You should see where you want to go. There are three primary dimensions to consider: Firstly, location or geography; secondly, industry; and third, role or function.
As you start thinking about each dimension, consider there’s a higher probability of changing one dimension than two.
To change all three dimensions, “never say never,” but know there’s a lower probability it will require more work. Let me comment on each dimension in order.
Location
Before COVID-19, constraints on the labor movement to Singapore and many other countries were increasing. The increased restrictions started to gain momentum after the Great Financial Crisis in 2008-2009, and COVID-19 has accelerated that trend.
Again, “never say never.” It will take more patience and work if you want to work in Singapore or other countries with increased restrictions. You will need to sharpen your unique selling proposition—a combination of skills in short supply in your target market.
Industry
As for the industry, employers will look at which sector you did your internships or full-time work. When changing industries, consider your skills, especially transferrable skills and interests. It is essential to tell exactly why you are interested in your target industry.
In addition to your interests, could you think about your target industry’s size and growth? For example, some industries thrive in this COVID-19 environment while others struggle.
If you are interested in a struggling sector (e.g., hospitality), again, “never say never,” but know it may take patience and significantly more work to break in at this moment.
The overall size of an industry also gives some idea of relative opportunities.
Function
Finally, you should think about what functional area is for you. Functional areas include finance, marketing, human resources, operations, etc.
To fine-tune your target function, the next step is to think about the specific role. For example, a particular role in human resources could be in Talent Acquisition, Benefits, Business Partners, Generalists, and more.
Your interests and skills should align with your target roles. If you are still deciding on your preferred industry or function, we recommend you network with others for more information.
We will cover networking in another weekly career tip.
Conclusion
To recap, please know where you want to go to get there. Your clarity will guide the rest of your internship and job search steps.
Next week, we will discuss understanding your skills, motivations, and interests. Understanding yourself will help you as you start to think about where you would like to go.
Learn more about developing a winning résumé, building a solid network, and other insights on professional growth from our regular Career Tips series.
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