Get this: Singapore has one of the most competitive job markets in the world. If you’re looking for a job in this booming city-state, you’re going to need to stand out. But how do you do that?
I’ll show you how by answering one important question – when is the best time to look for a job in Singapore? Besides that, I’ll give you other tips on how to stand out in your job search in Singapore.
The Best Time to Look for a Job in Singapore
The best time to apply for a job is during Singapore business opening hours. And here’s why…
Your job application is at the top of the pile.
You can’t comprehend just how many resumes and cover letters a recruiter has to go through. It’s said that at least 100 to 400 applications are sent in every day. The bottom line: your job application will be buried within minutes.
If that’s the case, you will be overlooked. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are for the job. So how do you make sure you’re part of the top applicants?
It’s simple: you submit your application in the morning. This way, when the recruiter logs in for work and checks their email, your resume will be one of the first to pop up. If you are a foreigner, make sure to send in your details according to the Singapore time zone.
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The recruiter isn’t tired yet.
Recruiters are extremely busy. Just hear what Vicki Salem, a career expert, had to say about her early recruiter days:
“I used to have to find candidates for three dozen different jobs at any given time. I would search through virtual stacks of resumes in between client meetings, team conference calls, interview days, and more. Two weeks isn’t really that long of a time from the recruiter’s perspective.”
No doubt, as the day goes on, recruiters get more and more tired. Maybe they don’t want to admit it, but they’ll start to easily dismiss resumes or cover letters that don’t grab their attention on the first line. Hey, they’re humans, too.
This leads to my point that mornings are the best time to submit your job application. While the recruiter is still fresh, they will be willing to spare a few more seconds to read your resume/cover letter. And that can be the deciding factor if you’ll get contacted for an interview or not.
Read More: What Is the Average Time to Find a Job in Singapore?
You get the task done ASAP.
Another reason why mornings are the best time to look for a job in Singapore is that you can get it over with it right away. I don’t know about you, but having an important task looming in my mind throughout the day can be distracting. This can lead to bad work performance or even bad moods.
I always say, “Get the most important tasks done in the morning so you don’t need to worry about it anymore”. It’s great advice, you’ll see. If you don’t have time in the morning, you can prepare everything the night before.
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What if I can’t submit my resume in the morning?
OK, not everyone is a morning person… or has free mornings. No worries. Though morning is always the best time, it isn’t the only available option.
If you’re busy in the mornings, you can use your lunch break to apply for a job. Noontime is still a good time to catch energized recruiters at the peak of their job hours. Side note: it’s common for recruiters to call shortlisted candidates for a quick phone interview during lunch breaks. So keep an eye out for that.
What if you’re a foreigner looking for work in Singapore? If you want to submit your application during the “best” hours, that means sending it over at night. So if the opening hours in Singapore are 8:30 AM, you can send your resume over at 8:30 PM.
The Best Day to Apply for Jobs in Singapore
ZipRecruiter showed in its database that at least 22% of job openings are posted on Tuesday, followed by 18% posted during the other weekdays, and only 3% during the weekend. So Tuesday is the best day for job seekers. On the flip side, Saturdays and Sundays are the worst time for a job hunt.
Marissa Morrison, vice president at ZipRecruiter, says, “Your best bet is to submit your application within 48 hours of the role being listed.” This way, you know you’re one of the first to boast your skills and experience. Morrison also suggests signing up for email alerts to job sites so you instantly know when new jobs pop up.
The Best Month to Look for a Job in Singapore
Did you know that there is a hiring season in Singapore? This is in March, April, May, and June. So if you’re being strategic about your job hunt, you’ll want to apply during these months.
Senior Recruitment Specialist and Career Advisor Vinay Math adds, “December (year-end) and February (Chinese New Year) may not be so good for applying for jobs. March to June are best.”
Someone from Forum.singaporeexpats.com added, “The 1st 3 months and the last 3 months of the year are the worst time to look for a job in Singapore. The best time is from Mar/Apr until Sep/Oct.”
Other Ways to Stand Out in Your Job Search in Singapore
Yes, being strategic about the time, day, and month will help you get noticed. However, there are many other important factors to consider. I’ll go over a few of these to boost your chances of getting that interview (and hopefully the job).
Avoid generic resumes and cover letters.
Remember, we’re talking about Singapore – one of the world’s most competitive job markets. If you submit a generic resume and cover letter, I’m 95% sure a hiring manager will ignore it.
Instead, make your resume and cover letter match the job skills and qualifications. It will take more time, but if you tailor it to the specific job offer, you’re more likely to attract recruiters.
Read More: How To Describe “I Am A Quick Learner And Hard Worker” In a Resume.
Don’t just apply to any Singaporean job.
Yes, you want to work in Singapore. But you need to find the right job for you. Look for a position that matches your skill set and experience. This way, you can highlight these areas and prove that you’re the best fit for the job.
Gain as much experience as possible.
Want to stand out? You need to prove that you have more experience than the next person. And the only way to get experience is to work, work, work. This can mean doing an internship, getting a temporary or half-time job, joining volunteer work, etc… When that’s done, you can try your hand in the more competitive Singapore job market.
Read More: Essential Hacks to Sharpen Your Skills.
Make an online presence.
Having a LinkedIn or Indeed profile with all your details can be a quick way for recruiters to find out more about you. This can save a lot of time on basic information. Plus, many job application forms ask for links to your social media platforms.
Prepare for interviews.
OK, let’s say you were chosen for a first interview. HURRAY! This is the time when you really have to impress. But it’s very common for people to feel nervous and anxious for a job interview.
The best thing to do is prepare for it. Read the job offer again and highlight your key advantages, prepare questions, prepare answers to common interview questions, practice speech in front of a mirror – do what you need to do to calm your nerves and impress the hiring manager.
Read More: Critical Thinking Interview Questions and Scenarios With Sample Answers.
Final Words
When is the best time to look for a job in Singapore? The early bird catches the worm. Let me rephrase that: the early job application submission catches the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
It’s also a good idea to apply on Tuesdays and from March to June. Besides that, follow the other ways to stand out in your job search in Singapore. If you do, you are more likely to land a Singaporean job.
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