Career Advice In Singapore

How can we find security in an ever more insecure world?

The most secure career options:

· Work for a solid and growing company, for example, DBS, NOL, or HP.

· Most government employees are full-time and benefited, and job security is often so good that unless you rob the till, you’ll have your job for life.

· Low-risk self-employment. Keys: low investment, high-profit margin, and low status so you’re less likely to be competing against superstars. Examples: maintaining many blogs, giving tuition, being a hawker Such businesses have the additional advantages of providing an essential service so they’re unlikely to be affected by recession or go out of style.

On the job, to maximize your FIRE-resistance:

· Try to work for two stars: a star boss in a star organization.

· Keep learning. First, learn the things your boss will most appreciate. Then to maximize your portability, learn things key in your field. Don’t learn by going back to school. It’s expensive and even if your employer is paying, it’s usually not worth your time: too theoretical and time-consuming, too much information you’ll never need or will have forgotten by the time you need it. Instead, do just-in-time learning. On topics of current interest, read an article or book, talk with an expert, attend a workshop or conference sponsored by your company or professional association. You know you’re doing well when your skill set is above-average relative to your peers.

· Try to connect with your boss and other higher-ups: Do the work he or she prioritizes. Don’t know your boss’s priorities? Ask. Give earned praise. For example, “Great advice, boss.” Even better, write your praise on a handwritten note card. Ask your boss and higher-ups about his work, her life, and be a good listener—ask good follow-up questions.

· Look for problems to solve. Whether you’re a clerk or CEO, you’ll be more fire-resistant if you keep your antennae out for solvable problems and propose a plan for their solution.

· Use the grapevine. What’s growing and declining in your company? Position yourself appropriately. For example, if your nonprofit is deciding to go after bigger donors, read a couple of articles on the art of closing a big donor, then volunteer to work on that project.

· Especially if you’re at risk of being downsized, network with your peers outside the company. That way, if the shoe later drops, you can call on their assistance. Far better to do that after you’ve developed a relationship than when your first contact is, “Hi, I’m looking for a job. Have any leads?”

Even if your job security is guaranteed, feeling secure requires you to do some things outside of work:

Keep your living expenses down. I’m not saying you need to give up your $3 lattes. Only two things are key: keep your housing costs down, and buy three-year old cars, keeping them until they’re unreliable. Just those two things will greatly increase your security.

Invest your money cautiously. Start young and invest in equities. Check out local Singaporean Blogs like http://www.sgdividends.blogspot.com/ for topics or tips. Compare that, for example, with real estate. Sure, real estate is hot now, but it’s risky, and, at minimum, requires a hassle-filled buying and selling process, not to mention landlording and maintenance.

Enhance your psychological security. Establish or maintain your favorite rituals: family dinnertime, bedtime routines, worship, holiday celebrations, etc. Maintain or renew long-time trusted friendships with people who bring out the best in you.