Show your support and sign the “Employ Singaporeans First” petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/Employed/petition.html

Job market picks up for fresh graduates: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1035386/1/.html

Fair enough, but if candidates are not realistic in their expectations, there’s no point talking about better opportunities. That said, would things be as optimistic for scores of experienced PMETs out there who still have problems finding work? With “competition” coming from university and polytechnic graduates (i.e. lower starting salaries), how would this affect the chances of qualified but older candidates from landing the same pool of available jobs in the market?

“They need to be a little bit more adaptable and flexible. They shouldn’t just look at the title and the pay but also look at the opportunity of where they can build a career.” – Dhiren Shantilal, SVP, Kelly Services.

Telesales professionals wanted: http://www.jobsdb.com/SG/EN/Job.asp?R=JDBS154790201

Telesales Consultant (General Insurance)

A world leader in BPO solutions is seeking dedicated and committed telesales consultants as part of their expanding telesales team for General Insurance.

The successful candidates will present General Insurance through phone using approved presentation materials and prospect and enroll eligible parties based on the leads provided. Additional responsibilities include call planning, converting presentation calls into enrollments and maintaining an acceptable enrollment rate.

Ideal candidates should posses Certificate in General Insurance (CGI) and prior sales or customer service experience. Additional certificates in Health Insurance (HI), M5 or M9 would be a plus. Other qualifications include good telemarketing skills, sales driven, enthusiastics, results oriented as well as the ability to organize and prioritize work accordingly. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is essential (for those without Certificates, but do posses good telemarketing skills, sales driven, enthusiastic and results oriented will still have an opportunity to be interviewed).

We reward our employees with the following:

• Comprehensive benefits package including additional incentives
• Stable income & long-term employment opportunities
• Outstanding opportunities for career development

Interested applicants, kindly email your detailed resume to TPSG_Jobs@teleperformance.com.sg

Website: http://www.teleperformance.com

CNA: Employment prospects set to become vibrant this year

SINGAPORE: According to the Hudson Report, hiring expectations have not been so high since 1998 when it first started issuing such reports.

Of the over 1,500 key employment decision makers in Asia surveyed, 51 per cent of bosses expect more hiring to take place in the first quarter of this year.

This is quite a contrast indeed from the previous quarter when the figure was 34 per cent.

Last year, employees suffered pay cuts and restructuring seemed to be the order of the day. It was even worse for graduates entering the workforce for the first time.

But now, besides better hiring prospects, employees can expect more money as well. Respondents in most industries expect to pay higher salaries to attract talent. In fact, only eight per cent said they will not be increasing wages.

According to the survey, most are planning to give out much higher bonus payments this year. In fact, about 74 per cent of them plan to pay discretionary year-end bonuses for 2009.

Even though the overall mood seems buoyant, some analysts remain cautious.

Jimmy Koh, UOB economist, said: “It is recovering and it is normalising – even the expectations of hiring is a normalisation process, but it will take a while because 70 per cent of global GDP is still struggling.”

David Ang, executive director, Singapore Human Resource Institute, said: “You’ll probably get these people on contract basis, on part-time basis, on project basis and so on.

“So, while there’s increased hiring, I think one also needs to see in what way these are the permanent employment opportunity vis-a-vis other types of employment opportunities.”

The survey said hiring expectations are very high for the banking and financial sector. Another sector reflecting major expectations of job opportunities is the media, advertising and public relations industry. – CNA/vm

Singapore banks on hiring binge: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_475246.html

But are they a little too trigger-happy in their approach, given how the global financial sector is still “fragile” according to the chairman of the FSB?

Let’s not create a situation where we over-hire, and then let go of headcounts when things take a dip along the way, shall we?