Here’s How A Study Loan Can Help You Achieve Your Dreams Of Further Education

If you had to part with $27,000, wouldn’t you go ‘wait, what?!’ That’s about the cost of studying in a local autonomous university for three years. For private universities, tuition fees can go as high as $59,000 a year. That’s about $177,000 for the course of three years. Ask yourself: do you have the requisite funds to part with such a huge sum of money? Singapore’s education landscape is widely accepted as one of the best and most rigorous in the world. After completing six years of primary school, four to five years of secondary school and two to three years of tertiary education, you’re now either ready to put your skills to good use and joint the workforce or pursue higher education in either a local or overseas university. Of course, as you climb higher the education ladder, there are prices to be paid. University education does not come cheap, and even more so if you are looking to study overseas. That being said, do not let your finances limit your education options. Study loans can mean a world of difference and are meant for students who might not be able to afford their school fees, but yet are still looking at pursuing higher education. Well, good for you! Taking out that much needed study loan to further your studies and ease your financial burden might not seem like such a bad idea after all. This way, you can focus on what is truly important: your studies while enjoying your life overseas (for those seeking education abroad). Most people looking to take a study loan in Singapore must first figure out whether they will be attending a private or public institution. If one opts for a public one, then they will find that the school often has study loan options. Alternatively, they can use CPF funds to finance their education. Education In Singapore Universities in Singapore are grouped as Autonomous Universities and Private Education Institutions which are listed below: Autonomous Universities National University Of Singapore Nanyang Technological University Singapore Management University Singapore University of Technology and Design Singapore Institute

6 Tips To Mastering The Art of Sales: Do You Have What It Takes?

When was the last time you were approached by a salesperson? Whether it is to donate money for a charitable course or to sign up for services with them, we’ll most probably either politely decline or shun away from them. When most people hear the term sales, they usually don’t seem to have a very good first impression. The first image that usually comes to mind is an insistent salesperson that follows them around while trying to convince them to make a particular purchase. This is why it is not surprising to find that several business owners are reluctant about the process of making sales. Nothing can happen in business without a sale. The most important aspect of business is being able to convince people to part with their hard earned money. Taking on a sales job requires the willingness to interact with other people, enjoying the challenges that come with the job and handle rejection or objections effectively. You’ll need to be prepared to interact at different levels. Have you ever been involved in external or internal customer support? Helped sales staff during technical presentations? Played a leadership role in a project, or organized or participated in group meetings? If you answered yes to any of these, you’ll be glad to know that you can easily transfer the skills you developed to a successful career in sales. There are a number of crucial tips that can help you through the sales process. 1. Being Genuine And Authentic People are much more likely to make a purchase from a trustworthy person rather than someone who is simply trying to make some money. When actual value is being offered to your customers to help them find solutions or solve problems, this makes it easier to develop mutually beneficial relationships with them. An effective sales process requires a natural approach that attracts people due to authenticity. 2. Determining The Outcome If you wish to be a successful salesperson, you should be aware of how important it is to set goals. Those in the sales industry are expected to anticipate a certain outcome

Guide To Getting Rid Of Bad Habits: 10 Powerful Ways To Master Self-Discipline

Having bad habits and lacking self-discipline can be very destructive. If you have a negative habit that you are not willing to change, it will affect your finances, relationships, health and even business. Research has shown that people who are self-disciplined are actually much happier in life. Here below are 10 effective ways that will help you to get rid of bad habits and become more self-disciplined. 1. Stop wasting resources If you have a habit of wasting your time and money, you will eventually end up with massive losses and numerous missed opportunities. Spending time drinking alcohol, eating unhealthy food and sleeping excessively are all examples of how time and money are wasted. You need to make a quality decision to spend your days doing productive and useful activities that will build your life. These could include putting in extra hours of work to get a higher income, or getting into an exercise regime to improve your health. 2. Be honest with yourself If you have a bad habit that you need to break, do not cover it up or attempt to deny it. This will only prolong the negative consequences of the habit. Be honest with yourself and recognise that you need to change your ways. It may also help to have some close friends tell you the truth about what you need to change. You can only make a good decision to change after you accept that you have a problem. 3. Have a clear purpose and vision If you do not know your life purpose, then you will follow any path. There will be a lack of focus and direction in your life and this will make it very difficult to have any self-discipline. Take some time to write down your purpose and vision clearly and have it in a place where you can refer to it regularly. You can then begin to plan your life around your purpose and this will encourage you to eliminate distractions and become more disciplined. 4. Have a plan and stick to it It has been said that failing to

