How to Find a Job in Singapore After College Graduation

9 Essential Tips for Post-graduation Job Seekers in Singapore

Here are our 9 top tips for landing your first job after graduation, but don’t wait until after you graduate to start your job search. Start with the end game in mind before you graduate and have a career plan or at least an idea of what your first job will be.

Your first job will most likely not be your last job, but it will be the first run on your career ladder.

Start networking for jobs in your penultimate year.
Start applying for jobs within the first few months of your final year.
Contact as many people as possible.
Attend Meetups
Have an elevator pitch ready.
Have an up-to-date CV and cover letter.
Approach companies you would like to work for.
Approach your job search like a job.
Upload your CV to FutureWork.sg

How Long Does it Take a Recent College Graduate to Find a Job?

Over 50% of all college graduates are unemployed or working in a job that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree.

It takes the average college graduate 3 to six months to secure gainful employment after graduation.

Students benefit from having a career-seeking strategy in place a year before graduation along with previous work (voluntary and charity) experience.

What to Do If You Can’t Get a Job After Graduation

Stay positive. Don’t be upset or surprised if you don’t have a job by graduation day.
Reduce your cost of living.
Continue networking and attending Meetups.
Exercise and stay active.
Broaden your job search.
Build your skill set.
Take up an internship or volunteer position.

If you haven’t read part I of our ‘How to Find Graduate Jobs in Singapore’ click here.

Below is the second and final part of our How to Find Grad Jobs [IG] series:

Keep a Yesterday Journal

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Keep a ‘Yesterday’ journal to capture all your experiences. From there you can go over what happend and formulate your ideas and thoughts for tomorrow. It’s a fast way to learn but don’t wait for tomorrow, start today. #gradcareers #gradjobtips #graduatejobsearch #graduatejobs #gradjobs #gradjob #graduates #journaling #yesterdayjournal #sgjobs #singaporejobs #singapore #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on Apr 29, 2019 at 7:38pm PDT

Be Ready to Work

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It goes without saying, but it needs to be said, show up on time, dress the part, be prepared, hit deadlines, collaborate and communicate. Master these skills before you start work and be at the top of your class. #grads #graduates #graduate #gradjobs #graduatejobs #gradcareers #gradjobtips #graduatejobsearch #firstjob #newjob #sgjobs #singaporejobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 1, 2019 at 9:38pm PDT

Find a Mentor

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Find a mentor you can trust to help you navigate the twist and turns of your new career and beyond. Want to accelerate your career growth… get a mentor! #mentor #mentorship #graduates #gradcareers #graduates #graduatejobsearch #gradadvice #gradjobtips #singapore #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 6, 2019 at 8:53pm PDT

Stay Hungry!

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No we don’t mean taking extra long lunch breaks. Quite the opposite. Go the extra mile, come in early, stay late, take on extra challenges and offer to assist on new projects. #graduates #grads #gradjobs #gradjob #gradjobtips #graduatejobsearch #graduatejobs #graduatejobhunt #singaporegrads #sggrad #stayhungry #sgjobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 8, 2019 at 8:10pm PDT

Create a Positive Brand

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Take every opportunity to create a path to success. Your personal brand is your work ethic and your interactions with colleagues. Make them all count to build a positive brand that will serve you well throughout your career. #positivebrand #selfbranding #buildabrand #brand #gradadvice #grads #graduates #gradcareers #graduatejobsearch #gradjobtips #singapore #sgjobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 13, 2019 at 11:27pm PDT

Look Beyond Your Degree

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Don’t feel resticted by your degree.there are many paths to choose from. Many entry level positions require a general bachelors degree. Your experiences and aptitude can open many more doors. Never be afraid of taking a path less travelled. #grads #graduates #gradadvice #gradcareers #graduatejobsearch #gradjobs #graduatejobhunt #gradjobtips #graduatejobs #gradjob #graduated? #sgjobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 16, 2019 at 1:52am PDT

Work Hard – Stay Humble

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Employees want to see graduates who are ready, willing and able to grow. Demonstrate all the necessary traits and qualifications for the job but also be humble and ask questions. #workhard #stayhumble #careerdevelopment #grads #graduates #gradadvice #gradcareers #graduatejobs #graduatejobsearch #gradjobtips #sggrads #singaporegrads #jobssg #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 21, 2019 at 3:33am PDT

Take Advantage of Additional Training

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Seek out and accept training when it’s offered. This will experiences will fill out you cv and show employers you are willing to learn new skills and are adaptable. #training #willingtolearn #onthejobtraining #grads #graduates #gradtraining #graduatetraining #gradjobs #gradjobadvice #gradjobtips #graduatejobsearch #postgraduation #sgjobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 22, 2019 at 10:52pm PDT

Install a Mindset of Continued Learning

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Mindset trumps skillset. Skills can be obsolete in 2 to five years. A mindset of learning and a thirst for knowledge it will serve graduates as they keep mastering new skills for future job opportunities. #mindset #skillset #continuedlearning #lifeoflearning #graduates #gradadvice #grads #gradjobtips #gradjob #graduatejobsearch #graduatejobs #sgjobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 27, 2019 at 11:50pm PDT

Say “YES” more and Learn from Mistakes

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Don’t be afraid to say “yes” more. You will learn valuable lessons and discover strengths you didn’t evem know you had. You will be stronger as an individual and as a team player when you learn to handle adversity. #grads #grad #graduates #graduate #gradadvice #gradjobtips #gradcareers #firstjob #newjob #jobtips #yes #positive #sgjobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on May 29, 2019 at 6:50pm PDT

Do Your Research

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It goes without saying, but we will say it anyway, research the industry or job you are targeting. Connect with professionals in the industry and search online for preferred requirements and create an achievement based CV of your skills, knowledge and work experience to fit the target job. #jobresearch #research #grads #gradadvice #gradjobtips #firstjob #findajob #graduatecv #graduates #graduatejobsearch #sgjobs #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on Jun 4, 2019 at 3:15am PDT

Be Curious

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Ask hard questions, ask obvious questions, just ask questions! Often asking the right questions will lead to better outcomes. So be brave and be curious and learn by asking questions. #questions #becurious #askquestions #gradadvice #gradjobtips #gradcareers #grads #graduates #graduatejobsearch #graduatejobs #findajobyoulove #sgjobs #sggrads #futureworksg

A post shared by Future Work (@futureworksg) on Jun 5, 2019 at 8:31pm PDT