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Navigating a job search can be daunting in today’s ever-evolving job market, especially during a season of transition. Whether you’re a recent graduate stepping into the professional world for the first time, a seasoned professional seeking a job change due to certain circumstances, or someone re-entering the workforce after a hiatus, the challenges can seem overwhelming.
Job hunting is more than just sending out resumes and waiting for a response; it’s about understanding your strengths, values and career goals, aligning them with the right opportunities, and presenting yourself in the best possible light. This is where career matching services become invaluable.
Career matching services bring in the expertise of a career coach to help you with the job search journey, despite what challenges you may be facing. Career coaches are more than advisors — they are strategic partners in your professional journey. They help you clarify your goals, build confidence and develop a personalised plan in line with your aspirations.
From refining your resume and enhancing your interview skills to uncovering hidden job markets and expanding your professional network, career coaching equips you with the tools and insights needed to stand out in a crowded job market and secure the job you’ve been dreaming of.
Andy Lim, senior career consultant, and Rebecca Ng, senior employer engagement partner from AKG Singapore, share more about how career matching services and career coaching can skyrocket your job search journey into success, especially if you’re navigating a transition in your career.
Understanding what career matching is
While the concept of career matching is not new, its interpretation to the layperson may seem fuzzy. In a nutshell, career matching is a process that aims to align an individual’s skills, interests, values and personality traits with suitable career options, says Rebecca.
“It helps individuals find careers that are not only viable based on their qualifications and experience but also fulfilling and aligned with their personal preferences and goals,” she says.
Her colleague Andy agrees, adding that the goal of career matching is to identify appropriate careers that best suit a person’s unique profile. This, in turn, enhances job satisfaction, performance, and overall career success. “Career matching,” he says, “offers a structured approach to making informed career decisions and achieving professional fulfilment.”
However, not everyone fully understands what jobs suit them best. In their line of work, both Andy and Rebecca have seen numerous common mistakes that job seekers make during their job search, hindering their success. Undoubtedly, the desire to find a job quickly, especially when an individual is in a season of unemployment, adds to the stress, too.
One such mistake is not knowing one’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, values, and personality traits before leaping into the job search process. “This can result in poor job satisfaction, decreased performance, and high turnover rates,” reveals Andy.
He then suggests the importance of using self-assessment tools like personality tests and reflecting on past experiences to help individuals identify what is fulfilling.
Another common mistake made is how individuals may neglect the importance of building a strong personal brand. Rebecca highlights that a strong personal brand “helps professionals stand out in a competitive job market and shapes how others perceive your professional abilities and credibility”. As such, not showcasing relevant skills and accomplishments can hinder career advancement.
Andy agrees, addressing also the importance of maintaining a professional online presence because many employers are researching potential candidates online.
“Regularly updating LinkedIn profiles with the latest experiences and achievements, ensuring online profiles reflect a professional brand, and being mindful of social media activity can positively impact a professional image,” he shares.
Other common mistakes include submitting generic resumes and cover letters that do not tailor their experiences and skills to the job they’re applying for or having unrealistic expectations about job roles, salaries and career progression without first researching industry standards.
Andy stresses that it is important for individuals to address these mistakes to “take a more strategic and effective approach to their career management and job search, improving their chances of finding satisfying and successful career opportunities.”
Tapping on the prowess of career matching
AKG Singapore, one of the career matching providers working with Workforce Singapore, has structured Career Matching Programmes that aim to help jobseekers better navigate their career paths and make informed decisions. Such programmes help jobseekers in any situation – whether navigating a career switch, regaining confidence after retrenchment or returning from a career break – to address their specific needs and challenges in their job search journey through personalised guidance and resources.
Says Andy, “The programme focuses on the job search by suggesting targeted career paths and providing a structured job search strategy, making the process more efficient and increasing success rates.”
Rebecca goes on to add that with career matching, career coaches help to identify skill gaps and offer resources or recommendations for training and development to improve employability.
Read Also: Learn How to Write a Good Resume After a Retrenchment
One unique offering of AKG is its Employer Engagement Team, of which Rebecca is a part. She shares that the team plays a crucial role in assisting jobseekers through partnerships built with employers across various industries. This creates a pipeline of job opportunities for jobseekers while helping employers meet their staffing needs.
“We also host career fairs and networking events, and this holistic approach is a great way to bridge the gap between jobseekers and employers, and ultimately enhancing everyone’s chances of finding the right fit,” she says.
Watch the full video with Andy and Rebecca of AKG Singapore.
