Build your career with job search strategies and career advice with our latest podcasts.
They’ll impart key tips to help job applicants choose the best role, which suits their expertise, lifestyle and expected salary. We also share insights from seasoned career advisors about how one should seek employment!
In addition, you’ll learn relatable experiences from fresh graduates and long-serving experts to give our users invaluable content for their job search.
(NEW!) How This Middle-aged Singaporean Improved His Career Health With Polaris by WSG
In this podcast, we speak with Malcolm Chen, who recently attended a career guidance programme called Polaris by Workforce Singapore.
If you haven’t heard about Polaris, here’s a quick rundown: It’s 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 honing their expertise in a specific role.
He shares more about his career journey, how he found value in speaking with a career coach to uncover his workplace personality and gain clarity on actionable steps for his long-term career health. Learn more about his experience here!
Key highlights to listen to:
(2:00) While it’s surprising that Polaris is for those who currently have jobs, rather than the unemployed, here’s the reason why.
(4:41) What exactly goes on in Polaris, and why Malcolm found it helpful.
(6:13) Understanding what we can do better in our jobs and planning our careers are the key parts of Polaris.
(9:29) Malcolm: “Our focus on comparing each other on salaries and career achievements is hurting us more than we realise.”
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?
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 three 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?
Year-End Performance Appraisal: What to Expect and How to Ace it
Preparing for a performance review might be daunting. Learn how to prepare for your year-end appraisals and help boost your career journey.
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
(NEW!)Singapore’s Hospitality Industry: New Trends That Matter to Career Health
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.
(NEW!)Fractional Roles: Why They’re Win-win For Singapore’s Employers and Workers
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.
(NEW!) Design Thinking for Later and Longer Careers: How Should Singaporean Workers Start Planning Ahead?
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
FWAs: How This Singapore Employer Is Making Work Schedules Win-win
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
Intergenerational teams: Why Employers Are Embracing Hiring From Different Age Spectrums
The fact is, older workers are a crucial solution to the increasing strain that Singapore employers will face in our labour supply, especially keeping in mind the growth of Singapore’s resident labour force is expected to slow down.
It is thus important to move towards a more inclusive workforce that recognises the importance of learning from and growing alongside our ageing population.
So, on today’s podcast we have Kai Ning, the co-founder of Courage Chapter, an organisation founded with a mission on changing the narrative around aging in the Singapore workforce. She shares why inter-generational teams is the new norm, and 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 inter-generational teams?
- (6:47) What’s the best way to manage and work within inter-generational teams?
- (8:50) Managing communication between older and younger workers
How Career Coaching and the New JS Scheme Can Help This Singaporean Recover From Retrenchment
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had previously announced the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme during his National Day Rally speech on August 18 2024.
Those who suffer unemployment, due to retrenchment or cessation of business, will have access to the JS scheme to help them bounce back in their careers, which will provide a total of $6,000 in temporary financial support for up to six months.
We also spoke to Chay, a recently retrenched marketing executive in her 30s. She believes that the JS scheme will be good for those who face sudden news of retrenchment and unemployment, as the financial support alleviates the impact from temporary employment loss while the individual actively looks for the next job.
Listen to the podcast and learn more about the scheme, and how Chay is working with a career coach to bounce back fast from her retrenchment!
Key highlights to listen to:
- (2:05) How career advisory has helped Chay
- (3:05) The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme: How does it really help Chay?
- (3:35) “Everyone wakes up in the morning and think their career is fine…”
How AI Can Boost Your Job Search and Interviews
In the latest edition of our Listen and Learn format, WSG Principal Manager Kelvin Tan shares a selection of a popular piece on CareersCompass by MyCareersFuture with tips on how artificial-intelligence (AI) tools can give you a competitive edge, helping you craft tailored applications that stand out, and get the job and salary you want.
Key tricks you’ll learn include:
- (1:33) What are the latest AI tools to help with your resume and CV?
- (2:10) The pros and cons of using AI tools as part of your resume-building
- (4:30) Ethical factors to consider when using AI tools
How to Successfully Request For That Salary Increment! (Readiness)
In the latest edition of our Listen and Learn format, WSG senior manager Nur Ilham Ismail shares a selection of a popular piece on CareersCompass by MyCareersFuture with tips for mature workers to take the next step in their careers, or shift into an entirely new field.
