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Create Your Career Path and Establish Your Brand

Embarking on career planning is a journey of self-discovery that involves exploring your passions, interests, skills, and values. It can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. In this guide, we will explore some tips and strategies to help you navigate the process and find a fulfilling career.

01 Know Yourself

To identify the type of profession that is right for you, you need to start with yourself, by defining your VIPS.

Defining these will help you find a job that aligns with who you are, what you are interested in and what you are good at.

Image source: CareerGuide

Get started on your VIPs:

Download this guide from MyCareersFuture to find out how to define your VIPS

Try out some assessment tools to help define your personality, skills, interests, and values.

02 Know The Industry

Once you have a clear understanding of your VIPS it is time to explore which industries will be a great match for your interests and skills.

Here are 5 ways to research industries and career opportunities:

Read articles and resources such as these on emerging job roles and skills in demand will give a long-term view on future opportunities.

Explore the resources from MySkillsFuture on roles in Singapore's major industries.

Investigate the job market for each industry. Look into current job openings, expected salary ranges, and required qualifications using LinkedIn, job boards, and salary guides

Research industries and Companies using databases like IBISWorld, Statista, and MarketResearch.com

Take a virtual experience from Forage to work on a real project from various sectors.

Forage

When you have narrowed down your list of top industries and roles, you will want to make sure you stay up to date and gain relevant skills.

Here are a few ideas to get started:

Join industry-related clubs and societies at NUS. See the full directory here

Join Industry associations or interests in Singapore. Interested in a career in AI? Join AI Singapore

Research the websites of companies in the industry.

Follow industry leaders, companies, and influencers on social media platforms.

Review job postings to gain a sense of the skills, experience, and qualifications in demand.

Take an online course to gain foundational skills needed in these sectors

Career discovery chats via informational interviews

Video source: Stanford Life Design Lab

Desk research is helpful, but if you want to find out what it is really like to work in the industry, you will need to talk to people who already do!

Find working professionals and seniors you can connect with for an informational interview. There is no better way to really find out if it is right for you!

How to find candidates for informational interviews?

Reach out to other working professionals in your target industries via LinkedIn.

Ask for referrals via friends, family members, colleagues, and anyone else you meet!

03 Define Your Personal Brand

When you have a good understanding of what you can offer your chosen industries, it is time to create your personal brand. But what exactly is a personal brand?

A personal brand communicates who you are and the value you bring. It is the image and reputation you project, and how others perceive you.

Follow these four steps to develop a personal brand to stand out in a crowded job market:

Step 1: Define your values, strengths, and skills—use your VIPS!

Step 2: Define your target audience.

What is the profile of industry professionals you’ll need to reach to find your role?
How can your VIPS serve their needs and add value?

Step 3: Work on your unique value proposition and craft your personal brand statement

Step 4: Communicate your value via your online profile and in your interactions with your network – more on this in the next section!

Build your brand with authenticity. Be true to yourself and maintain consistency across all channels and interactions. Consistency fosters trust and enables others to understand what to expect from you.

04 Communicate Your Personal Brand

Communicate your brand via your online profile

Image source: PersonAcclerated

Your online profile is your permanent place to showcase your brand to potential employers, your network and your peers. As LinkedIn is the top professional networking site, it is essential to create a professional LinkedIn profile in order to find, and be found by potential employers.

Download this checklist to ensure you have all the basic elements to create a great LinkedIn profile.

Once you have created your profile on LinkedIn, replicate it on other networking sites and reach out to a wider network:

Industry associations / Volunteer organisations
Create your own personal website

Communicate your brand via personal introductions

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Your personal brand should be reflected in every communication you make, online and in person, and it should be conveyed to everyone you meet.

Create and practice your own self-introduction to:

Make a positive first impression
Establish credibility
Be memorable

Here are five questions to craft a memorable self-introduction:

What sets you apart?

What is it you would like to be known for?

What problems do you solve?

What are you passionate about?

What’s the change you would like to make in the world?

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Want to know more about defining your VIPS, personal branding, and finding a career that’s right for you?

Register for CFG’s essential career courses based on your year of study:

CFG1002 Career Catalyst

For year 1 or 2 undergraduates.

Learn more

CFG3001 Career Advancement

For year 3 or 4 undergraduates.

Learn more

You can also reach out to your career advisor for tailored advice about finding the right career for you!

Ask CeeVee

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