Introduction

SINGAPORE: A local woman took to social media to express her frustration over a challenging job search. With an impressive 18 years of experience in the IT sector and new academic qualifications from a private university, she expected to find work relatively easily. Yet, she lamented that her journey has been far from smooth.

Job Market Struggles

In her post on the Reddit forum r/askSingapore, she revealed that her salary expectations were modest, only seeking compensation that aligns reasonably with her skill set and experience. Despite this, she faced a discouraging reality: after being searched 407 times on a job portal, her profile received just six views.

Seeking Guidance

“Am I the only one facing such a hurdle in finding a decent job? It's disheartening that a local individual is struggling here,” she shared, reaching out for advice on enhancing her resume for better visibility and interview opportunities.

Feedback from the Community

While several Reddit users offered support, they were unable to provide specific feedback on her resume, as she hadn't shared it. However, common advice included tailoring her resume to match the job descriptions of the positions she was applying for. One user stressed the importance of aligning skills with job requirements, warning that a mismatch, such as applying for cybersecurity roles with only IT support experience, could lead to automatic disqualification.

Importance of Networking

Networking also emerged as a crucial theme in the conversation. "Utilize your personal and professional connections! Often, it's not just about your CV, but who knows you that can get it noticed by the right people," one commentator pointed out, illustrating the competitive nature of job applications where many qualified candidates compete for limited openings.

Timing in Job Search

Moreover, some Redditors suggested that timing could also play a role in her job hunt. With the upcoming holidays, it was proposed she might have better luck searching for jobs after Chinese New Year when hiring ramps up as companies begin seeking new talent post-bonus season.

Broader Employment Trends

In a revealing twist, another IT professional shared on the same forum the staggering statistic of applying for over 1,000 jobs since being laid off in January, with no offers to show for his efforts. This marks his third round of retrenchments in twelve years, attributing his job losses to budget cuts and shifts in corporate relocation strategies.

Conclusion

The situation highlights a worrying trend for many in Singapore's tech sector, where seasoned professionals are finding it increasingly difficult to secure positions, raising broader questions about the job market's current state. Is this a sign of deeper issues in the local job market? Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the factors contributing to this employment crisis!