How Fresh Graduates Can Stand Out in Singapore’s Banking and Finance Sector

The financial sector is competitive, and fresh graduates need the right mix of technical and soft skills to shine. Our consultant Claudia Wong, Senior Consultant, Banking and Financial Services at Ethos BeathChapman, recently shared her insights with Workforce Singapore on what employers look for in today’s market.

Understanding the Graduate Job Market

Singapore’s financial services sector grew by 6.8% in 2024, but momentum is expected to ease in the coming years. The latest Joint Graduate Employment Survey shows that 84.4% of fresh business graduates secured full-time roles in 2024, down from 88.3% in 2023. With fewer opportunities and more selective hiring, graduates must sharpen their skills, highlight their experiences, and demonstrate the right mindset to employers.

Making the Resume Stand Out

According to Claudia Wong, “An added advantage goes to fresh graduates with degrees in business, banking and finance, accounting and finance, or analytics. The theoretical knowledge gained provides a solid foundation, helping them integrate more easily into roles that require technical proficiency. This is particularly relevant for non-technology roles, where a grounding in finance or analytics equips them to adapt quickly.”

She also emphasises the importance of internship or work experience, noting, “What matters most is seeing how graduates have actively sought out real-world experience and used those opportunities to develop skills they can apply in professional settings.”

Technical and Soft Skills That Give an Edge

Claudia believes graduates who combine technical proficiency with strong interpersonal skills demonstrate that they can learn, adapt, and contribute effectively, a balance that sets them apart to employers.

She notes, “Emerging technical competencies such as data literacy, familiarity with FinTech and digital banking, and knowledge of ESG principles are increasingly important. Advanced Excel proficiency continues to serve as a practical differentiator.”

She adds that soft skills remain equally essential: “Agility, adaptability, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly are crucial as digitisation, automation, and regulatory shifts reshape workflows. At the foundation of all these skills is integrity and strong ethics. Employers consistently prioritise candidates who demonstrate honesty and ethical judgment, ensuring that technical and professional capabilities are matched by a commitment to responsible conduct.”

Courses to Build Skills

Building these skills doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are many courses available that can help you strengthen both your technical capabilities and soft-skill competencies. Here are some courses to consider:

Data Analytics Using Power BI by SMU: Learn how to acquire, transform, and visualise data using Power BI — enabling you to generate insightful reports and dashboards for data-driven decision making.
Certificate in ESG for Professionals in Banking & Finance: Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing by SMU: Gain foundational knowledge in ESG principles, sustainable finance frameworks, and impact investing. Learn how to assess and integrate sustainability into finance decisions.
Ethics, Financial Crime and Regulatory Compliance in Singapore by NYP: Get practical skills in ethical decision-making, AML (Anti-Money Laundering)/CFT (Countering the Financing of Terrorism), and regulatory compliance. Learn how to foster accountability and integrity in Singapore’s financial services and asset management sector.
Essential Thinking: Adopting a Growth Mindset for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in the Digital Age by SMU: Cultivate a growth mindset and essential digital-age thinking skills — critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation, and resilience. Turn these insights into actionable strategies for the future of work.

Interview Preparation Tips

Claudia also provides practical advice for interview preparation. She recommends that graduates research the company and role thoroughly, practice answers to common interview questions, and prepare examples that demonstrate skills, achievements, and adaptability.

She explains, “Those who struggle to explain their contributions in internships, projects, or part-time work may come across as unprepared.” She further suggests asking thoughtful, professional questions such as, “What does a typical day look like for someone in this role? How do you measure success for this position? Can you describe the team structure and how different functions collaborate?”

She adds, “Show curiosity while staying professional, avoiding personal or compensation-focused questions, as well as questions that can be easily answered with a quick online search.”

Key Takeaways

Standing out in banking and finance requires clear presentation of experiences and skills, technical proficiency in areas like analytics, FinTech, ESG, and Excel, strong soft skills such as communication and collaboration, active learning through courses and internships, and confidence and preparedness in interviews. Graduates who integrate these elements can position themselves for success in one of Singapore’s most competitive job markets.

