SINGAPORE: One burnt-out employee says they are beginning to question whether their job is worth the constant stress after returning from the weekend to an inbox overflowing with “urgent” requests from colleagues.

The employee, who shared their frustrations on Reddit, said they had already stayed back in the office until 9 pm the previous Friday, trying to clear a massive backlog, only to log in again after the weekend and find yet another pile of work waiting for them.

“When I opened my email, it got flooded with urgent task after task,” the employee wrote, adding, “It just feels exhausting again since I opened my email today. I have been in this job for about 8 months, and I dread going to work every day.” 

“The workload is insane, the company culture is toxic, and there’s 0 flexibility given to me. There is no WFH, colleagues are all yes-men, and [I have] a toxic manager.”

The employee said they have been trying to push through for quite some time, repeatedly convincing themselves that “work is just work” and that things would eventually improve.

However, the situation appears to have worsened as work increasingly spills into weekends, with colleagues sending tasks during off days and clients calling outside working hours.

Now feeling completely burnt out, they turned to others online for advice and asked the question that had clearly been weighing on them for some time

“I just find myself mentally and physically drained. Should I just quit?” they wrote.

“If you want to quit, find a job first. The market is volatile.”

The post quickly drew responses from other Singaporeans, many of whom shared similar experiences working in high-pressure environments.

One Redditor, who said they had once been in the same situation, urged the employee to begin searching for a new role immediately.

“Start your job hunt now. Disregard any and all negatives; mental health is often under-appreciated. No point in daily torturing yourself, especially if you’re below your 40s; there’s still a long runway ahead. I’m in my 50s and honestly don’t care, just working towards my final 1/3 of working life… You will do better once you take the 1st step.”

Another commenter suggested a different approach and advised the employee to simply “quiet quit.”

“Just quiet quit. Weekends are for resting. These people know no boundaries in disturbing your off days. If they try to pinpoint your mistakes, make sure to keep all receipts to cover your ass. Don’t think it’s right to squeeze people dry like that.”

A third commenter shared that they had also resigned from a similarly toxic situation.

“I was in a similar situation as you, and I chose to leave on impulse while I was interviewing. It was really a leap of faith; I cried multiple times because I was anxious, and I really guilt-tripped myself because I had big-ticket items coming up (BTO, wedding). I think ultimately it depends on whether you have big-ticket items coming up and if you’re okay with losing that ‘leverage.’”

A fourth added, “Always use this as a guideline nowadays—if you want to quit, find a job first. The market is volatile.”

In other news, a Singaporean who graduated from a “well-known” university in the United Kingdom revealed online that despite sending out more than 100 job applications since December 2025, she is still unable to secure a full-time role.

In a post shared on a local forum on Friday (May 22), the graduate said she returned to Singapore believing her qualifications and experience would give her a decent shot at landing work.

Read more: UK graduate says she has sent over 100 job applications but still cannot land marketing role in Singapore

This article (‘There’s 0 flexibility’: Singapore worker opens up about burnout and workplace stress) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A young Singaporean woman expressed her anger online after her father suddenly lost his job despite spending years working hard and remaining loyal to his company.

On a Reddit forum called “r/SingaporeRaw,” the daughter said she found it rather unfair that her father was laid off after the company decided to relocate its production operations to Malaysia.

“My dad did everything society and this government tells you to do,” she wrote. “Worked hard for years, paid taxes, contributed to CPF, raised a family, and stayed loyal to his company. Yet all it takes is one decision to move jobs elsewhere, and suddenly our family’s future becomes uncertain.”

She also shared that her father had not been acting like himself in the weeks before the retrenchment.

According to her, he became “quieter, more distant” and would spend long periods staring at his phone after work.

“My mum kept asking if something was wrong, but he just brushed it off and said he was tired,” she said.

The truth finally came out a few days later when he broke down and admitted he had lost his job.

The daughter explained that her father is the sole breadwinner of the family, while her mother is disabled and unable to work. She and her sister are also still studying and are financially dependent on him.

She added, “People always say there’s financial assistance available. Maybe there is, but anyone who has actually needed it knows it doesn’t magically solve everything, like school fees, transport, groceries, utilities, and medical expenses. [They] don’t disappear overnight.”

