Singapore's Job Market: A Graduate's Perspective

A graduate from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has taken to social media to voice his frustration over the dire state of the job market, describing it as “scary” for fresh graduates.

In a candid post on Reddit’s NTU forum, he laid bare the heightened demands from employers that make securing a job a Herculean task for those just starting out in their careers.

“The job market is so bad right now, it’s scary. Most jobs require a master’s degree, coding skills, or three years of experience—sometimes all three irrespective of your major,” he lamented.

Struggles of Recent Graduates

Like many recent graduates, he has been sending out applications left and right with little to show for his efforts. “I’ve applied everywhere but haven’t heard back from anyone. I’m starting to wonder if my resume is just too boring,” he added.

The graduate also shared his concerns about the evolving landscape of job hunting, which he believes has worsened since the pandemic struck. He predicts an even tougher 2025 for job seekers.

The Competition is Fierce

Firstly, he observed that seasoned professionals with substantial experience appear to struggle just as much as newcomers. It’s becoming increasingly common for even these individuals to apply to over 100 positions only to find their applications going unanswered time and time again.

He raised a critical point about the increasing prevalence of Artificial Intelligence in recruitment processes. Many companies have started using AI to filter resumes, which means real hiring managers may never even see the applications. “It’s daunting to think that a robot is deciding my future,” he remarked.

The Decline of Career Fairs

The graduate also touched on the reduced value of career fairs, asserting that they are no longer the fruitful networking events they used to be. “HR personnel at these fairs can be uninterested or dismissive. They often redirect applicants to online portals where your resume is likely to join the abyss,” he said.

Concerns About NTU's Job Portals

Additionally, he expressed disappointment with NTU’s job portals, claiming they do little to facilitate genuine connections. “They may have unique job listings, but it’s hard to see the value when applicants are still largely ignored,” he noted.

A Community Perspective

In a sign of solidarity, other NTU graduates flooded the comments with their own frustrations. Many echoed his sentiments on the increasing competition in the job market, with one former classmate attributing the oversaturation to a rise in individuals pivoting to tech careers for high salaries.

Another graduate reflected on her struggles during the pandemic’s peak, highlighting how the 2020 graduate cohort faced significant difficulties and delayed employment due to stiff competition with those taking longer apprenticeships.

Some suggested the original poster expand his job search beyond the tech sector. “Seriously consider applying for non-tech roles and keep an open mind,” one comment read.

A Glimmer of Hope

In spite of the overarching negativity, there’s a glimmer of hope for jobseekers in Singapore. According to a recent report by RHB, the labor market is projected to improve considerably in 2025, particularly within the manufacturing and services industries.

The report underscores a promising trend seen in late 2024, where employment rose by 24,100 positions and the unemployment rate fell to a historic low of 1.8%. This indicates that while the current landscape is undeniably challenging, brighter days may not be far off.