This article incorporates insights from Claudia Wong, shared in collaboration with Workforce Singapore. Read the full original article here.

If you would like to discuss current market trends and reports, please reach out to us at marketing@ethosbc.com.

Fresh Graduates, Want a Job in Healthcare? Here’s What You Need to Know

February 20, 2026

The healthcare sector continues to expand as Singapore’s population ages, and the demand for skilled professionals remains robust. Our consultant Ann Marie Christopher , Director, Life Sciences at Ethos BeathChapman, recently shared her insights with Workforce Singapore on how fresh graduates can stand out and secure their first roles. Understanding the Healthcare Job Market As Singapore’s population continues ageing, more people require ongoing care, and the need for skilled healthcare professionals is expected to stay strong. This means simply meeting baseline qualifications may not be enough, graduates need to distinguish themselves by demonstrating relevant experience, transferable skills, and a commitment to the sector. Making the Resume Stand Out Ann Marie emphasises that employers understand fresh graduates may have limited hands-on experience. She explains, “What matters more is your potential, commitment, and alignment with healthcare. To stand out, you should focus on showcasing meaningful exposure and transferable strengths.” Graduates should highlight internships, lab attachments, research stints, or short placements during semester breaks, specifying techniques used, software or equipment handled, and collaboration with clinicians or research teams. Independent projects, academic papers, or presentations with measurable outcomes or recognition also help demonstrate initiative and genuine interest in healthcare. Technical and Soft Skills That Give an Edge In a sector as broad as healthcare, Ann Marie stresses the importance of first identifying your functional area, whether clinical research, regulatory or quality roles, biomedical/R&D, or HealthTech, so you can tailor your skills accordingly. She said, “Soft skills are equally important. Communication, teamwork, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are essential in healthcare environments. The ability to actively listen, stay composed in fast-paced settings, and manage diverse situations mindfully can strongly differentiate you from the rest.” For technical skills, relevant courses include Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Clinical Research Coordinator certification, ISO standards, medical device regulations, Quality Management Systems (QMS), data analytics with Python or R, lab automation, biostatistics, and HealthTech-focused coding or data visualisation. Ann Marie also recommends increasing visibility by attending seminars, webinars, networking events, and joining professional organisations or LinkedIn groups to build meaningful industry connections. Courses That Build Capabilities To strengthen technical and practical skills, graduates can consider programmes such as: Good Dispensing Practice (Republic Polytechnic): Advance dispensing and clinical skills and provide specialised counselling. Medical Device Regulation in ASEAN and Asia-Pacific (NUS): Understand regulatory requirements across the region. Data Analytics and AI for Healthcare (Tertiary Infotech): Apply AI insights to improve healthcare outcomes and manage data effectively. Master Class in Advanced MedTech and HealthTech (SIMTech): Gain practical skills in emerging technologies and digital healthcare applications. Interview Preparation Tips Ann Marie advises thorough preparation for interviews, including researching the company’s therapeutic areas, products, and pipeline, reviewing your CV and job description, and preparing for fundamental questions such as “Why healthcare?”, “Why this company?”, and “Why this position?”. She also suggests structuring examples from internship experiences using a reflection method, considering what went well, what could be improved, and what to avoid in the future. This demonstrates reflection, self-awareness, and a commitment to growth. She encourages asking meaningful questions during interviews to show curiosity and a growth mindset, such as: “What does a typical day in this role look like?” “What qualities are most important for someone to succeed here?” “Are there opportunities to learn across functions or contribute to the wider patient journey?” Key Takeaways Differentiation in healthcare comes from presenting experience clearly, building the right combination of technical and soft skills, committing to continuous learning, and entering interviews well-prepared and confident. Graduates who integrate these elements can stand out in Singapore’s competitive healthcare job market. This article incorporates insights from Ann Marie Christopher, shared in collaboration with Workforce Singapore. Read the full original article here. If you would like to discuss current market trends and reports, please reach out to us at marketing@ethosbc.com .