Seeing her father quietly worrying over finances at the dining table has also caused her to reflect on whether ordinary Singaporean workers are truly protected in their own country.

She said, “Every election, we’re told Singaporeans will be protected and that good jobs will be created for locals. But when I look at my dad sitting at the dining table, wondering how he’s going to support the family and pay next month’s bills, I can’t help but wonder what that protection actually means.”

“Maybe there are economic reasons, or maybe companies have to do what’s best for business, or maybe my family is just unlucky; policies don’t work in favour of us. For families like mine, those explanations don’t make paying the bills any easier.”

“I would suggest you contact social workers.”

In the comments, one Singaporean Redditor remarked, “This is sadly the price of capitalism. With a mix of monopoly, it makes it worse.”

Hoping to be of some help, another user wrote, “I would suggest you contact social workers for assistance for your family. I am not familiar with schooling assistance, but for your mum’s disability, see if you can get HGC, which can be S$600/month.”

A third wrote, “Very sorry that this has happened to your family. I believe your father is already at an age where upskilling and other nonsense schemes by the govt won’t be easy or produce any results.”

A fourth added, “Guess it’s time for your family to take stock of any expenditure that is not necessary. And for you and your sister to get part-time jobs if possible.”

In other news, a fresh university graduate in Singapore has found themselves caught between practicality and ambition after receiving a job offer paying S$3,000 a month —a salary they admitted feels difficult to accept, yet equally difficult to walk away from.

Compared with recent graduate salary figures, which place median starting pay anywhere from S$3,840 for ‘Arts, Design and Media’ graduates to around S$5,500 for those in ‘Information and Digital Technologies,’ the offer struck them as rather low.

Read more: ‘If desperate, just take liao’ — Singaporeans weigh in after fresh grad receives S$3K job offer

This article (‘The company he worked for decided to move production to Malaysia’: Daughter upset after father’s layoff, says he ‘worked hard and stayed loyal’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore workers received pay rises for a second straight year in 2025, although wage growth slowed compared with 2024.

The good news is that workers were still better off in real terms. With inflation easing, salaries stretched further, giving employees a stronger boost in purchasing power than the year before.

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on May 28, nominal wages for full-time resident employees who stayed with the same employer for at least a year rose by 4.9 per cent in 2025, down fro`m 5.6 per cent in 2024. After adjusting for inflation, real wages increased by 4.0 per cent, up from 3.2 per cent the previous year.

Nick Karean/The Independent Singapore News

MOM: Wage Growth 2025

The figures suggest that while pay packets didn’t grow as fast based on data, workers still benefited from a lower cost-of-living environment than in 2024.

More companies remained profitable

MOM’s report showed that business conditions stayed fairly healthy through 2025. More than eight in 10 establishments, or 83.1 per cent, reported making a profit, up from 80.8 per cent in 2024. At the same time, the share of companies reporting losses fell to 16.9 per cent from 19.2 per cent a year earlier.

The data paints a picture of a business sector that stayed resilient despite ongoing global economic uncertainty. Smaller firms were still more likely to report losses than larger companies, mirroring the tougher operating conditions faced by businesses with fewer resources.

Employers became more careful with salary increases for employees

While most employers continued raising salaries for workers, there were signs of greater caution. About 72.4 per cent of establishments increased wages in 2025, down from 78.3 per cent in 2024. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of firms left wages unchanged, up from 18.5 per cent the year before.

Among companies that granted pay increases, the average wage rise was 5.8 per cent. Employee retention remained the main reason employers chose to increase salaries. In a tight labour market, retaining experienced staff remains a priority for many businesses.

Only 3.1 per cent of companies reduced wages; those that did generally faced weaker business performance than in the previous year. The trend shows that workers still expect wage growth, but businesses are also preparing for economic uncertainty and rising costs.

Wage gains spread across sectors and job levels

One notable finding from the report was that wage growth was broad-based. Rank-and-file employees saw wages grow by 4.8 per cent, junior managers by 5.1 per cent and senior managers by 4.9 per cent. The differences between these groups narrowed, suggesting gains were shared more evenly across the workforce.

Every sector recorded positive wage growth. Administrative and Support Services posted the strongest increase at 7.5 per cent. The sector includes cleaning, security and landscape services, where lower-wage workers continue to benefit from the Progressive Wage Model and Local Qualifying Salary requirements.

