SINGAPORE: A Tale of Resilience

In a tale that resonates with many in today's volatile job market, a man who recently left his stressful IT job has taken to driving for Grab and Gojek for up to 14 hours a day just to make ends meet.

Sharing his plight on the Reddit forum r/askSingapore, he revealed that the unmanageable stress pushed him to resign from his role a few weeks ago. "Now I’m jobless with loans to pay and a car I can’t sell—the outstanding loan is way more than it’s worth," he expressed, reflecting the challenges faced by those trying to thrive under financial demands.

Background and Job Search

With six years of experience in the IT sector, including robust skills in Python and software development, he has actively networked through LinkedIn, attended numerous career fairs, and enlisted the help of a career coach. Yet, despite sending out over 80 job applications, he has received little to no feedback.

"I only hold an ITE certificate. I’ve reached out to everyone I know, but so far, no luck," he lamented. Even his career coach insists that his resume is appealing, but the job search continues to be stymied. As a fallback, he is keen to transition into DevOps or software engineering and is even open to internships, believing they could provide him the experience he desperately needs. Unfortunately, even these opportunities seem to slip through his fingers due to his lack of a formal degree.

Impact on Health and Community

The intensity of driving long hours for ride-hailing services has also taken a toll on his physical and mental health. The emotional strain of his current situation compelled him to seek guidance from the Reddit community, stating, "It’s wearing me down. If anyone has advice or ideas or has been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate it."

Responses from Reddit Community

The responses from fellow Redditors shed light on the increasingly cutthroat job landscape in the IT industry of Singapore. Many pointed out that employers are leaning towards candidates with formal academic qualifications, heightening the competition. One user remarked, “The market is saturated with degree holders and retrenched degree holders. Even with a diploma, it will still be tough.”

While some Redditors advised him to showcase specific achievements on his resume to enhance his appeal, the overarching sentiment is that the job market remains challenging. The narrative is bound to strike a chord with many as they navigate these tumultuous economic waters.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the concerns, recent reports from the Ministry of Manpower indicate a robust rebound in the job market as of the third quarter of 2024, where an impressive addition of 24,100 jobs led to a historic low unemployment rate of 1.8%. This hiring momentum is anticipated to persist, particularly in the services sector, buoyed by seasonal demand and optimistic projections for economic growth in 2025.

As this man continues to battle through the obstacles of job searching and financial strains, there’s a glimmer of hope that the improving job market may eventually offer him a lifeline and the opportunity for a fresh start.