Top 7 In-Demand Business Trends To Pursue In Singapore 2019

With the right amount of capital, almost everyone can start a business in Singapore. However, to ensure that the business remains sustainable in the long run, you’ll have to ensure that it’s sustainable and viable. How do you do this? It’s all through proper research, planning and execution! Singapore has established itself as a global trade and commerce hub over the past few years. With an economy enabled by technology and a government that is fully supportive of techpreneurs, it is unsurprising that our little island offers the perfect environment for hi-tech companies seeking to establish themselves in the region. As a potential business owner, you’ll definitely want to ensure your business remains relevant in the ever changing market. This is why we have consolidated the top 7 business trends that you might consider if you’re thinking of setting up a business in Singapore. 1. Niche E-commerce With increased accessibility to the internet, e-commerce is no longer a luxury for businesses but a necessity. The e-commerce market in Singapore has grown significantly and is expected to amount up to $5 billion by the end of 2019. Any business that hopes to be successful today needs an online presence. E-commerce enables your business to be available to consumers 24/7. However, in order to be heard by above the clutter of information on the internet, you’ll need to identify a niche and target specific groups and their particular needs. For example, you can focus on popular products such as consumer electronics. Going into e-commerce however, doesn’t guarantee you success. You’ll have to invest heavily in digital marketing and establish your brand as an authority to earn the trust of consumers. 2. Digitization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t just for IT companies. Digitization and AI are not only growing business trends in Singapore, but throughout the world. Companies in every industry ranging from multi-national to small business are moving to digitization and AI. Digitization enables companies to access markets that they previously would have only dreamed of. They are able to do so at a faster speed than if

10 Steps To Creating The Perfect Resume – What To Include & Not To Include In Your Resume

You’ve probably heard or already know the importance of a good resume. However, all talk and no action is not going to get you anywhere. Want to improve your chances to land your dream job? You can with your perfect resume! Here are 10 ways for you to create your perfect resume! 1. Choose the Format There are various formats in which you can structure your resume: Reverse-chronological Starts from the current experience and goes to past jobs in reverse order. Underlines your duties and experience at past jobs. It’s familiar to your employers. It’s easy to browse through. Not very creative. Skill-based Focuses on specific skills and particular experiences you have that will play a huge role in the job that you are applying for. A more comprehensive view of your abilities. Combo Excellent for experienced individuals. Not for entry-level. 2. Fill in Your Contact Info You shouldn’t include all personal details on your contact info. Stick to your: Name: First and last names. Phone number: It’s better to give your personal handphone number. E-mail address: Ensure it looks professional – not something like princesskittyxoxo@gmail.com. Instead, use a email like jolenelim@gmail.com. LinkedIn profile: The URL to your profile allows employers to look for additional info regarding your work experience. If you want your resume to look better, consider including the following info: A catchy title before your name, like “Coffee aficionado and content writer extraordinaire.” Social media accounts that are related to your job, especially if you’re a photographer or designer. Link to your blog, website or portfolio that are relevant to your skills and experience. 3. Resume Summary You need a catchy statement or inspiring image to attract your potential employer’s attention. Consider that employers spend just a few seconds browsing resumes and don’t pay attention to everything. A professional heading statement attracts their interest and makes you look like an attractive, witty candidate. This statement should summarize your resume, so include your work experience, objective and measurable results in three sentences or less. Focus on major accomplishments and skills, not your everyday duties. Example: Web designer with

