Work It

You were scouted for an informal chat for a potential job, but things didn’t move on to the next stage. Suddenly, you noticed that your boss’ behaviour towards you shifts and he’s cold. Is it all connected, or just coincidence? How should you handle this awkward situation? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

For those keen on career growth, getting a postgraduate degree is often seen as the next logical step. But will the investment pay off, or is it just an expensive venture? Nat Fetalvero and Gerald Tan speak with Bernie Chng, associate director at Randstad Singapore, to unpack the true value of doing a Master’s programme and alternatives if you’re not willing to take the plunge.

You made a mistake at work which set your team back and may have affected your manager’s trust in you. How do you bounce back from that?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

Management isn’t always everyone’s endgame. In a society that often equates success with taking up a management position, is there another way to progress in your career? Nat Fetalvero and Gerald Tan sit down with GEA’s HR vice president Ilja Rijnen to unpack whether leading teams will really add value to your career. 

Higher pay and faster promotions, or steady bonuses and ironclad job security? In this week’s Work Feed, Nat Fetalvero and Gerald Tan trawl stories on social media to unpack the pros, cons and trade-offs between a career in public service and private sector jobs. 

Singapore’s always-on work culture is taking a toll on relationships, with some jobs leaving little room for connection. CNA TODAY journalist Nikki Yeo tells Nat Fetalvero how to spot the difference between a busy season and a job that’s simply unsustainable, and why manager role-modelling matters more than wellness workshops.

Your co-worker is putting in the bare minimum for team projects. How can you collaborate with a capable yet calculative colleague?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

Serial entrepreneur Jeremy Ko went from having a side gig of designing websites at age 13 to founding four businesses. Nat Fetalvero and Gerald Tan speak with him to unpack how to find market opportunities and grow sustainably – all while not cracking under the extreme workload. 

There’s nothing more frustrating than leaving a meeting feeling more confused than when you walked in. What can you do when your boss often gives vague answers to your questions? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

The traditional career path – study, graduate and get hired – is undergoing a seismic shift. As entry-level roles disappear, young job seekers are left questioning their place in the workforce. Nat Fetalvero and Gerald Tan speak with Chiew Chun Wee, regional policy and insights lead at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and Adeline Tiah, career coach and change management consultant, to unpack what’s happening to early careers and how young people can stay relevant. 

The decision of who gets promoted often feels like a mystery, but what is clear is that it takes more than just being good at your job. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan speak with Shub Faujdar, founder and chief career coach at JobS-ME Singapore, to unpack why visibility matters and whether it is time to consider leaving if you’re being repeatedly passed over for a promotion.

Some companies offer a “golden handshake” when they retrench their workers. Financial advisory manager Lily Fung, who got a high six-figure sum, shares with Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan what she did with the money after she was laid off from her company of 20 years.

Job hopping has become common among the younger generation, but critics say too many short stints may leave a bad impression on recruiters. But if it's part of a clear career plan, it can boost your salary and widen your network. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan discuss how to make each move count.

Mentorship in the office can shape careers in unexpected ways – but only if it’s done well. From navigating soft skills to managing mentor-mentee tensions, Teoh Mei Ting and her mentor Irene Yong, both from engineering consultancy firm Beca, share tips on how to make the most out of this workplace relationship.

For many professionals, retirement is far from their mind and they want to seek work that is fulfilling. Lim Kai Ning, co-founder of The Courage Chapter, shares how they help seniors return to the workforce, and why age can be a big asset.

Having lunch while working may be a common practice, experts warn that there could be health risks. This habit may also have the opposite effect of lowering productivity too. CNA TODAY journalist Tang Jia Wen shares with Nat Fetalvero why a small mid-day break can have huge payoffs at work.

Leaving a job role after 16 years for something different takes more than just opportunity – it requires bold courage. Guest Ivan Aw made a strategic pivot to embrace AI and shares with Gerald Tan and Nat Fetalvero the lesson he learnt about not waiting for the perfect moment to make the switch.  This episode was brought to you by UOB. 

With job roles changing rapidly in the age of AI, employees are constantly encouraged to pick up new skills. But what if you're asked to learn something completely new? Dean Tong, head of group human resources at UOB, shares steps on what companies can do to support employees whose jobs are redesigned by technology.   This episode was brought to you by UOB.

After years of working as a safety specialist, 36-year-old Joe Kwek took the plunge and transformed his fascination with digital tools into a full-fledged tech career. In this episode, he tells host Nat Fetalvero how failing the initial training tests didn’t deter him from pursuing his dream.    This episode was brought to you by IMDA. 

As AI becomes embedded in workplaces across industries, even non-tech companies are seeing major shifts in how work gets done. Nat Fetalvero chats with Goki Muthusamy, head of people at Visa, and Samuel Hoong, assistant technology manager at SimplifyNext, about role redesign and how to stay competitive in a fast-moving world.   This episode was brought to you by IMDA.

At an age when most people are in their early career years, 29-year-old sprinter U.K. Shyam retired from the track. The former national 100m record holder in Singapore shares with hosts Nat Fetalvero and Gerald Tan how his first career switch was “not by choice” but crucial in preparing him for future career shifts in an ever-changing job market.

In a bittersweet episode for the Work It podcast, Tiffany Ang bids farewell to the show. Tiffany reflects on her favourite episodes and imparts one last crucial piece of wisdom for our listeners on the power of allyship in your career. As we say goodbye to one host, we welcome another, Nat Fetalvero, who will be joining Gerald Tan to continue the conversation on thriving in the workplace.

