3 secrets to be the top employee in Singapore

Positioning yourself as an indispensable staff member to your current boss or a desirable prospective employee to a potential one will put you on the right track to building your value to employers.

To demonstrate this, you will need to show a commitment to continually advancing your skills, expanding your industry knowledge, as well as showing passion and adaptability in your role.

Skilling up

To be successful in the workforce, your skills need to be aligned with the industry you work in, the position you hold or want to attain and the company’s standards.

Firstly, identify any technical gaps in your skill set, particularly any related to your daily responsibilities, as well as the transferable skills in leadership, communication or technology that you wish to obtain or improve.

Work toward developing these skills and strengthening your existing areas of expertise by undertaking postgraduate education or other programs or technology-based courses. Consider internal training opportunities, as well as distance-learning, online courses, workshops and conferences.

Know your industry 

To position yourself as an employee of value, build on your industry knowledge to ensure you are aware of developments and opportunities in your professional field.

Reading the relevant trade journals and networking with others involved in your industry at professional association meetings, events and conferences will keep you abreast of important industry updates. Regularly connecting with your network of contacts can also help to establish your reputation as an informed and valued peer.

Going beyond
To be seen by your employer as an employee that really adds value, set your goals beyond what is expected of you and work hard to achieve this standard.

Delivering high quality results, focusing on innovative solutions and being open to feedback will demonstrate dedication to your role and your adaptability to different tasks. Offering support to your colleagues also displays your positive attitude towards teamwork, and provides the opportunity to enhance your existing skills or gain a new skill set.