Demand for tech talents and digital skills in Singapore has grown rapidly in recent years due to greater consumer use of technology in our day-to-day activities and an increasingly digitalised economy. Moreover, the pandemic accelerated digital transformation across industries, which drove the immediate need for talent by tech companies.
Landing a job in a tech company does not necessitate knowing how to code or proficiency in computer science, as companies also want to tap on the experience and knowledge of specific industries and sectors. There are roles in these companies that span different departments, each playing an integral part for the organisation to thrive. In fact, by 2025, Singapore will need 1.2 million workers trained in digital skills across all functions.
At Twitter’s Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, we are looking for technical talents covering product and software engineering, data science, data engineering and machine learning; and non-technical talents such as professionals in the fields of sales and marketing, public policy and operations.
Whether you want to work with a fintech, e-commerce or tech hardware company, the first step is standing out from a sea of applicants so recruiters can invite you to interview for the job.
Before you worry about updating your CV or creating a new one from scratch, determine if you are suitable for the role. If there is no clear indication of what the role entails, request a job description from the recruiter.
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These are my five tips on creating a CV that could guarantee an interview:
- Keep it short and concise. Summarise your qualifications succinctly in two or three pages, with the most impressive or relevant experience right on top. If you wish to include testimonials or a portfolio, use a hyperlink instead.
- Add a personal profile. In no more than five sentences, tell us about yourself and why you will be a great fit for the company and the role you are applying for. This is your elevator pitch to catch recruiters’ attention.
- Show genuine interest. First, tailor your application to the company and role you are applying for. Use keywords and phrases listed in the job description – this also optimizes your CV in applicant tracking systems. Next, demonstrate strong interest in the company or understanding of its product(s). For example, our purpose at Twitter is to serve the public conversation. Applicants who are passionate about this mission tend to be shortlisted for an interview.
- Keep it real. Never lie about your qualifications. If you do not have any relevant experiences to share, show your willingness to learn and highlight functional skills such as leadership, teamwork and public speaking.
- Don’t do too much. There is no need for fancy templates unless you are applying for a designer role. Avoid using pictures, including too many links, or adding irrelevant details.
At Twitter, our available roles can be viewed at careers.twitter.com. The job description and qualifications are listed clearly so applicants know what they are signing up for. As many teams at Twitter work cross-functionally, we place high importance on transferable skills like communication, project management and problem-solving.
For fresh graduates or applicants looking for a career change, compensate for the lack of relevant work experience with knowledge gained from courses, projects and training, as well as highlight achievements. We had an applicant who was interested in a public policy role and although he had no relevant experience, he grabbed our attention with his accomplished volunteer work and commentary on what freedom of speech meant to him and his community.
We also look for candidates who are excited about creating a culture that is supportive, respectful and honest. Twitter (the service) is home to a world of diverse people, perspectives, ideas and information so as an employer, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse place where anyone, anywhere can belong.
Tech companies are critical in a digital economy and will pave the way for new opportunities – and with it, more competition – in the job market. Hence, Singapore is encouraging its local workforce to upskill and reskill, through government initiatives such as SkillsFuture and collaborations with companies such as Twitter, so that they are equipped with sought-after digital capabilities.
Interested in learning more about making the switch to a career in tech? Sign-up for the Twitter Career Roadshow, hosted in collaboration with SkillsFuture, happening August 11, 2.30 PM –5.30 PM!
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