There are a few areas of the Singapore finance industry that are currently short on talent (~ 4Q2015-1Q2016), according to the job site efinancialcareers.
If you have the right qualifications, now is the time to take advantage of your skill set and seek out a job that could pay you better and leave room for upwards mobility.
Here are the nine easiest jobs to secure in Singapore’s banking/finance sector this year.
- Fund Accounting
In the fund account function more jobs are available then there are candidates to fill them.
If you have experience in the field, the lack of candidates can allow you to shop around.
Overall, fund accounting is a hot buy-side role those qualified should take advantage of.
- Digital Marketing
Few candidates exist with banking-sector digital marketing experience, which has created demand within the banking industry for qualified talent.
Speaking on the issue, Patricia Tan, head of sales and marketing at Charterhouse, stated, “Many banks in Asia have recently increased headcount in digital marketing as more customers, both retail and corporate, adopt technology for their daily financial services.”
- IT Audit
If you want to make the transition from an accounting firm to the banking/finance industry, an IT audit job is your ticket out.
You’ll encounter relatively lower competition, so even a moderate amount of experience should be enough to get your foot in the door for an interview.
- Cybersecurity
Anyone with expertise defending bank security systems has a lot of leeway in finding a quality cybersecurity position in Singapore.
Speaking on the issue, Roger Olofsson, head of technology at Charterhouse states, “As the barriers to entry for cybercrime decrease due to easier access to advanced technology, the demand for cybersecurity professionals will continue to be strong.”
- Product Marketing (Asset Management)
A mixture of strong product marketing and investment writing experience is currently very highly sought after in the Singapore job market.
- Internal Audit
There has been a long-standing skill shortage in this area, so the ability for internal auditors to move about the industry remains strong.
If you have the skills and the years of experience to back you up, you should be able to rise through the ranks of the industry to join one of the top companies.
Speaking on the issue, Robert Half officials have stated, “They continue to be in demand, driven by ever higher standards of corporate governance.”
- Transaction Banking
Banks are still attempting to find qualified transaction banking candidates after the expansion of the banking industry in Asia.
If you are in the trade-finance sub-sector, you are even more sought after by top companies.
Recruiters from Robert Walters even said that “hiring managers in trade finance are seeking middle to senior-level candidates who can understand the end-to-end process of trade finance and cover all products, the challenge is in finding people who can perform well in all functions of trade finance. Those who can are highly sought after.”
- Regional Compliance
Compliance jobs are some of the most abundant ones in Singapore, especially in an environment where skilled workers are becoming more and more scarce.
Due to the increased cross-border banking transactions happening in the country, more talent is needed for regional compliance staff in particular.
If you know the ins and outs of this industry, it is time to reposition yourself into a job with a future, more attractive benefits, and perhaps a pay raise.
- Risk and Commodities
Trade finance is currently the most in need of risk and commodities personal.
Speaking on the issue, Sidhant Sibal, a recruiter for Hudson stated, Demand for commodity-focused trade finance professionals at a manager level is high, with banks aggressively pursuing heads of trade finance who come from a commodities background, due to a large amount of their revenue being trade related.”