10 Key Social Skills That We Should All Strive To Have That Will Improve Our Work And Family Relationships

Social skills can simply be described as skills that help one to interact amicably with others. Since we interact with people on a daily basis, be it at home, in business or at the workplace, it is important to have good social skills. The benefits of having good social skills are immense and will help in strengthening relationships in all areas. Here are some of the benefits of having good social skills: Reduces Cases Of Conflict Having social skills reduces the cases of conflict in any relationship. In an office set up, when workmates have good social skills, they are able to work well together and deliver smoothly on the products and services offered by the company. In the case of a business, customers get excellent service and there are fewer cases of complaints. In the home setting, there is more peace and harmony between family members when social skills are embraced. Greater Opportunities For Jobs These days, new industries are born and employers are looking for different sets of talents. When a company conducts interviews for a job vacancy, they will generally look for those who have good social skills. Research has shown that even though a candidate may have good academic qualifications, if he or she has poor social skills, then it will be counterproductive since there will be constant conflict at the workplace. Those who have good social skills are more likely to get the job after the interview. Faster growth for the business If the employees of a business have good social skills, then this means that the customers will be treated very well. This will lead to the growth of the customer base and eventually to the faster growth of the business. Better efficiency at the workplace Good social skills among employees creates a positive atmosphere where the workers can thrive and become more efficient in fulfilling the vision of the company. Each employee is eager to perform his or her own tasks well, and is also willing to collaborate with other staff members to ensure that all other tasks are completed within the stipulated

Rise Of The Gig Economy In Singapore – What It Is All About?

You’ve probably heard the people around you mention the term ‘Gig Economy’ a couple of times. So what exactly is it? To put it simply, the Gig Economy is a term used to refer to a labor market distinguished by a prevalence of contract work or freelance work instead of permanent jobs. In times past, the labor market was characterized by job opportunities that were stable and permanent. Today, however, things have changed. Short-term opportunities or opportunities whose duration is not certain seem more readily available. Freelancers are on the rise and on-demand positions are more readily available. Implications Of A Gig Economy This has called for a workforce that is more flexible around the world as the trend seems to be on the rise in Asia, Europe and America. There are different reasons given for this shift, including a rising need to balance the needs of the family and one’s career. With the benefits availed by the Gig economy come some of the concerns that have been raised by the older generation that held, and continues to value traditional jobs. Some of their concerns include: Fluctuating income: When you have a gig, there is money to be made, but when gigs dry up, even temporarily, finances become tight. This calls for better personal financial planning. Lack of benefits: Most of the older generation held on to their jobs not just for the steady paycheck, but for the benefits as well. They were permanent and pensionable and enjoyed other benefits including medical insurance. However, the Gig economy does not offer these perks. This is all considered instability by the older generation, while Generation Xers and Millennials would rather see the cup as half full, focusing on the other advantages they enjoy. Jobs Commonly Found In the Gig Economy Caregiver jobs: These jobs are ideal for people who enjoy helping others. The options are endless, so you simply pick the job they are most comfortable in. Some of the positions available are pet-sitting positions, babysitting, elderly care and home care positions. Delivery gigs: Most businesses have had to go the extra

Top 7 Fast-Growing Industries In Singapore For Fresh Graduates / Final Year Students