You’re asked to take on extra work for colleagues who are away on training or long leave, and there’s no one to share the load. How do you address this with your boss? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

With the rise of AI and international labour mobility, companies are now rolling out the red carpet to find the best talent globally. But how do employers attract and retain their skilled workforce, and has Gen Z changed the rules for everyone? Tiffany Ang speaks with Manjit Singh of Sun Life Asia, Ichiro Miyoshi of Marunouchi Innovation Partners, Cisco’s Anupam Trehan and David Ha from Sakana AI. This episode was recorded live at the Milken Institute Asia Summit 2025.

Someone has been promoted in your team, but he is reluctant to lead.  How do you handle and support a manager who needs managing? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

Zames Chew was 16 years old when he asked for his father’s help to register a business, one that bucked the usual Gen Z trend. Together with his brother Amos, the two young brothers turned a passion project into a thriving handyman business by their twenties. The founders of Repair.sg share their perspectives on why more young people are taking up blue collar jobs.

When management ignore deadlines and warn to staff to “be careful” on employee engagement surveys, how can you raise complaints when going directly to your boss isn’t an option?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

Disguised retrenchments, unreasonable performance improvement plans and redeployment without support may be considered steps to unlawful termination. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan speak with Clarence Ding, partner and head of employment at global law firm Ashurst, to unpack the questions to ask during an exit conversation and what to do when a termination feels unfair.

“Love your job and you’ll never work a day in your life” is no longer the motto for a modern workforce. Tiffany Ang and CNA TODAY intern Deborah Ng explore how career mindsets have shifted post-pandemic and how to find fulfilment in a regular job. 

Your colleague – and perhaps even your boss - is vaping around the office. It's hard for you to whistleblow but you’re worried for your health. How do you approach this conversation?   Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

The decision of who gets promoted often feels like a mystery, but what is clear is that it takes more than just being good at your job. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan speak with Shub Faujdar, founder and chief career coach at JobS-ME Singapore, to unpack why visibility matters and whether it is time to consider leaving if you’re being repeatedly passed over for a promotion.

Some people say work is just work, while others treat their job as a calling - even when it's unglamorous. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan dive into viral confessions on Reddit from people who say they love their jobs and explore what it takes to find meaning and joy at work.  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

With salary guides widely available online, many jobseekers rely on them to set their expectations. But are they accurate and representative? Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan speak with Eugenia Ng, director at recruitment firm Michael Page, to unpack why salary benchmarks vary across sources and how to use these numbers to negotiate.

Restoring dignity to the dead and bringing closure to grieving families are all in a day’s work for trauma cleaner Rahman Razali. He shares with Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan how an unexpected job turned into a calling and what drives him.

Attracting and guiding interns are crucial steps to identifying potential full-time hires in the long term. But how should supervisors effectively manage them? CNA TODAY Deputy Chief Editor Yasmine Yahya joins Tiffany Ang to unpack how to lead young talent.

Envelopes for monetary contributions are being passed around the office for gifts and farewells. Is it rude to not chip in? How can you reject frequent collections without burning bridges?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

Losing a job can be a traumatic event. Is it possible to deliver the bad news compassionately without coming off as patronising? Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan chat with career coach Chee Sze-Yen on how to have this conversation and what employees should expect when being retrenched.

Your salary is late and your employer blames the bank. Should you give your boss the benefit of the doubt? What can employees do to secure what they’re owed? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

Communication is a buzzword that often appears in job descriptions and resumes. But when the stakes are high, what does effective communication look like? Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan speak with senior nurse manager Patrick Lin from Tan Tock Seng Hospital on how he navigates difficult conversations in life-or-death situations, and how he would assess for communication skills in interviews. 

From unanswered job applications to oversaturated industries, Tiffany and Gerald unpack why the job market feels rough and how to stay marketable.   Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

Many people enjoy the idea of being their own boss, but starting your own business isn't as liberating as it sounds. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan unpack what it takes to be an entrepreneur and what sets a side hustle apart from a successful startup.

Beyond KPIs and productivity, Gen Z workers also value healthy corporate culture. But is there a place for colleagues whose main contribution is their energy and charm? CNA TODAY columnist Kelvin Kao shares his research on the phenomenon of “personality hires” - what do they bring to the table, and what we can learn from the way they work?

Not all workplace exits come with farewell lunches. When a respected colleague leaves with only a brief goodbye email, is it normal to feel unsettled?   Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

Brain fog, insomnia, mood swings – many women brush aside these symptoms of menopause, thinking it’s just stress. Senior HR leader Julie Lee, shares how the biological changes affected her career and explains why companies need to rethink their policies to retain talent. 

There may be colleagues in the office who are close to retirement and not motivated to do more. What can you do if that extra work falls on you?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

In an increasingly competitive job market, it’s not enough to secure a good internship. Your performance during the stint is a crucial stepping stone to nailing that full-time job. So what do you need to do to impress potential employers? Ho Zhi Hui, co-founder of Skilio, a startup matching up students with companies breaks it down.  This episode was recorded live at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 

Feeling stuck in your current job but uncertain about what’s out there? How should you decide if you should stay put or start looking for something new?  Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg 

Graduate programmes like management associate or trainee programmes promise an accelerated career pathway. What are the expectations and is this route a better option if you don’t want to specialise? Samir Bedi from EY Asean People Consulting Leader gives his advice.

You just joined a company and there’s an uncooperative colleague who sees you as competition. What can you do to ease the tension? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

Job hopping has become common among the younger generation, but critics say too many short stints may leave a bad impression on recruiters. But if it's part of a clear career plan, it can boost your salary and widen your network. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan discuss how to make each move count.