Financial Services and Insurance Services also recorded healthy wage growth as demand remained strong for professionals and managers.

Nick Karean/The Independent Singapore News

MOM: Wage Growth by Industry 2025

The accommodation and construction sectors still saw pay increases, but at a slower pace than the previous year, as hiring demand stabilised following the post-pandemic rebound.

Workers can expect real wage growth to stay positive in 2026

MOM expects real wage growth to remain positive in 2026. However, businesses are likely to stay cautious when deciding on salary increases due to inflation risks and geopolitical tensions.

As such, workers may continue seeing pay rises, but probably not at the pace many experienced during the stronger post-pandemic recovery years.

The report indicates that wage growth is still tied to productivity. Sustainable salary increases depend on businesses becoming more productive, workers upgrading their skills and companies maintaining healthy financial performance.

What matters more now than how much salaries increase is how much purchasing power is left for Singaporeans after their everyday expenses are paid.

Read related: Singapore job hiring drops across most sectors despite AI-driven manufacturing demand; employment outlook weakens in the coming months

This article (MOM: Wage growth slowed down for workers in Singapore last year compared with 2024; expected to stay moderate in 2026) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: New data from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shows that workers in Administrative & Support Services enjoyed the strongest wage growth in 2025, outpacing employees in finance, insurance and several other traditionally higher-paying industries.

The figures come from MOM’s Report on Wage Practices 2025, released on May 28, and offer a closer look at how salaries moved across different sectors over the past two years.

Earlier this year, MOM reported that Singapore’s median monthly salary rose to S$5,775 in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024. The latest breakdown shows that the gains were far from uniform.

Support services came out on top

According to the MOM data, workers in Administrative & Support Services received average wage increases of 7.5% in 2025, making the sector the strongest performer among all major industries.

At the other end of the table were Accommodation and Food & Beverage (F&B) Services, which recorded the slowest salary growth.

Finance and insurance jobs are associated with higher pay packages, yet their wage growth over the past two years hasn’t kept pace with that in support services.

Nick Karean/The Independent Singapore News

MOM: Report on Wage Practices 2025

The findings show that salary growth and salary size aren’t always the same. A sector can offer high pay while still recording slower annual increases than industries playing catch-up.

Two years of gains add up

Looking at cumulative wage growth from 2024 and 2025 paints an even clearer picture. Workers in Administrative & Support Services saw wages rise by nearly 17% over the two-year period. In practical terms, that amounts to roughly two extra months of 2023 salary spread across the period.

Workers in sectors near the bottom of the rankings still experienced gains, though at a slower pace. Their cumulative wage growth ranged between about 8% and 9%, equivalent to roughly one additional month of 2023 income.

One notable change involved Wholesale Trade. While it slipped to the bottom of the cumulative rankings, the sector may be positioned for a stronger recovery.

Nick Karean/The Independent Singapore News

MOM: Report on Wage Practices 2025

According to the data, rising demand linked to electronics manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) has boosted trading activity and improved sentiment within the industry.

The wage outlook for 2026 remains mixed

Singapore’s economy expanded by 6% in the first quarter of the year, showing strength across multiple sectors. Yet businesses are also facing uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting trade and energy markets, which may make employers more cautious when deciding on salary increases.

Workers in electronics manufacturing and wholesale trade could be among the better-positioned groups if current industry trends continue. Strong demand tied to AI-related supply chains has helped drive activity, and profitable companies may have more room to reward staff.

For many other sectors, however, wage growth could depend on how global economic conditions develop over the coming months.

Number averages only tell part of the story

The latest MOM figures show why headline salary numbers never tell the whole story. A rising national median wage is encouraging, but workers experience the economy differently depending on where they work.

For employees, the report offers a useful benchmark. For employers, it serves as a snapshot of where competition for talent is heating up.

As always, salary growth is strongest when businesses perform well, and workers continue to build valuable skills. Economic conditions matter, but so does staying adaptable in a changing job market.

Read related: MOM: Wage growth slowed down for workers in Singapore last year compared with 2024; expected to stay moderate in 2026

This article (SG Ministry of Manpower wage report 2025: Which industries are workers’ salaries rising the fastest in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A local TikTok user did not hold back her opinion that although Singaporeans are highly educated, some are ill-behaved toward workers in the Food & Beverage and other service industries, and she gave examples of the unreasonable demands they’ve made.

