintain employability past 50.
As such, our guest for today’s podcast is Simon Siah, an advisor with Courage Chapter, an organisation founded with a mission on changing the narrative around aging in the Singapore workforce.  
We’ll discuss how to your average Singapore worker can use design thinking – a popular buzzwork at workplaces these days - for better career health even into their later years!
Key highlights to listen to:
(1:20) Why are Singaporeans unprepared when there’s a sudden change in job status?
(5:00) Reinventing oneself career-wise.
(8:29) Design-thinking: what is it, and how does it help map out your career?
(9:00) Skills for the future to learn today
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Fractional Roles: Why They're Win-win For Singapore's Employers and Workers (Growth)

Here’s a term you might not have heard of, whether you’re an employer or worker: fractional roles.
To explain simply, they are job positions that aren’t quite full-time positions, but not quite part-time either.
According to Kai Ning, the co-founder of Courage Chapter, an organisation founded with a mission on changing the narrative around aging in the Singapore workforce, some Singaporean companies are actually making changes to their employment structure to hire in this manner.
She’s on our podcast to share further on fractional roles, and how older or senior workers fit better into such positions, compared to younger workers who might prefer traditionally full-time positions for several reasons.
Key highlights to listen to:
(1:20) What exactly are fractional roles, and why employers are starting to hire for them?
(5:00) What kind of positions do fractional roles tend to be hired for?
(8:29) Senior and older workers considering fractional roles - here’s why they work for you.
(9:00) The pros and cons of fractional roles, and who they’re best suited for.
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Navigating Career Opportunities in Singapore's Hospitality Sector (Insights)

At an event presented by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and Jobstreet, which was packed with fresh insights, career opportunities, and of course, plenty of chances to network with local hospitality pros, CareersCompass by Workforce Singapore had the opportunity to speak to these veterans on new workplace trends.
We spoke to Jessie Lim, Director of Guest Experience and Sustainability, Pullman Singapore Orchard, Alice Lee, Complex Director of Human Resources, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach and The St. Regis Singapore, and Syed Musaddiq, Chef Concierge, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.
They shared how the hospitality industry has changed in the aftermath of Covid-19, and how new tech and working systems are helping to provide more cost-efficient services and solutions. Nonetheless, these changes will require the workforce to gain new skills and mindsets.
For employers, they also shared thoughts on why reskilling and upskilling, as well as an emphasis on the career health for their workers, is ultimately a win-win proposition, and some examples of how their companies are working towards that end.
Key highlights to listen to:
(1:20) Expectations from customers means that nothing should be “tak jadi” (missing the mark in Malay).
(5:00) How stickers are helping one employer to aid their employees in reskilling and upskilling.
(8:29) Mindsets for workers in the hospitality industry have to change to learn new skills.
(9:00) Why career health is a win-win for employers, workers and jobseekers in the industry.
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Year-End Performance Appraisal: What to Expect and How to Ace it (Readiness)

It's that time of the year for appraisals. Are you ready?
In this episode of our Listen and Learn series, which covers the most popular content on CareersCompass, Workforce Singapore Principal Manager Kelvin Tan shares practical tips to prepare for your review, avoid common pitfalls, and engage effectively with your supervisor.
Discover how documenting accomplishments, asking the right questions, and setting mutual goals can enhance your career advancement.
Equip yourself with the knowledge to approach your review as a constructive dialogue for growth and success!
And of course, nab the bonus you're hoping for. Good luck! 
Key highlights to listen to:
(2:31) What to prepare for before the appraisal
(4:50) Secrets to having a good appraisal
(7:10) What to do after the appraisal
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Flexible Work Arrangements: How This Singapore Employer Is Making Work Schedules Win-win (Readiness)

As of December 2024, employers in Singapore must have a process in place for workers to make formal requests for flexi-work.
As such, many employers are making pivots in terms of how employees work schedules are being managed.
In this podcast, CareersCompass speaks to have Sui Huangbo, the Deputy Director of Nursing at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, to share how flexible work arrangements and scheduling are being implemented for nurses at her organization. 
We discuss what this means for those keen in the healthcare industry, as well as what learnings the hospital obtained in flexi-work arrangements that are useful for employers and employees alike.
Key highlights to listen to:
(2:31) How workforce scheduling can be designed for both workers and employers
(4:50) Who are the types of employees that flexi-work works best for, and how does this help the workplace?
(7:10) How better workforce scheduling also helps in taking in mid-careerists, and reskilling and upskilling for workers to improve their career health
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Inter-generational Teams: Why, and Which Employers Want to Hire From All Age Groups

Older workers are a crucial solution to the increasing strain that Singapore employers will face in our labour supply, and a shift towards a more inclusive workforce that recognises intergenerational teams is the new norm is happening.
We speak to Kai Ning, the co-founder of Courage Chapter, an organisation founded with a mission on changing the narrative around aging in the Singapore workforce, to share how to work in them, whether you're a Boomer or Gen Z worker, manager or employer!
Key Highlights to listen to:
(1:40) Which employers and sectors are starting to appreciate the value of intergenerational teams?
(6:47) What's the best way to manage and work within intergenerational teams?
(8:50) Managing communication: for both younger and older workers
Need personalised guidance in your job search? Register for a complimentary session with WSG’s Career Matching Services today and get the support you need.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Resume Tips: What Employers Really Want To See (Readiness)

Zarina Bakar, senior career coach with Workforce Singapore (WSG), shares more about how to prepare your resume when applying for jobs.
Key highlights to listen to: 
(1:30) Why fancy email names are a turn-off, not a turn-on
(1:55) Sharing your work experience: what to include and omit
Use these resume tips in your next job application! We have over 100,000 job opportunities on MyCareersFuture for you.
Find out more about WSG's programmes and services to help you in your career:https://www.wsg.gov.sg
Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here:https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf