They have the exec advantage

SINGAPORE - Ambitious, eloquent and unafraid to seek new career challenges: these are the qualities a star executive should possess.

And these were the qualities My Paper scouts found in many candidates they signed up for this year's My Paper Executive search in the Central Business District yesterday.

Now in its sixth year, the hunt for Singapore's savviest young executive aims to uncover up-and-coming executives and maximise their potential by putting them through a series of workshops to improve their deportment, and business-networking and communication skills.

One game candidate who believes she would benefit from these workshops is Ms Geraldine Goh, 27, a marketing executive at Citibank. She was scouted, along with three friends, while on her lunch break.

Describing herself as a go-getter, Ms Goh hopes the contest would give her a leg up in the workplace, as it has for past contestants, who have gone on to bigger things.

"Given that it's a dedicated executive-search contest, I believe it will help me boost my business profile and make me stand out more as a professional," she said.

As for her edge over other contestants, she said that aside from being meticulous and very task-oriented, she has the gift of connecting with other people easily.

Still, she believes there is much room for improvement. "I'm looking forward to the workshops to help me brush up on my business etiquette," said Ms Goh.

"At the very least, I'm quite sure I will have fun with my friends who signed up."

Altogether, more than 130 executives were signed up yesterday - a 20 per cent jump from the first-day numbers recorded in previous years. This is a testament to the growing popularity of My Paper Executive. 

Mr Dominic Chan, 32, a sales manager at Prudential, believes he has what it takes to be the ultimate corporate-savvy executive.

His strongest point that will see him through the contest? Pursuing anything which captures his interest with undying passion.

"I'm very dedicated in whatever I choose to do. I have a 'never-say-die' attitude," he said. Other candidates said they had heard about how the competition greatly benefited candidates in previous years.

Such was the case with Ms Denise Chua, 25, a customer-service executive with DBS Bank, who was impressed with what she had read so far.

"It was a valuable experience for them. I hope that by joining this executive search, I will also be equipped with skills to help me rise through the corporate ranks," said Ms Chua.

She confessed that she often suffers stage fright just before giving presentations at the workplace, and hopes the competition can help her overcome it.

Other contestants, such as recruitment consultant Michael Lee, 29, were keen to give the contest a shot just for the contacts they would make.

"It's an experience worth trying out. I'm a very sociable person and I'm always open to making more friends," he said.