In her May 24 post, @reneechongruien began by saying she was aware her opinion is an unpopular one. However, as a full-time F&B worker, she expressed that “Singaporeans can sometimes have the worst attitudes toward service staff that I’ve ever encountered.”

Ms Renee clarified, however, that as controversial as her take is, it does not come from a place of hatred toward any culture or nationality but is simply based on her observations while working.

The content creator, who is also a musician, explained that she has been financially independent since the age of 18, paying for most of her personal expenses as well as her brother’s tuition and enrichment classes. As an F&B worker, she works six days a week, from nine to 11 hours each day, with only a 45-minute lunch break. 

“Singapore often prides itself as one of the most educated countries in the world,” Ms Renee said. “However, I’ve also come to realise that being highly educated does not necessarily translate into kindness, basic respect, or empathy.”

Ms Renee then began to give examples of the poor behaviour she has encountered while working in the service industry, starting from complaints about poor customer service.

“To be clear, customers absolutely have the right to give feedback when it’s justified, especially if staff are rude, careless, or genuinely provide poor service. Mistakes happen, and accountability matters. However, I’ve also seen colleagues getting scolded or yelled at for things that honestly feel unreasonable to me,” the TikToker said.

She said that customers have gotten upset or angry when they were given coins as change instead of notes. Others have had a negative reaction when others were served before they were, even though they weren’t first in line. 

In another case, customers expected the F&B staff to clean up a mess that their child had made “far outside of the store.

Finally, others have complained about “waiting more than five minutes” in spite of a long queue during peak hours, and only one staff member was inside the store doing everything.

“From my perspective, so if this reactions are honestly shocking and absurd. 

Singapore has one of the highest employment rates in the world, and yet many people seem unable to extend basic patience or empathy towards workers when dealing with stressful conditions,” she added. /TISG

Read also: Food delivery rider argues with F&B staff amid holiday rush to fulfil orders; others say situation should have been avoided

This article (F&B worker says some Singaporeans have the worst attitude toward service staff) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Speaking at Vogue Singapore’s inaugural Wellness Day on June 6, leadership consultant Crystal Lim-Lange explained that Singaporeans aren’t silent for lack of ideas. They stay silent because they are paying close attention.

“Singaporeans don’t speak up because they’re damn smart,” she said in a TikTok and Instagram video posted after the event, adding, “They know that their workplaces are not safe enough to speak up.”

The leadership expert’s direct take on why many Singaporeans stay silent at work has resonated with Singaporeans online, exposing toxic workplace culture, underscoring the importance of psychological safety, and raising questions about whether employees are truly free to voice their concerns when they arise.

The video has since attracted strong reactions from local employees who said her remarks mirrored exactly what they experience in many workplaces. Workers are usually encouraged to speak up if they have a problem, but many these days first watch how others are treated before deciding whether it is even worth the risk.

“Will I be rewarded or will I be punished?”

Ms Lim-Lange, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Forest Wolf, said employees weigh in a question to themselves, “Will I be rewarded or will I be punished?” before sharing an opinion, asking a difficult question, or even challenging a superior.

According to Ms Lim-Lange, many workers believe they already know the answer to that question. She explained that speaking up involves taking what she described as an interpersonal risk, which could mean admitting a mistake, saying “I don’t know”, or simply offering a different viewpoint that has nothing to do with a lack of communication skills.

In the video, she said organisations frequently ask her to conduct workshops that encourage employees to speak up. Her response is that such programmes are unlikely to work if deeper workplace problems remain unresolved.

She explained that employers need to improve “psychological safety, inclusion, learner safety, contributor safety and challenger safety” within the organisation before expecting employees to be more vocal.

When silence feels like the only safer option

The clip gained traction fast, with many workers in Singapore saying it captured a reality they had experienced firsthand.

Several commenters shared stories of employees being labelled difficult, sidelined or ignored after raising their concerns. Others said companies promote openness in theory but react negatively when staff challenge decisions or point out problems.

Online comments also indicated that some workers felt organisations valued obedience over thoughtful disagreement.

