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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO
ACHIEVE PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS.

How to write a killer resume for 2021

28/1/2021

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A Resume shouldn't just be a laundry list of all your experiences. It should tell a STORY and CONVINCE prospective employers that you are the best candidate!

1. Figure out what your Employer wants
If you really want to get a call-back, you need to focus on what your employer wants (rather than what you want). 
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Just like how social media is a "highlights reel", your CV shouldn't be just a laundry list of all the jobs you ever had, with every detail about your accomplishments (and non-accomplishments). It should be a focused "highlights reel" that showcase your skills and strengths - which are relevant to your dream job. Your resume should highlight you as a person, and why you would be an excellent fit for your prospective employer. 

2. Weave a Story
Sell yourself! Be your own best advocate.
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Based on what your prospective employer wants, arrange your best work experiences and accomplishments into a narrative that sells yourself. Think about how all your past experiences have built up your strengths, and why these strengths can add value to your prospective employer. 

Steve Jobs famously said that you can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. Connect the dots for your employer! 

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climbing the corporate ladder: interview with an investment banker

14/6/2019

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In this series, SuccessGoGo interviews successful professionals from banking, consulting and law to provide helpful insights on climbing the corporate ladder. In this interview, SuccessGoGo sat down with Michael, an investment banker at a leading investment bank in Singapore.

What's the best part about being a banker?
The width of exposure to multiple industries and businesses, interaction with leaders of industry and c-suite level management very early on in career and learning from senior bankers.

Did anything at school help prepare you for the job?
The soft skills you learn (teamwork, communications, project management, etc) in school probably matter a lot more than whatever is officially taught as part of your degree. The caveat is that you will also polish your technical and financial skills and knowledge to the level needed to pass the interviews and start on the job.

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What to do when you get a promotion in name only (without a pay rise!)

20/3/2019

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Your boss excitedly congratulates you at your promotion but upon closer look, you discover that this promotion is in name only! Or you do get a pay increase but the increase is so minimal it’s almost laughable (Eek!) What should you do in these situations? Here are 3 tips to help make the most of your situation.  

1. Thank your bosses 
While it is tempting to react angrily in these kinds of situations, it is in fact even more important to remain professional. That is not to say that you can’t react at all, and just brush this under the rug, in fact, you should actually convey some dismay and disappointment. This way, your bosses do know that you are not satisfied but are not offended because you handled yourself professionally. And if they don’t want to lose you, they know that at the next opportunity they should make sure to increase your compensation. In tough times, do know that pay rises aren’t personal, and it may be a cost-savings company-wide policy at the moment.
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This is also a good opportunity to speak candidly with your boss about performance, where the company is heading, and how you can improve your advancement chances in the company in the longer term. All of these ground work will stand you in good stead in the next round of promotions.

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How to get your resume noticed by employers in 2019

20/3/2019

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5 Essential tips to make sure your resume works for you!  

1. Follow submission guidelines strictly & searchable CVs
It is very important to follow submission guidelines to ensure that your CV actually makes the first cut. Make sure to stick to any word count guidelines and deadlines, and get your future employer’s name right!

Nowadays, MNCs often use automated fill CV software, which means that you should upload your resume in a word doc or searchable pdf. In such instances, it would best to stick to simple and clear formatting so the software can extract the relevant information accurately.
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2. Mirror the job description 
Always submit a personalized CV and cover letter. You can do so quickly and simply by tweaking the language to mirror the skills and experience requested in the job description. You can also do a quick scan and re-arrange bullet points to make sure the key points match what the job posting and the most relevant points are highlighted in your CV. Conversely, if a certain job experience or extracurricular activity is not relevant for this particular job, you can cut down this area while adding 1 -2 lines to expand other points which are relevant for this job post.

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how to get a law firm internship (singapore, uk & hk)

8/6/2018

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LAW FIRMS
Singapore
UNITED KINGDOM
HONG KONG
BENEFITS
Big 4 takes into account internship performance in evaluating TC applications. You can also form valuable contacts and get a feel of firm culture. For TC purposes, it is always helpful to have interned at the firm.
For UK undergrads, you may wish to consider a London internship at the start of summer break, and a second internship in Singapore after. This allows you to have the best of both worlds and gain a competitive edge.
There is a diverse array of law firms in Hong Kong giving much wider opportunity to cast your net and to expand your horizons.
HOW TO APPLY
Be sure to adhere to the application format (e.g. forms / documents to upload etc) and timelines.

