Your first job may not be your dream job, and that’s okay, fresh grads told at SPH Media Career Expo

Fresh graduates attending the SPH Media Career Expo in Singapore were reminded that their first job may not be their dream job, according to employers and HR experts. Derrick Teo, CEO of Elitez Group, emphasized that jobseekers should not become too fixated on landing their ideal role or a specific starting salary. Instead, they should evaluate opportunities based on factors like learning, growth, and working closely with decision-makers. Teo encouraged a longer-term perspective, advising that "life is a marathon, not a sprint."

SMRT's director of human capital management, Terence Low, highlighted that standout candidates are those with the right attitude, willingness to learn and grow, and the ability to take on responsibilities. Low noted that resumes crafted using AI often appear impressive, but to truly stand out, candidates must demonstrate real-world experiences and how they have applied AI to enhance their work or develop solutions.

Skills Development Academy founder and CEO, Jim Giam, urged candidates to go beyond merely listing AI skills on their resumes. Instead, they should showcase specific instances where they leveraged AI to improve performance or devise innovative solutions, emphasizing resourcefulness as a key differentiator.

The two-day expo featured 34 employers, agencies, and training providers from sectors including aviation, healthcare, transport, security, and real estate. Attendees, like Angeline Yeo, a mid-career switcher, found the discussions insightful. Yeo intends to consider additional criteria, such as the company's transferability of her specific retail experience, when evaluating potential roles.

Head of policy and partnerships at Vertical Institute, Tan Weng Han, pointed out that while AI skills are increasingly relevant, human judgment remains invaluable.