These reactions point to similar tensions in many workplaces. Businesses seek innovation and fresh ideas, yet employees may hesitate if past examples suggest that speaking up carries career and emotional abuse risks. For workers in such unfortunate situations, silence feels like the only safer option.

Artificial harmony: The hidden cost of keeping silent

Ms Lim-Lange believes that silence also comes at a price. Speaking to Mothership, she warned against what she calls “artificial harmony,” in which workplaces appear polite and conflict-free on the surface while important problems remain unspoken and unsolved.

Problems left unaddressed can later lead to bigger disputes, poor decisions, duplicated work, and inefficiency. Her argument is that healthy organisations should encourage respectful disagreement to progress rather than suppress it.

Leaders, she said, should reward thoughtful dissent and create space for quieter voices to contribute. Employees who challenge ideas may only want to improve outcomes rather than create problems.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, organisations may find that honest feedback and diverse viewpoints become even more valuable.

Silence that goes beyond just office life

The discussion, which has resonated with many, especially local workers, on both social media platforms, also goes beyond workplace meetings and performance reviews.

Many Singaporeans recognise the instinct to avoid rocking the boat, whether at work, in school or in social discussions. Respect for authority and social harmony have long been valued traits, but they can sometimes make difficult conversations harder to have. The challenge is finding a balance.

People should be able to raise concerns respectfully, and leaders should be willing to hear them without treating disagreement as disloyalty and/or disrespect. When that happens, speaking up becomes less of a gamble and more of a contribution.

A workplace doesn’t become innovative because employees are told to be brave. It becomes innovative when people see that honesty is welcomed, thoughtful criticism is respected, and raising concerns will not come back to haunt them with unpleasant repercussions.

This article (‘Singaporeans don’t speak up because they’re damn smart!’ — SG CEO explains employees think first, ‘Will I be rewarded, or will I be punished?’ before speaking up) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s job market has taken a sharp turn. After ending 2025 on a stronger footing than many expected, businesses are now showing far less appetite to hire.

New survey data from the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS), reported by Vulcan Post, points to weaker business sentiment over the next six months and softer hiring plans across much of the economy.

When hiring slows there, the effects spread beyond office towers and into everyday spending, household planning, and career decisions.

Manufacturing finds support while other sectors lose steam

The outlook isn’t equally weak across every sector. Manufacturing seems to be holding up better than expected, supported by demand linked to artificial intelligence (AI), especially in semiconductor-related activity. According to the report, this strength has helped cushion weaker performance elsewhere in manufacturing.

Still, that support comes with limits. The article noted that gains are uneven and concentrated in select areas rather than broad-based growth, meaning stronger demand in one corner of the economy doesn’t automatically create opportunities across the board.

Services face the bigger hiring slowdown

Earlier in the year, most industries still expected to expand hiring after a stronger-than-expected 2025, but this optimism has now faded.

The latest business outlook shows that only recreation and personal services expect higher hiring activity. Several sectors that are usually seen as dependable employers are turning more cautious. Finance, viewed as a stable source of professional jobs, is also expected to face pressure rather than expansion.

Retail trade recorded one of the steepest changes in sentiment. Expectations moved from net positive territory earlier in the year into negative ground, making it one of the sectors facing the strongest pullback.

Longer job search periods and tougher competition for openings

Hiring sentiment doesn’t equal actual job losses, but it does act as an early signal. Companies usually reduce expansion plans before making larger workforce decisions. When uncertainty rises and costs increase, employers tend to delay recruitment and become more selective.

For Singaporeans planning a job switch, returning to work, or entering the market, this could mean longer search periods and tougher competition for openings.

At the same time, hiring slowdowns don’t hit every skill group equally. Areas linked to technology, automation and specialised industrial work may continue to see demand even as hiring cools.

Businesses are choosing caution in hiring for now

In summary, many employers seem to be waiting for greater stability before making hiring commitments.

Singapore has navigated difficult periods before and recovered faster than expected, but for now, the mood has changed from expansion to caution.

When hiring weakens, workers who keep skills current, stay flexible and expand their options usually give themselves the best chance of riding out slower cycles.

Read related: Meta terminates 8,000 jobs globally, while Singapore staff receive their termination e-mails at 4 AM, as the company moves on with its new AI-focused teams

This article (Singapore job hiring drops across most sectors despite AI-driven manufacturing demand; employment outlook weakens in the coming months) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

TAIWAN: Artificial intelligence (AI) may be portrayed as a threat to jobs for many workers around the globe at present times, but NVIDIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang believes that fear is simply overblown.

