Work It

Delve into the tricky situation of being asked to work before officially starting a job. The discussion highlights the importance of setting clear boundaries with future employers. Discover how to navigate expectations and protect your privacy. Gain insights on professional communication to ensure a smooth transition into your new role. It's all about balancing ambition with self-care!

Jenny Toh, founder of River Life Coaching and a self-identified introvert, dives into the challenges of networking for introverts. She shares valuable strategies to manage anxiety and set realistic goals in social situations. The conversation highlights misconceptions about introverts and extroverts, emphasizing the importance of meaningful one-on-one interactions. Toh offers practical tips for enhancing presentation skills and navigating social media authentically, while addressing the significance of establishing boundaries in professional settings.

Is job comfort leading to stagnation? The discussion flows from the challenges of staying in a cozy role while others advance. They tackle the emotional journey at age 40, revealing fears of change and societal pressures. Experts debate the value of being a generalist versus a specialist, emphasizing the importance of recognizing personal strengths. Listeners are encouraged to embrace upskilling as a strategy for career growth. The conversation dives deep into balancing job satisfaction and ambition in today's evolving work landscape.

Wage transparency is all the rage on TikTok, where people talk about how much they earn. But for most of us, discussing salary publicly is still taboo. How do bosses decide who gets a higher salary, especially when two people are doing the same job? Skills, impact and size of company are some key factors, says Lionel Low, senior client solutions principal of ASEAN at Mercer. He explains all there is to know about rewards and remuneration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The struggle for promotion can be a frustrating journey, especially when biases come into play. One listener shares her story of increased responsibilities yet no advancement, sparking a deep dive into the subjective nature of promotions. Heavy workloads leave many feeling stuck, prompting a discussion on the importance of aligning responsibilities with personal growth. Experience might outweigh titles in the long run, but how do you navigate the demands while ensuring your career flourishes?

Amy Ou, an associate professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Business School, delves into the red flags of narcissistic leadership. She explains how to recognize when a boss is dismissive and self-centered, impacting workplace dynamics. The conversation reveals strategies to manage such challenging relationships, promoting supportive communication. Ou also addresses the complexities of career advancement in these situations, emphasizing how personal dynamics can influence promotions more than performance alone.

No one wants to be put on a performance improvement plan (PIP) because it indicates that you haven’t been meeting your work goals. But if you are on it, what does it mean for your career, and can you bounce back?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With more shared parental leave and mandatory paternity leave on the horizon, employers need to re-design the way they operate. Otherwise they risk losing good staff, says Minister Indranee Rajah. She tells Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan why the government is committed to helping everyone reach a win-win situation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After months of anticipation, you finally hear back from HR only to learn that the indicative job offer has been withdrawn. What might cause such a u-turn and could you have done anything different?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a growing trend of university students juggling multiple internships, even taking time off school to get valuable experience and a foot in the door of industries. Undergraduates Syauqina Amalyn and Toh Yan Yun explain their hustle mentality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.