CareersCompass by MyCareersFuture Podcast

McKinsey & Company’s Women in the Workplace report noted recently an “ambition gap” has occurred between male and female workers.  In previous editions of the report, men and women were equally likely to seek advancement, and in some years, women were even more likely to do so.  However, in the latest findings, women were 6% less likely than men to express interest in a promotion, with the gap widest at entry level roles (11%). Another survey by Robert Walters also found that 54% felt less motivated to pursue promotions than they did two years ago. This trend has led to the term “promotion burnout” being coined, as noted in reports from the Guardian.  Are Singaporean women in our workforce also experiencing “Promotion Burnout”? Kritvi Kedia, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company explained: “The difference appears to be shaped more by workplace experiences than by underlying ambition.”  “While this research is based on North America, many of the themes — such as access to career support and progression opportunities — are increasingly relevant in Asia, including Singapore.” She revealed one of the strongest factors linked to this ambition gap is access to sponsorship.  Sponsorship — where senior leaders actively advocate for and create opportunities for individuals — significantly increases the likelihood of promotion.  Employees with sponsors are about twice as likely to be promoted, regardless of gender, Kritvi added. However, women are less likely to report having consistent sponsorship across career stages, and even when sponsorship exists, it is often perceived as less effective. Listen to this podcast to learn more about what can be done to help women in the Singapore workforce! Key highlights to listen to (4:55) The trouble with Asian workplaces (6:46) What can women do when career-related rejection at the workplace happens? (9:52) The challenges of women who return to work after a career break Ready to take charge of your career? Polaris is tailored exclusively for you and designed to match your unique aspirations and ambitions. Sign up today! ----more---- Read the full article here: https://www.content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/promotion-burnout-singaporean-women-work-career Find out more about SWDA's programmes and services to help you in your career: www.swda.gov.sg Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here: https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a strategic priority across Singapore’s economy, as highlighted by the Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Budget 2026 as a core driver of national missions. He also announced that efforts to equip white-collar professionals with AI skills will begin with lawyers and accountants—two knowledge-intensive professions under growing manpower strain. This was followed by the Ministry of Law issuing a guide to using generative AI in Singapore’s legal sector. We spoke to Frederick Tay, director at Joyce A. Tan & Partners LLC, to find out how AI is beginning to be included in workflows in the legal sector, what skills are now required, and what does this mean for job redesign for those in the legal industry, and legal- adjacent sectors. If you're interested the current state of AI-integration when it comes to hiring, and reskilling and upskilling for those in the legal sector, listen to this podcast! Key highlights to listen to (1:35) How and why the government is looking at the legal industry when it comes to early AI integration (7:13) It's all about the clients: their considerations when it come to AI and what local lawyers need to learn (11:01) How AI integration is happening in law, and how are Singaporean firms evolving, and what skills are needed Ready to take charge of your career? Polaris is tailored exclusively for you and designed to match your unique aspirations and ambitions. Sign up today! ----more---- Read the full article here: https://www.content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/how-are-singapore-law-firms-getting-ai-ready-and-what-skills-do-they-need Find out more about SWDA's programmes and services to help you in your career: www.swda.gov.sg Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here: https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

For years, many senior workers have felt caught between two options: continuing in a full-time role that may no longer be sustainable or retiring earlier than they would like. In Singapore, this decision is often shaped by practical realities. Rising living costs, conversations around CPF adequacy, and the desire to remain financially independent mean that many seniors want — or need — to continue working for longer. But that all-or-nothing choice is changing. As Singapore’s workforce ages, more support is being put in place to help senior workers stay employed in ways that are healthier, more flexible, and more meaningful. At the centre of this shift is the new Part-Time Re-employment Grant (PTRG), which encourages employers to create part-time roles and age-inclusive workplaces for senior workers aged 60 and above. Keeping in the spirit of the times, you’ll be hearing from CareersCompass’ AI colleagues, Aiden and Aileen, on understanding the following: What is the PTRG and what does it offer? How does it help senior workers work more flexibly? How can senior workers find out if their employer is on the PTRG? Ready to take charge of your career? Polaris is tailored exclusively for you and designed to match your unique aspirations and ambitions. Sign up today! ----more---- Read the full article here: https://www.content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/ptrg-explained-how-this-new-grant-supports-senior-workers-in-2026 Find out more about SWDA's programmes and services to help you in your career: www.swda.gov.sg Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here: https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Thinking about your next career move? Or just scrolling through job listings and wondering which one is actually worth it? Here’s the good news: you don’t have to play the guessing game anymore. The Singapore Opportunity Index (SOI) is a data-driven tool that tracks how companies support career growth through indicators such as progression, retention and internal mobility. While the SOI was designed to help employers benchmark their talent practices, it can also offer valuable insights for jobseekers. Instead of relying only on surface-level factors like salary or job titles, you can use it to assess how well a company supports long-term career growth! Keeping in the spirit of the times, you’ll be hearing from CareersCompass’ AI colleagues, Aiden and Aileen, on understanding the following: How can the Singapore Opportunity Index help with your job search? What should you look out for in the Singapore Opportunity Index? What does the Singapore Opportunity Index mean for your career stage? Ready to take charge of your career? Polaris is tailored exclusively for you and designed to match your unique aspirations and ambitions. Sign up today! ----more---- Read the full article here: https://www.content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/singapore-opportunity-index-for-jobseekers Find out more about SWDA's programmes and services to help you in your career: www.swda.gov.sg Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here: https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf 

Figuring out what the next right move for your career is only half the battle — the other half is to stay the course, and keep focused on doing the hard work, either by reskilling and upskilling, or by looking at the next job or industry to switch to that will serve your personal and longer-term career goals best. But staying motivated can be a challenge, and while we have friends and family to be our personal life-cheerleaders, who’s in your corner when it comes to your career? That’s where a good career coach can help, and to meet those, you might want to check out personalised career programmes for Singaporeans such as Polaris. It’s a suite of personalised career guidance programmes delivered by SWDA and its appointed providers, Ingeus and AKG. It is designed for those who are: Exploring career opportunities; Seeking clarity before making crucial career decisions; Looking to move up in their career; and Contemplating honing their expertise in a specific role. In this episode, SWDA Principal Manager Kelvin Tan shares how his career coach Joey helped him figure out what the next stage of his career needs to be, especially when factoring the volatility of the job market now, as well as the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) as a crucial work skill. Key highlights to listen to (1:00) How many sessions did Polaris take, and what did they do? (2:22) Defining the next career steps is crucial  (3:20) When you need someone to check in, a career coach matters Ready to take charge of your career? Polaris is tailored exclusively for you and designed to match your unique aspirations and ambitions. Sign up today! ----more---- Read the full article here: https://www.content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/career-guidance-middle-aged-coaching-helps-motivation Find out more about SWDA's programmes and services to help you in your career: www.swda.gov.sg Read about the latest career tips and advice | Apply for Jobs | Register for events here: https://go.gov.sg/podcast-careerscompassbymcf