Speaking at Computex 2026 in Taipei, Huang pushed back against claims that AI will lead to widespread unemployment among software engineers. He described the idea that AI is reducing jobs as “complete nonsense” and argued that the technology is having the opposite effect. Instead of shrinking workforces, companies are hiring more engineers to take advantage of AI’s growing capabilities.

Huang’s remarks coincide with a growing effort by businesses across the globe to integrate AI into products, services and daily operations, raising ongoing questions about how the technology will restructure the workforce.

AI’s profitability is making engineers more productive

Huang’s argument centres on productivity. He said software engineers who use AI effectively can now produce far more work than before. Rather than making engineers obsolete, that increase in output makes them more valuable to employers.

Huang estimated that the world’s 30 to 40 million software developers, who collectively earn around US$3 trillion (S$3.85 trillion) in annual salaries, are now generating roughly three times as much productive output with the help of AI tools.

From his perspective, higher productivity creates more business opportunities. As companies discover new products and services they can build, they need more engineers to develop and maintain them.

He suggested that employers would only reduce hiring if overall output remained unchanged. Instead, businesses are expanding because AI is allowing them to do much more.

AI has become a business tool, not just an experiment

Huang also argued that AI has reached a turning point. He pointed to the rise of “agentic AI,” systems that can perform tasks using tools such as web browsers, spreadsheets and coding platforms with limited human input. Unlike traditional chatbots that mainly answer questions, these systems can plan and carry out actions.

Such upgrades are helping companies generate revenue from AI products and services. To support his view, Huang cited data from GitHub showing that software development activity continues to rise despite rapid advances in AI.

Developers made nearly one billion software updates in 2025, while more than 36 million new developers joined the platform during the year. The figures suggest that interest in software development remains strong even as AI tools become more capable.

NVIDIA’s vision for the next generation of computing

Beyond the jobs debate, Huang used the event to unveil Nvidia’s RTX Spark AI superchip, developed with Microsoft and MediaTek.

The chip is designed to run powerful AI models directly on personal computers without requiring an internet connection. Huang described it as one of the biggest changes to personal computing in decades.

He also outlined a future where dedicated AI systems operate in homes, offices, factories and robots, helping people manage everyday tasks and work more efficiently.

The long-term impact of AI on jobs remains a subject of debate. However, Huang’s message was that workers who learn to work alongside AI may find themselves in greater demand, not less.

As companies continue to invest heavily in technology, the challenge may be adapting skills fast enough to keep pace with the changes ahead.

Read related: NVIDIA to launch its new research hub in Singapore, marking latest boost to city-state’s artificial intelligence drive

This article (‘Complete nonsense’ — Jensen Huang rejects the need for global workers to fear AI-driven job losses, says more software engineers will be needed) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 25-year-old graduate says he is beginning to feel like he is “watching everything collapse” after spending the past six months unemployed despite submitting between 400 and 500 job applications since graduating from a local university in December 2025.

Sharing his frustrations on a local online forum, the graduate shared that he has been applying to practically every type of job available and has long stopped caring about “market average” fresh graduate salaries or whether the position even matches his economics degree.

“Bruh, I’ve applied to countless types of jobs… and nothing, damn,” he wrote. “The number of HR screening calls I can count with one hand, the number of serious interviews/assessments, count with one finger (that’s 1). And that has been put on hold; suddenly the company is re-evaluating if they want to hire for that position (WTF?).”

Although he has been channelling his energy into self-improvement and staying disciplined, he admitted the uncertainty surrounding his future still feels overwhelming.

“I have been trying to stay disciplined, work out, and learn new skills, but honestly the pressure—I got a partner and a future to worry about while my savings are drying up. I don’t know, it feels like everything’s collapsing.”

By the end of his post, the weary graduate said, “Thought I’d vent it all here, if anyone relates, maybe we can talk it out together.”

“It’s time to change up your job search strategy.”

Given the sheer number of applications he had sent out, several Singaporean Redditors speculated that his résumé might be part of the problem.