Key tricks you’ll learn include:
- When is the best time to ask for a salary raise
- The key factors in negotiating for that increment
- How to plan ahead for the conversation
Reskilling and Upskilling for the Finance Industry: What Matters Now? (Insight)
The two key buzzwords in the finance and asset management industry in Singapore these days: decarbonisation and digitalisation.
But these new forefronts also need new skills, and some in the industry, or those looking to join it, may find it hard to figure out what’s the best way forward in terms of reskilling and upskilling to stay relevant and employable.
To find out more, Workforce Singapore spoke to Chiew Chun Wee, the Regional Head of Policy of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), who shared about why upskilling and reskilling is important when it comes to long-term career planning for the finance industry, and some key things to understand about learning about sustainable finance and digitalisation in the industry.
Working Mums: How to Balance Motherhood and Career (Tenacity)
Working women should not have to choose between their career and their families, and they should be able to pursue their professional ambitions without feeling guilt or compromise towards their children!
With planning, greater understanding and some practical strategies, it is possible to manage the delicate balance between work and family.
Some key points mothers in the workforce, or looking to rejoin it should consider:
- Equality at home is about shared responsibility
- Don’t focus on society’s standards, but on your own personal journey
- How children actually learn good life lessons from having mother’s who are working
- What programmes can help if you’re a mother looking to return back to the workforce, and one Singaporean mum’s advice about how to succeed at it.
In the latest edition of our Listen and Learn format, WSG manager Aye Mon shares a selection of a popular piece with tips for working mums on how to manage the delicate balance between work and family.
AI Taking Our Jobs – How Worried Should Singaporeans Really Be? (Insights)
When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), some level of anxiety does exist amongst Singaporean workers, as the technology continues to revolutionise and change both how we work, and the jobs available in the marketplace as well.
Some key questions Singaporean workers have asked include:
- What does AI mean for middle-aged and/or middle-income workers and jobseekers?
- Does AI mean having to learn coding and other high-end technology skills that require specialised training?
- How will AI be integrated into our jobs, even for those working in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)?
To find out more, we spoke to Justin Chan, a lecturer in communication design at Temasek Polytechnic, who shared about how AI is just the next phase of digital transformation for both Singaporean workers and businesses, and some key things to understand about relearning for it.
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Why Building Career Resilience Should Be Your New Year Resolution (Tenacity)
Career resilience has been a hot topic for Singaporean workers that arose in recent years, and will likely still be important for a long while.
But what exactly is it, and why should Singaporean workers be aspiring to make building career resilience their new year’s resolution?
In this podcast, we host Jana Dawson, the Head of Content and Learning at the School of Positive Psychology in Singapore to share on the “myths of resilience”- how Singaporeans get resilience wrong, and how to really be more resilient.
6 Tips Mature Workers Can Use to Reinvent Their Careers (Readiness)
Mature workers don’t have to stay in the same career for their whole lives. A wealth of opportunities make it possible to reinvent your prospects through a mid-career switch or a fresh return to the workforce.
While job openings might exist for mature workers across virtually every industry, the way you conduct your job search might be a little different to younger professionals.
In this episode of our Listen and Learn podcast series, Annie Teh, senior manager at Workforce Singapore, reveals six helpful tips for Singapore’s mature workers to rejuvenate their careers and find a rewarding role that offers the income, stability and happiness to remain in the workforce.
Worried About Reaching Your Career Goals? Here Are Some Tips for Singapore’s Broad Middle Workers (Insights)
Shane Yan, the co-founder of Growth Beans, shares how being too kiasu about getting certificates and attending training courses for the sake of it can lead to “death by paper”.
In addition, she also elaborates on why being paiseh to network is only hurting your career and, ultimately, how to decide and balance between passion and practicality when setting career goals and aspirations at different stages of your life.
Juggling Study with Work Mid-Career Can Be Tough – Here’s Some Advice (Growth)
Yes, you want to reskill and upskill for your career. But hitting the books when you’re older has its own learning curve. Kaylene Wong, a director at John Ethans International, an integrated HR services firm, shares more in this podcast about how she managed.
Job Postings: Get To The Most Important Bits To Focus On (Insights)
Julian Quek, a senior manager at Workforce Singapore, shares some quick tips on how to read a job posting, and figure out what are the most important bits to focus on!
