To better support your journey beyond graduation, check out the ECG Guide below to kick-start your career preparation or to explore further education opportunities. The guide provides useful information on taking the next steps towards achieving your career goals.
Have questions or need further advice? You are welcome to stay connected with our friendly Education and Career Coaches who will guide and inspire you towards achieving your aspirations.
After graduation, you may be uncertain of your future plans or are unsure of the options available to you. Here are some tips to guide you in taking the next steps.
Start with the end in mind. Do a stocktake of your key interests, strengths and skills you have honed over the years. Ask yourself this question – “What are some career goals that I have?” This question also applies if you are planning to pursue further studies after graduating from RP. If you are still uncertain about your next step, take the self-assessment test available on MySkillsFuture portal and find out about strengths and career interests.
You can consider any of the following options upon graduation: - Full-time Employment - Work and Study - Further Studies When considering these options, you may begin by charting out your short-term, mid-term and long-term goals. If you are thinking about taking on full-time employment, consider practical aspects like employment remuneration package, work location and career progression. If you are considering study while working full-time, you may check out RP ACE's SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes or other SkillsFuture Work-Study Post-Diploma Programmes designed to provide Polytechnic graduates like you a head-start in careers related to your discipline of study. If you are considering further studies, think about your preferred course(s) of study, available financial resources and family commitments amongst others.
To discover career opportunities related to your diploma course you can: a) Find out from your lecturers and industry mentors (e.g. colleagues and supervisors from your internship company) about the relevant qualifications you should possess to work in your preferred industry, as well as the work culture and environment of the same industry. b) Be open-minded – explore beyond careers that are directly related to your diploma course. Find out about the adjacent industries and jobs and consider applying for these adjacent jobs. Adjacent jobs are jobs that you could potentially apply for, but are perhaps lacking in one of two required skills.
Gather all your work experiences, including internship and part-time work, and list the skills and competencies you have acquired both at work and in RP. Reflect these experiences on your resume and cover letter. Always customise your resume and cover letter based on the job roles that you are applying for. Remember to progressively update your resume and cover letter to make it more interesting.
Think of people whom you may list as your referees in your resume. You will need to seek your referees’ agreement to be included in your resume before submitting their names, job titles and contact details to your potential employers. If you performed well during your internship, consider requesting a letter of commendation or reference from your internship supervisor. Good references may also come from supervisors from your part-time employment or organisations you have worked at or volunteered in.
Perfect that elevator pitch! It is very important to plan and prepare for an interview. The lack of adequate planning and preparation for an interview is one of the greatest pitfalls at the job application stage.
While you can never be overdressed, first impression matters in order to ace that interview. Plan for an appropriate interview outfit and dress according to the workplace requirements.
If you are planning to go for further studies, you can begin by: a) Researching about further studies at local and foreign universities; b) Finding out about the application period(s) of your preferred course(s); and c) Familiarising yourself with the entry requirements and selection criteria of your preferred course(s). You should find out about course interviews, portfolio submissions, interview tests, etc. If you are considering further studies at a private education institution (PEI), you can also conduct research by visiting the Committee for Private Education’s website to prepare and familiarise yourself with the PEIs.
Having a mentor who shares rich experience and tips to work around challenging situations is definitely a plus as it makes that transition to work life less stressful and eases the initial steep learning curve.
You are always welcome to discuss your career options and further studies opportunities with an Education and Career Coach. To access online career-related services and schedule an online appointment with an Education and Career Coach, visit go.gov.sg/ecgappt. RP Career Centre is committed to helping you become career-ready. Get in touch with your Education and Career Coaches today!
References:
Speed up your job search process! Use these Tools and Resources to guide you in seeking employment.
1. MySkillsFuture is a one-stop education, training and career guidance online portal that guides you to plan your training and career progression. The portal hosts various self-assessment tests to help you discover your career interests, skills and work values. You can also search for suitable specific and adjacent jobs by exploring industry insights across major sectors. 2. Access the Skills Framework to learn about the job opportunities and career pathways within various industries. 3. Visit the website of Committee for Private Education to further research on essential information while deciding on further studies at a private education institution. 4. For foreign graduates, you may find out from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website information on eligibility and application for different work passes. For Tuition Grant Scheme, visit the Ministry of Education (MOE) website for more details. 5. Make an appointment with your Education and Career Coach today and gain exclusive access to updated Labour Market Information and stay attuned to market expectations and employer demands.
There are many job and career portals available for job search purposes and you will be able to perform keyword search on most of them. With this keyword search function you can view available jobs either by companies, job positions or categories such as sectors and skills.
You are always encouraged to conduct a broad-based job search to enhance your chances of being called for an interview and securing a job. To begin a broad-based job search, indicate your key skills in the relevant search fields to access more adjacent jobs. While these adjacent jobs may not be directly related to your diploma course, they are still potential job areas which you may consider in your job search.
Whether you are seeking employment or contemplating further education, bear in mind your goals and reasons for making the decision.Check out these tips and strategies that may be useful while exploring your options:
Instead of waiting for that perfect job, focus on getting your foot into the specific or adjacent industry. Adjacent opportunities often turn out to be a good stepping stone towards getting your dream job. This could mean accepting a job position offered by your internship company, a job that pays a lower than expected salary, or other job positions that do not meet some of your expectations. In times of uncertainty, try to keep your options open and explore beyond your dream or ideal job.
If you are offered a salary that is lower than expected, stay positive by giving your best and performing above expectations. Your positive work attitude will be recognised and paid off by your employer eventually as you consistently produce good results.
You may have to apply for many jobs and be called for a few interviews. Persevere and continue to conduct research on the industry, study each potential company carefully and understand each job offer thoroughly. Leverage and highlight your relevant skillsets to help potential employers see the fit between you, the organisation and the job role.
It is not uncommon for job seekers to face stiff competition when securing employment. When encountering such challenges, tap on your connections and keep an open mind. Seek advice and guidance and consider every job opening as a potential one for you.
Your transition from polytechnic to the world of work may be an exciting yet daunting process. If you are an RP alumnus within three years of graduation or completion of NS, you can seek education and career guidance services at RP Career Centre. Visit go.gov.sg/ecgappt to book an appointment with our Education and Career Coaches or Career Advisor.
Stay open minded. Things aren't always what they seem. Scottie Waves