One individual wrote, “Hmm, maybe there’s a problem with your resume? (Sounds crazy, but just check, I guess.) your resume has some formatting issues causing it to not be picked up by systems properly?” 

“Try to view your applications and make sure whatever info you filled in is correct and your resume is downloadable.”

Another shared, “Not saying this to flex, but something is definitely wrong with your resume. I am getting 2-3 interviews a week in finance, fintech and engineering firms, and failed all my interviews.” 

“The opportunity is certainly there, and it’s not as bleak as what everyone says (yes, I know there’s truth to it, but successful people don’t share their stories online). I hope this can renew your confidence and retackle your problem from the bottom up.”

Some Redditors also encouraged the graduate to stop relying solely on blind online applications and focus more heavily on networking instead.

“At 500 application rejections, it’s time to change up your job search strategy,” one commenter advised.

“Easiest way to get a job is through networking. Sounds like you might just be submitting applications blindly. It’s not about how many jobs you apply for but the quality of each submission. Go network with friends, classmates, family, alum, former colleagues, professors, etc.”
Another person encouraged him to reach out directly to his university for support. 

They said, “What school? Ask the professors and faculty for help. No need to be embarrassed, or they should be when their product fails in the market.” 

“I’m saying this because I and my wife and other alums who are in middle management now have been personally asked by the school (NUS) to hire or at least favor our own graduates whenever possible. Also shows how brutal the market is right now.”

A handful of commenters also attempted to lift the graduate’s spirits, encouraging him not to let the repeated rejections crush his confidence.

One wrote, “Don’t give up. Even though it’s getting harder and harder. If you have specialised software skills, maybe you can do some side hustles. Have not been working since the end of 2022 here.”

Another commented, “Hang in there! One thing that I’ve seen that helped me and others was also getting in through referrals—even if you don’t know somebody, you could connect through LinkedIn and express your interest in the roles, and if they would be okay to refer you in.”

In other news, a fed-up wife turned to social media to vent her frustration after her husband allegedly refused to help out with household chores, even after their domestic helper left the family.

Posting in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER Facebook group on Thursday (May 14), she shared that they had had a helper for six years.

Read more: ‘70% of our marriage he’s been jobless’: Wife says unemployed husband refuses to help after maid left

This article (‘It feels like everything’s collapsing’: 25-year-old graduate says he’s still jobless even after sending 400 to 500 applications) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singaporean workers appear to be feeling growing pressure in the job market after analysts said fresh graduates may need to taper their salary expectations.

Just last month, Aslant Legal founder and recruiter Shulin Lee also said that Singapore workers are not “hungrier” than foreign workers, as she explained why companies she’s working with are letting go of Singaporeans and hiring talent from neighbouring Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines instead.

With these comments, a netizen questioned, “You’re not hungry enough, but you also should not ask for more. Which one is it?”

Online comments surfaced after a June 1 Channel News Asia (CNA) report titled “Fresh grads in Singapore may need to taper salary expectations amid uncertainty: Analysts”, which cited a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) survey of residents aged 22 to 28 who said they were earning less than they had anticipated.

The report also highlighted that a third of university graduates rejected job offers due to low pay. Analysts explained that this was because graduates believe a higher starting salary provides a buffer in case of slow salary increments and its influence on their future earnings.

However, they warned that, with companies becoming more cautious on pay increases amid global uncertainty and inflation risks, unrealistic salary expectations may lead graduates to miss out on opportunities and prolong their job search.

Commenters did not hold back from reacting online. One user quipped, “Funny how we need to keep accepting lower and lower wages despite productivity improving and inflation increasing”, while another said, “Funny how analysts never ask businesses to taper their expectations of consumer spending power and lower prices.”

Questions about Singapore being “pro-business, not pro-workers” also surfaced.

A third, meanwhile, rattled off what Singaporeans were being asked to do: raise the city-state’s fertility rate, fund their parents’ allowance, upskill to be ready for an AI-ready economy, support local businesses, and more.

A fourth remarked that the “winners” are those who inherited properties from their grandparents or parents, as “[they] don’t have to do much”. /TISG

Read also: ‘It’s a prediction problem’: Recruiter’s comment on Singaporean workers not being ‘hungrier’ than foreign workers gets more backlash

This article (‘Not hungry enough’ and asking for too much? Singaporeans question mixed messages to workers) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: People are taking it online to express their frustration with the demanding job market, coupled with challenging economic conditions.