This is also a good chance to read up on the firm and department and to demonstrate this in your applications (i.e., that you have researched the firm and you are sincere about applying).
For Magic Circle firms, be fully prepared for your interview. London firms (and international firms in general, including those in Singapore and HK) are interested in candidates who demonstrate commercial awareness. Be sure to read up on financial news and economic developments globally. Understand what you can bring to the table. Practically, most of us would be expected to work on Asia-centric deals and clients.
Hong Kong has a diverse range of firms. You will get great exposure. Do your research and find the specific area of practice that you wish to gain experience in and make sure you can demonstrate persuasively why you are interested in the field and how you can add-value to the team.
WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
For Big 4, primary focus is on grades. Offshore firms have limited places. Having a good attitude is key. Testimonials are very helpful and can be appended to you application.
You must be able to demonstrate your competitive advantage. The way you present yourself and culture fit (specific to each firm) is important.
Read up on the nature of the work and any significant deals or cases of the particular practice group / firm. Look at the type and background of candidates they generally hire.
COST & EXPENSES
You may get a modest stipend but don’t expect much.
International firms (especially US firms) provide generous stipends.
Depends on type of firm (international, boutique etc.)
OTHERS
A genuine interest in legal practice and a humble attitude will go a long way. Be aware that as an intern, you can only offer modest help to the team but take everything as a learning experience and do your best at any small task assigned. 
There may be internal quotas regarding foreign nationals.  
Candidates should demonstrate proficient Mandarin. Bonus if you are able to speak Cantonese. 
If you have any questions about law firm internships, please email us at info@successgogo.com
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5 Fabulous benefits you should look out for

12/1/2018

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1.       Types and Number of Leave
Leave days are possibly one of the main benefits that potential employees look out for. Taking a closer look at your overall leave days, you should also look into the types of leave that your company offers and make sure you use them. For instance, family and childcare leave are in addition to standard leave days and can be really helpful for parents. 

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how to sell yourself

30/11/2017

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We are often told to “sell ourselves” in the competitive job-market.  But what exactly does “selling yourself” entail? Is it just about being the most visible with a giant “Pick Me!” sign? Is it picking up your boss’ coffee every morning?

Many people would advise young graduates to take more initiative, stand taller and speak up louder. Indeed, nobody will be a better advocate for yourself than YOU. You know your own strengths the best, don’t be afraid to advertise it. Here are 3 tips on how to “sell yourself” in order to succeed in the modern workplace.  

1.       Show that you care  
“Selling yourself” is not just about attending the most number of networking sessions possible. While maximum exposure always helps, in today’s world where we have an onslaught of easy-to-make connections and easier-to-forget acquaintances, a genuine show of concern will help you stand-out.

In networking sessions or whenever you meet someone through work, you should try to adopt a ‘giver’ mind-set. As you strive to make personal connections by helping others (instead of focusing on how you benefit), you will find that you stand to gain yourself. More often than not, our connections help us in ways we never imagined from the start. A friend of a friend, meeting someone by coincidence, old and new connections, you never how and who will come into your life to lend you a helping hand. Go out of your way to help someone whenever you can, all of these favours will stack up to help you big one day in the future.

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3 Ways to Upgrade your Resume

10/11/2017

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1.       Visuals
It is natural for the human eye to be drawn to visuals and clear presentation.  In addition, clean formatting helps the reader understand the information presented quickly. Candidates may also include a passport-sized photograph in their resume.
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For more creative industries, you may also adopt visually-appealing resumes or provide links to an online portfolio of your work. 

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How to get glowing reference LETTERS

10/11/2017

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For university and graduate school applicants, a glowing reference letter from a work mentor or professor from school is necessary to separate you from the crowd. For internship and job applications, employers often contact referees before making the final decision on whether to hire you. 

References are key to your dream school and dream job. Here are some ways to help you achieve a lasting and positive impression on your referees-to-be. 

1.       Get Noticed
At school, be sure to speak up and get noticed by your professor. Volunteer yourself for teaching assistant positions. Teachers or mentors for your extra-curricular activities or volunteering activities can also be potential referees.

It goes without saying that you should try your best at every internship or even part-time job, your bosses will be invaluable contacts in the future.

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resume writing: what to do when you have no experience

30/10/2017

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It is easy to write a stellar CV if you have an excellent GPA and internship experience to show for it. However, a common conundrum that many students face is when they are applying for their first internship or job and they just don’t have enough points to fill their CV. Here are 3 suggested ways to remedy this problem.

1.       Quick Fixes
If you find yourself stuck with nothing to put in your CV, and you only have a couple of weeks before applications close, we can suggest a few quick fixes as follows:

Attend a course / seminar
o   Most universities conduct seminars that are free to students
o   There are also hundreds of online courses available, the internet is your best friend
o   Bonus points if completion of the course results in some kind of certification

Volunteer
o   There are many places can accept volunteers at a short notice (for instance here), you can also ask your local CC or library if they need extra help.

o   Another option is tutoring. You can offer to tutor needy students or even your neighbour’s children.

Expand on existing points
o   Be sure that you have fully fleshed out the current points that you do have, be specific wherever possible
o   Another quick-fix is to list out modules where you obtained good grades

It is important to note that even if you are desperate to add filler points, you should still be careful to only showcase your best points. Including poor grades or completely irrelevant experience (e.g. winning a 100m race in primary school) subtracts rather than adds to your profile.

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  • SuccessGoGo
    • How it works
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    • Reviewer Credentials
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  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Useful Links
    • Contact Us
    • Join Us
    • Legal