SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man, recently returned from a two-year stint in London's financial services sector, is finding the job hunt in Singapore more daunting than expected. Sharing his experience on r/askSingapore, a popular Reddit forum, he revealed that despite his background in Compliance roles within asset management and broking, securing employment back home has proven to be a significant challenge.

After relocating to Singapore in August due to family commitments, he has been unemployed for over four months—an experience starkly contrasting his time in London, where he rarely faced unemployment exceeding one month. He remarked, “The fact that Singapore repeatedly reports lower unemployment rates than the UK, but I find it so much harder to get a job here, is causing me depression, anxiety, and self-doubt.”

Seeking advice from the Reddit community, he inquired about potential paths forward, expressing frustration over the costs associated with upskilling. “Each certificate puts me thousands of SGDs in the negative, and there’s only so many I can obtain without risking waste,” he lamented.

The responses from fellow Redditors highlighted a growing concern among job seekers in Singapore. Many shared his struggles, emphasizing that he was far from alone. One user noted that friends in the tech industry faced long job searches, some extending nearly a year, while others shifted to freelancing or left the tech field entirely. “It’s not you; it’s the Singapore job market,” they reassured him.

Others pointed out that Singapore's seemingly low unemployment rates could be misleading. They suggested that many individuals unable to secure jobs in their respective fields are forced to take part-time or low-paying roles—ranging from Grab drivers to various gigs in the food and beverage sector. This situation gives an illusion of a healthy job market, while the reality reflects a different struggle where many professionals are underemployed.

The rise in competitive job-seeking has led many Singaporeans to explore side jobs to maintain their financial stability. Surveys from reputable sources like ManpowerGroup reveal deteriorating hiring sentiments, attributed to companies’ operations becoming streamlined and a tendency to offshore jobs to cut costs—further complicating the landscape for job seekers.

With economic conditions shifting, it's essential for both job seekers and employers to adapt to the evolving market. If you find yourself in a similar situation, remember that determination, networking, and continuous learning are key to navigating these trying times. The path may be tough, but support is available through communities and resources dedicated to improving career outcomes.