How To Successfully Pull Off A Career Switch In Singapore

 

Late last year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released data on job vacancies in Singapore reflecting software, Web and multimedia developers as the top jobs in demand as of September 2023.

In 2024, things are looking brighter for employees who are looking for a change in careers, especially in growth sectors including information and communications technology (ICT), tech, and finance.

Following the Budget 2024 announcement, this year sees an exceptional boost in support from the Singapore government for mid-career workers above 40, with a S$4,000 top up in SkillsFuture credits from May 2024. These credits can be used for selected training courses, including part-time and full-time diploma, post-diploma and undergraduate programmes. For those pursuing selected full-time diploma or enrolling in full-time courses, there will also be subsidies or a training allowance.

If you’re considering switching careers, keep reading to find out how to pivot into some of the most in-demand job sectors in Singapore

Invest Today And Earn Financial Returns Later

Switching careers is easier said than done, especially when you have accumulated years of experience and expertise in your field.

However, it’s important to think long-term and view potential expenses (i.e. career coaches, workshops, and courses) as an investment in your future. In order to have a fighting chance at securing a job in a new field, you need to show that you have what it takes. Besides a financial commitment, you will also need to invest enough time to make it work. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most in-demand industries in Singapore.

1. Data Analysis

This industry has already gained traction since before the pandemic. As data is often considered the ‘new oil’, it’s no surprise that jobs related to data analysis, such as data scientists, are high in demand.

While it certainly helps to have a related degree, it’s not always necessary, as many other jobs and industries require a very similar skill set. In order to succeed in data analysis roles you will need the ability to gather large amounts of data, simplify complex matters and have a feel for the story that the data tells. This set of skills is also used in marketing roles as well journalistic jobs.

Yes, there surely is a lot more to it. However, it’s important to remember that you will also learn on the job. Nobody starts out knowing everything.  What is important is showing that you have a keen interest in the field and take your first steps towards acquiring the knowledge. One way of doing that is by taking courses, such as General Assembly’s Data Science Bootcamp. If you’re not quite sure yet, Google offers professional certificate courses for you to get a flavour before investing further.

2. Finance

Another industry that offers great long-term job prospects and is sought after by Singaporeans is the banking and finance industry. If you don’t have a finance degree or MBA, don’t lose hope just yet.

Do you have analytical and problem-solving skills? Are your interpersonal skills above average? If so, then you might have a future in the financial industry. After all, open and clear communication is one of the most important abilities in this field, in addition to the competencies you need for specific roles such as accounting and auditing.

If you are looking to learn more, you can consider doing a MSc in Applied Finance (MAF) from the Singapore Management University (SMU). This course will equip you with the necessary skills as well as the practical experience to be successful in this space.

Healthcare

It’s perhaps a less obvious choice, but the healthcare industry is becoming increasingly popular among Singaporeans switching careers. There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that you do need to have some training and that this industry might not be for the faint-hearted. The good news is that there are numerous courses and classes that help you to gain the necessary skills.

For example, both NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies and Nanyang Polytechnic offer classes, courses and even bachelor degrees in nursing and related specialities. If you are serious about this switch and have an eager mind that wants to learn, then a career switch to the healthcare sector might be for you.

Other Career Switch Tips

Regardless of what industry you plan on switching to, it’s crucial to identify the skills you will need to break into your new career as well as those skills that you already have.

If you don’t know where to start, consider speaking with a career coach, who will help you analyse your academic, professional, and technical skills. This can help you to identify gaps on your resume and plan the right steps to reach your goal. Be sure to give yourself enough lead time to go through the following steps:

1. Do your research

Before jumping head-first into a new role, make sure you do your due diligence and find out as much as you can about the job.

This includes salary, job scope, future prospects, and more. Additionally, you’ll want to factor in the costs needed to successfully transition into your new career path. This is where you can tap on your network for more information.

Otherwise, you can always do a search on LinkedIn to find out who are the industry leaders or people working in the company you would like to join, introduce yourself, and ask politely for more details.

Cost Breakdown To Switch Careers In Singapore

3. Take a class or course

Once you are sure about your choice, it’s time to get serious. A class or course that lets you pick up the skills that you will need to pursue a new role is a good gauge to get an authentic feeling for what the role will be like. The length of these courses ranges from half a day to several months – pick what works best for you. You can search course websites such as Coursera and Udemy for a sense of in-demand skills and specialisations from the courses available.

4. Upgrade your skills

After your research and the course, you will have a very good idea of what you are good at and what you still need to master to get a job in your new chosen industry. Be it reading, self-learning, workshops or side-projects – there are different ways of acquiring these skills.

5. Market yourself

When you feel ready to challenge yourself with the job interview, you need to first update your resume, create an account on job sites or LinkedIn and upload them in your profile. As most job sites have an algorithm that picks out certain keywords for specific job roles, take note of the keywords that your industry hirers will look out for.

If you work in a creative industry, it’s possible to create a portfolio for free on websites such as Wix and Square Space, or even build your own professional website.

The Importance Of Continuous Up-skilling

Don’t underestimate the advantage that a university degree or a specialised course of study can give you. Gaining a suitable qualification can open up new job opportunities and career prospects. If you need financial assistance to take the leap of faith and invest in your education, there are many low-cost borrowing options such as education loans and personal loans available in Singapore.

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