Leveraging your Networks & Professional Relationships for Career Success (Insights)
It takes an ecosystem & network to develop our careers or even change career paths. But we can be our own obstacles when we connect & build up a network.
Shane Yan & Shamantha Yan, co-founders of Growth Beans discuss on connecting with others in professional settings.
Career Resilience: Staying Strong to ensure Career Success
Shane Yan & Shamantha Yan, co-founders of Growth Beans share three factors of career resilience, and how you can apply it in your career.
Learn about the success stories of those who have applied it, and be inspired to create your own!
Improving Your Interview Demeanor: How To Come Across Better As a Candidate
Thomas Tang, a senior career coach with Workforce Singapore (WSG), shares some growth insights on improving your vibe with potential interviewers.
Interview 101: Body Language, What You Say, and the Small Details Matter
Lin Peili, a senior career coach with Workforce Singapore (WSG), delves into what matters when prepping for crucial interviews, virtual or real-world.
Resume Tips: What Employers Really Want To See
Zarina Bakar, senior career coach with Workforce Singapore (WSG), shares more about how to prepare your resume when applying for jobs.
Are Bad Career Waves Crashing? Here’s How to Stay Afloat
Ms Eileen Seah, Organizational Psychologist, Executive Coach & the founder of The Art of Career, shares how to keep calm and carry on when the career waters are rocky.
How to Make Any Potential Employer Remember You
Ms Eileen Seah, Organizational Psychologist, Executive Coach & the founder of The Art of Career, reveals the tips and tricks to leave a lasting first impression.
Want Higher Pay? Here’s How To Negotiate For More
Dr Christopher Fong, Managing Partner and Lead Consultant at Psych.line Consultants, shares some further tips on the strategies that matter when it comes to asking for more money.
Managing Rejections Can be Hard. Here’s How to Move Past Them
Dr Tan Buck Chye, Principal Trainer and Managing Director at Tony Buzan Learning Centre, shares how you can face rejection and bounce back after.
Proven Strategies to Help With Your Successful Career Relaunch
Ms Shub Faujdar, Managing Director of Jobs-Me Singapore, reveals your gameplan to kickstart your career if it stalls.
What Recruiters Look Out for in a Jobseeker’s Credit Report
The Credit Bureau shares more why your credit report matters when it comes to finding your next job.
Are You a Fresh Grad Joining the Workforce? Here’s Some Friendly Advice
Ariele Tan, an intern at Workforce Singapore’s (WSG) Corporate Marketing & Communications Division, and Jenny Chiang a Senior Career Coach from WSG’s Career Services Division, talk about the various worries and concerns a fresh grad will have, graduating during the pandemic.
Communicating Your Value: How to Explain a Career Gap for Female Jobseekers
We get it- sometimes a break from your career was necessary, perhaps due to caregiving duties. Here’s how to still showcase your best professional self to potential employers.
Learn How and Why a Positive Job Mindset Matters if You’re a Jobseeker!
Shub Faujdar, the head of training and development at Alcott Global, shares how to keep your chin up during a job search.
Deciding on a Mid-Career Switch? Here’s Some Help for Employees and Jobseekers
It can be difficult trying to take the leap on changing industry or career specialties. Dr Christopher Fong (Principal Consultant, Psych. Line) shares his insights.
Why Companies Love to Hire Women Who Want to Return to the Workforce!
Shub Faujdar, the head of training and development at Alcott Global, shares why Singapore companies are keen to give back-to-work-women a chance to return to the workforce, and what they bring to the table.
How VIPS (Values, Interests, Personality and Skills) Can Affect an Employee’s Career!
The first step when starting a career – to look into our own VIPS. Learn more in this podcast here.
The Potential of Singapore’s Healthcare Sector, and Why You Should Consider Working in it
Healthcare is a growing industry and need for many citizens- learn why it’s worth considering for mid-career switchers!
Master the Art of Answering Tough Interview Questions if You’re a Jobseeker
Don’t get tongue-tied trying to answer tough job interview questions- listen to some good answers in this podcast episode!
Become a Master Negotiator When it Comes to Your Salary, Whether You’re an Employee or Jobseeker
Don’t shortchange yourself in the pay department by being bad at negotiating- here’s how to get what you deserve in this podcast episode.