Essentially, the discussion is about how difficult the job market has become, especially for junior and mid-level workers. Malaysia’s jobless rate rose in April to a six-month high, as the increase in unemployed people outpaced hirings, as reported by The Edge; this does not inspire confidence among job seekers.

Quoted from The Edge, uncertainties arising from the global energy crisis, geopolitical developments, and external demand conditions may affect the pace of economic expansion and labour market performance, the DOSM cautioned.

Malaysia’s unemployment rate rose to 3.0% in April 2026, the highest level in six months, as the number of people seeking employment grew faster than the number of jobs created.

Despite this increase, the labour market remains relatively strong by international standards, with economists generally viewing a 3% unemployment rate as close to full employment, indicating that almost everyone who wants to work and is able to work can find a job within a reasonable period of time.

Due to the economic uncertainty, people are suggesting taking a job to survive and planning for comfort later:

“Find a job you feel you can survive in for a while and that pays ‘enough’, and hope that you can advance in it or that what you learn can help at another job,” and “I hate my call center job, but it pays the bills and for my hobbies, so I’ll have to stick with it as much as I can for as long as I can.”

On the other hand, people are questioning why the job market is so demanding, yet the pay is deemed unfair.

“Gahhhhh! The job market now really macam. We want someone young, experienced, creative, and strategic who can do 7 roles at once, is willing to work weekends, and knows AI, video editing, social media, data, sales, events, and copywriting. Salary: RM3.8k.”

Based on the report, Malaysia’s unemployment remains relatively low overall, but job creation appears to be slowing. In such an environment, it may be prudent to secure available opportunities rather than adopt a prolonged wait-and-see approach, as future openings could become more competitive.

This article (‘How are people surviving this job market honestly?’: Malaysians vent over rising demands and stagnant pay) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean online has wondered whether the level of competition and pressure in the city-state is becoming “a bit much” as he shared his observations about the job market becoming more challenging for locals. This made him question: “Is life in Singapore still worth the grind?”

In a post on r/SingaporeRaw, he shared, “Maybe it’s just the conversations I’ve been having lately, but it feels like the job market has become really rough.”

According to him, besides layoffs over the past few months, there have also been stories of fresh graduates and young professionals with one or two years of experience barely getting interviews despite sending out hundreds of applications.

“A lot of them aren’t being picky either. They’re genuinely trying to find work and get started,” he said, adding that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has made things “even crazier”.

Now that it has become much easier to mass apply to job openings, with job posts on LinkedIn getting over 100 applicants in a short period of time, he said that, as an applicant and as an observer, the figure easily becomes “pretty disheartening”.

“Then you hear comments about ‘lower-value human capital’ and it makes you wonder where things are headed,” he added. The phrase was used by Standard Chartered chief executive Bill Winters in reference to employees affected by the bank’s restructuring amid AI adoption, drawing criticism from some netizens who called it “unbelievably cruel language”.

Read also: Former Singapore president blasts StanChart CEO for calling workers ‘lower-value human capital’

Concerned about what this may mean moving forward, he asked: “If companies are becoming more selective while technology is making some work easier to automate, what does that mean for people just entering the workforce?…How will all this shape people’s longer-term plans?”

He also asked other Singaporeans: “Are you still optimistic about building a life here, or have you started looking overseas for opportunities, affordability, work-life balance, or simply a different pace of life?”

The post sparked discussion among commenters who weighed in on the pressures of working life in Singapore. Someone in his 40s shared he feels “a lot of fear” as a farmer merely struggling by, while another said, “sooner or later you and I would have to work and live elsewhere.”

Others, meanwhile, noted that Singapore is only great for singles with no dependents. Some also said they have observed more Singaporeans now leveraging family wealth instead of working hard to climb the ladder.

One commenter, however, pointed out that it’s all about the math. “By retirement, you should be able to live off the interest from all your wealth. If you can’t see yourself hitting that goal, then life in Singapore really isn’t worth it.” /TISG

Read also: Jobseeker shares employer he interviewed with specifically looked for ‘job hoppers’

This article (‘Is life in Singapore still worth the grind?’: Singaporean wonders whether the level of competition and pressure in SG is becoming a bit much) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.