Jobless Singaporean Compares Struggles in Job Market Between Singapore and the UK

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man who recently returned home from London has voiced his frustration over the challenges he faces in finding a job, highlighting a stark contrast with his previous experience in the UK.

In a heartfelt post on the r/askSingapore subreddit, the man, who spent two years in London working in financial services with a focus on Compliance in asset management, expressed his belief that his professional experience would ease the process of securing employment in Singapore. However, since relocating in August due to family obligations, he has encountered significant barriers that have left him unemployed for four months.

"I never had unemployment last longer than a month while in London," he lamented, noting that this experience is leading to feelings of depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. "It's perplexing to see Singapore touting lower unemployment rates than the UK, yet I'm finding it far more difficult to land a job here compared to my time in the UK as a fresh graduate."

Seeking support, he appealed to fellow Reddit users for advice on improving his job prospects. He shared concerns about the financial burden of pursuing additional certifications, which can cost thousands of SGD, leading him to question the value of further education without a guarantee of a job.

The discussion sparked a flurry of responses from other Redditors who empathized with his plight. One commenter shared their friends' experiences, noting that tech professionals laid off during the ongoing downturn took an average of 11 months to secure new roles, which has led some to start their own freelance ventures or abandon the tech field altogether.

Echoing this sentiment, another user remarked, “It’s not just you; the Singapore job market is especially tough right now. Stay resilient and keep applying.” They stressed that Singapore's low unemployment rate can be deceptive, as many job seekers are forced to accept part-time, temporary, or lower-paying work outside of their qualifications, such as driving for ride-share services or working in the food and beverage industry.

A particularly striking aspect mentioned in the thread was the presence of highly educated individuals—many holding advanced degrees—working as private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers. This phenomenon contributes to the lower unemployment statistics, as it masks the reality that numerous qualified professionals are struggling to find positions that align with their skills and experience.

As the job market in Singapore grows increasingly competitive, many locals are turning to side jobs like food delivery and tutoring to make ends meet. Recent analyses by firms such as ManpowerGroup have shown a decline in hiring sentiment over the past few quarters, fueled by companies downsizing and moving operations abroad to manage costs.

The current state of the job market has led to a serious conversation around the challenges faced by job seekers and the need for a more supportive ecosystem that addresses the realities of employment beyond mere statistics.