Work Bestie

askST Jobs: Should I let a prospective employer contact my current boss for a reference?

Reference checks should be handled carefully to protect a candidate’s current employment.

Commentary

A first job offer? Why the salary might not be the whole story

Data suggests that the gap between what many graduates expect and what employers are actually paying is wider than most realise – and that holding out for the imagined offer sometimes comes at a real cost.

Fresh grads need to build at least two years of internship experience, soft skills in AI economy

The panel discussion on the future of work in an AI-powered world was moderated by Yvonne Lim, cluster director for Asia Tech x Programme Office and Digital Industry Singapore at Infocomm Media Development Authority. Panellists include Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow, Singapore Management University's president Professor Lily Kong, Singtel Singapore's chief executive Ng Tian Chong.

askST Jobs: I’ve worked only in my family business. Can I still move into the corporate world?

Compensation in family businesses often reflects ownership, trust and long-term stewardship, rather than pure market benchmarks for a given role.

Outside your comfort zone in social situations? Don’t suppress the stress

Stress won’t ever feel pleasant. But the next time you find yourself in an unfamiliar social situation, take a step back before you try to suppress it, says the writer.

Tastemakers

Owners of hawker stall chain Jofa make bold move to open $400,000 coffee shop in tough F&B year

Mr Joel Tan, co-founder of western grill stall Jofa Grill.

Raised on ‘karung guni’ money, they take pride in carrying their dad’s business forward

kjfurniture - Ms Beaunice, Ms Brillyn and Ms Blessance Toh (left to right) of Hock Siong & Co. Photographed on March 20, 2026.

Credit: Samuel Ruby
Photos by: Samuel Ruby, Aileen Teo
ST COPYRIGHT
SPH Editorial Use

askST Jobs: Why are new hires sometimes paid more than existing employees?

Salary compression occurs when the pay gap between new hires and long-serving employees in the same team or role becomes unusually small.

Finding Joy

I get by with a little help from my (work) friends

Friends add another dimension, infusing meaning into the work experience, says the writer.

40,000 tech workers to be trained in AI to automate coding, build agentic systems by 2029

CMG20260508-YeapCT03/叶振忠/卢慧菁/Honouring the leaders and teams driving innovation at the Tech Leader Awards 2026 [Hotel Shangri-La Singapore Island Ballroom, Lobby Level 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350]
Caption:
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How speaking at the Tech Leader Awards 2026 held at Shangri-La Hotel on 8 May 2026.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.