Advice on finding a tech job in Singapore, according to recruiters

Photo credit: Bethany Legg.

We recently wrote about what tech recruiters looked for in candidates, things candidates did that turned recruiters off, and top mistakes candidates make when looking for a technical job.

In the last of this four-part series, we got tech recruiters to leave words of advice for potential candidates.

1. Be open to joining small firms

“Don’t just aim to join big tech companies,” said Edmund Yee, talent acquisition manager at Honestbee. “There are many equal or better opportunities available in smaller firms. Sometimes, these opportunities might even be more suitable for your career development and learning.”

2. For fresh graduates – Be willing to take up an internship

“Most tech jobs require experience,” said Albert Resco, engineering manager and tech recruiter at ShopBack. “If you’re really passionate about working for the company but you don’t have the relevant experience (yet), don’t be afraid to ask for an internship role. This will give you a chance to demonstrate your die-hard passion and accumulate experience.”

3. Connect and engage with the wider tech community

“Meetups are a great place to build a network and find roles,” said Malcolm Fitzgerald, chief product and technology officer of the PropertyGuru Group.

John Hall, head of talent acquisition (engineering) at Grab, echoes his sentiment. “While the tech industry continues to grow in Singapore and there is high demand for talent, it is useful to stay engaged and connected to the wider community,” he said. “Doing so keeps you up-to-date and aware of the competitive environment.”

4. On job applications

Personalize your application

“Other than personalizing your application and providing a balanced view of your success and failures, be engaged with the company,” said Frederic Bonifassy, talent manager at Pocketmath. “Show that you care about getting this job – when you don’t, it’s apparent.”

Commit to a role

“One thing we’ve noticed about some applicants is their lack of commitment to the role,” said Victor Neo, senior engineering manager at Carousell. “They apply for multiple roles, not all of which are relevant to their interests, skills or backgrounds. You have to know what you want and commit to it, if you want your new employer to commit to you too.”

Highlight relevant accomplishments, but don’t oversell

“Don’t be shy, highlight your accomplishments – as long as they’re relevant to the role you’re ​applying for,” said Victor. “Share interesting details like how your contributions helped the company grow and meet overall business objectives. If you have done great work to optimize the performance of your API service, talk about it too.”

But he also advises candidates not to over-sell. “Be succinct, focus on your key achievements in each role, and skip your childhood stories,” he said.

5. On interviews

6. Assess the company