Now that you’re a fresh graduate or in your final year of polytechnic or university, you might be thinking about your future job. What are the most profitable industries? The grass is greener for some on-the-rise industries in Singapore, where you can get good pay, fast promotions and advance quickly on your career ladder. If you choose a stagnating industry, you might need to consider professional job change in a few years. The alternative is to find yourself in a stalemate, working at a job with no advancement opportunities. So make the right choice. Read the article below and go for a job you like in one of the industries below: 1. Fintech Sector Singapore is a fintech Mecca. The fast advancement of technology has given rise to digital marketing and online product management, so the financial and technological sectors are intertwined. Singapore saw a growing number of fintech startups during the last years, and these companies continue to spread. There is a stark need for people who are literate in the world of financial products but also have good technical know-how. Flywire, TradeHero, and MoneySmart are just a few of these prodigies in a continuous expansion. These sites offer lots of helpful advice on financial matter and have been growing in popularity over the years. They provide cost guides, reviews of credit cards, loans and financial policies for readers of all ages. The truth is that many local merchants, including hotels, restaurants, amusement parks or banks, have adapted their businesses according to innovative fintech ideas. These businesses are looking for people who know the ins and outs of customer needs and marketing, but who can also devise easy-to-use apps. 2. Start-up Sector The number of start-ups is growing on the island of Singapore. This sector is a good choice for fresh graduates as well as people who want to swap careers, provided you go for the right industry. That’s why tech start-ups are the best choice. These companies are extremely innovative and receive a lot of media support, which makes them extremely successful. The Singaporean market isn’t saturated with tech

How Social Media Can Cause You To Overspend

It is not too ambitious to say that social media has become such a powerful part of most of our lives that it’s gone on to influence our buying decisions. We wake up, we check our social media feed. When we’re on our way to work, we’re probably scrolling through the same feed to check in on updates. When we’re done with work, we go out for dinner and take insta stories of the entire night’s happenings. If you don’t have a Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram or other social media account, you might be living under a rock. Social media is society’s latest drug, and it’s addictive. While social media networks can be an important tool that can enrich your life, they can also take over and consume you without warning. Sadly, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Social Media Has Taken Over There’s no doubt that social media has taken over our lives. Most people check their Facebook or other social media accounts before they even get out of bed in the morning. It’s also the last thing we do before we close our eyes to sleep at night. Studies show that the average internet user spends more than two hours a day on messaging and social media. This accounts for a third of the total time that these users spend on the internet daily. A closer look at their activities reveals that half of this time is spent on Facebook and its products. Social media has become a way of life. We use it to stay in touch with friends, send messages to wider audiences on various topics and to gather support from others that have similar interests or are facing similar situations. However, like many addictions, social media can be a double edged sword. Users become obsessed. We obsessed over the number of likes, shares and comments that we have. It’s all about receiving that undivided attention so that we can feel good about ourselves. Here’s a catch. We almost always forget that social media glorifies things. Behind that flashy photo of your favourite celebrity relaxing on

Business Guide: 6 Types of Business Correspondence You Can Consider

Businesses are of different types. We have small or big, national or local, private or public, partnership or proprietary, manufacturing or service, and competitive or monopolistic. Nevertheless, all of these businesses share certain approaches and concerns in a given business environment. They handle people both externally and internally, and their stakeholders may include employees, owners, customers, and even the community. Businesses also have several functional sections such as sales, accounts, personnel, marketing, administration, purchase and secretarial. Each of these departments has people running them, and for them to function seamlessly, they must communicate. Similarly, other persons that deal with these businesses, including suppliers and customers, have to communicate with any of these departments at some point. To be able to communicate effectively across all the departments, it’s important to look at the different types of letters or correspondence that are used as well as their features. When talking about different types of correspondence, we’re focusing on letters that go both ways. In other words, these are letters from the organization to other individuals and agencies and letters from other agencies and individuals to organizations. The types of business correspondence include: 1. Internal correspondence This refers to written communication between departments, employees, units, and branches of one company. It’s common for internal correspondence to be formal or informal. For the most part, regular internal correspondence is normally less formal, like the supervisor issuing some instructions to the staff. Email is usually used when sending internal correspondence. Other internal correspondence types include a memorandum, promotion letter, letter of dismissal, letter of approval, written reprimand, formal requests, and notice to explain. Typically, such communication is usually printed on the paper, which the sender signs and the recipients receive physically. 2. External correspondence This type of correspondence occurs between two organizations or between one organization and its customers. It is written communication that the company makes to parties that don’t belong to it. External correspondence is mainly made to creditors, prospective clients, suppliers, vendors, financial institutions, accounting and law firms, creditors, donors, sponsors, government offices, business affiliates and other offices that do business with

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