MOM’s recent Jobs Situation Report 18th Edition pointed out five key challenges that Singaporean jobseekers are facing in securing a new job. e2i understands these challenges are not simple, and we share ways to find help and mitigate these challenges.

Singapore witnessed a record drop in total employment of more than 172,000 jobs due to the pandemic and its subsequent impact on employers and employees. This is the largest drop in more than 20 years. Citizen unemployment was around 4.5% as of December 2020; this is the highest unemployment rate in the past 10 years. 

In 2020, the Government shared several initiatives to help citizens and the job market with the SGUnited Jobs & Skills Package as well as salary support schemes such as the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) and Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI).

The 18th Jobs Situation Report (JSR) released by the Ministry of Manpower in February shared the top five key challenges faced by jobseekers. There was a focus on the activities, and areas put in place by both WSG and NTUC’s e2i on helping jobseekers overcome barriers in their job search and to access hiring opportunities. 

These challenges highlighted by the JSR focus on softer skills that jobseekers might be facing when it comes to securing interviews, or passing the various interview rounds by potential employers. 

Here, we explore the various challenges commonly faced by jobseekers, and some tips and resources they can tap on to help them in their job search journey:

Outdated Job Search Techniques

Some jobseekers might not be aware and familiar with changes to the job search process from recent years such as the use of Applicant Tracking Systems in the recruitment process by both inhouse talent acquisition teams and external recruiters. This especially applies to those that might have been working in the same job or organisation for many years. 

Many organisations are choosing to bypass the print classifieds and publish job openings online on free job boards (such as MyCareersFuture, Indeed or Glints) as well as on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. 

Where to find help: 

1. Job Hunting Online – Non-PMET job seekers can search and apply for jobs online. This workshop includes basic resume writing and interview skills, and quick tips on the use of virtual interview platforms. 
2. Win the Job! Series – This is a series of three workshops for PMETs. The workshops cover effective resume writing, interview preparation as well as negotiating a job package. There is also space for one-to-one consultations and role-playing during the workshop. The three workshops run by e2i are Win the Search, Win the Interview and Win the Salary Negotiation!

Limited Networks

Owning and belonging to a wide network of contacts, acquaintances, and professional peers can help in getting recommendations, referrals and even securing jobs. Those who have been in the same role, sector and industry might have limited networks, and this can impact their chances of securing a new role. 

Having a wide network helps in landing jobs, recommendations and referrals also open doors for jobseekers. Those who have been in the same job or same sector for a long time may have limited networks, especially if they are looking to move into a new industry.

Where to find help: 

1. Network to Success: This is a workshop for PMETs to pick up networking skills and to connect with potential employers by leveraging on platforms. PMETs will pick up skills to help boost their personal brand by positioning themselves right and also building working relationships.
2. Industry Dialogue Sessions: These sessions are organised to bring in employers that are actively hiring to share insights about their industry, and the changes they see coming up. For example, in August 2020, e2i organised a session for the Finance, Pharma & Robotics industry. Interested participants can check the “Job Opportunity Briefing” and “Networking Sessions” tabs on the Events page on the e2i website for upcoming events.

Gaps in Job Skills

Many industries are going through transformation – whether digital, process or systems-based. These changes result in roles becoming more specialised, and create a need for employees to gain skills to bridge between their current and future scope. Jobseekers have to be aware that they might not have the skillsets or experience to meet employers’ expectations and demands of the new roles. 

As roles become more specialised and industries undergo digital transformation, bridging skills have gained importance. Jobseekers’ current skill sets may not be sufficient to meet employers’ expectations and the demands of new roles.

Where to find help: 

1. Career Navigator – The workshop helps Singaporeans access and use personality assessment tools as well as interprets the results. This is followed by a session to help align and connect these results with career goals, and create career plans to achieve them. 
2. Employability Camp – This is a one-day workshop designed for non-PMETs to gain awareness of the current labour market, access information and trends in hiring as well as equip them with necessary skills to increase their employability.

Hiring trends have drastically changed as well, as a reaction to both the pandemic and recovery. Some highly impacted industries such as aviation are on a hiring freeze; while other industries such as digital services, and software are hiring due to strong business. Overall, there is some optimism that organisations are starting to plan for recovery. 

e2i CEO Gilbert Tan discusses the employment landscape further and gives his input on the value of going for training in difficult times. 

There are many online resources available, such as the Skills Framework and the more detailed Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs). The skills needed for your role five years down the road may be very different from now. Even in a crisis, I do believe that employers are looking out for workers that can help them grow when the situation turns around. For those working a temporary job or are currently unemployed, perhaps now is the time to evaluate and brush up on your job application skills, especially those who had been in the same job for years.

Discomfort with New Work Conditions

Some jobseekers turn down job opportunities and offers. This is because they might feel unfamiliar or lack confidence adapting to a new work environment. 

Where to find help:

1. Career coaching and career guidance –  The career coaching journey starts with an advisory session that will help an individual  understand their career interests and preferences, recognise work motivations, and assess their strengths and barriers to employment. Thereafter, a career coach is assigned to help the jobseeker/employee with a solution-based approach to their career goals. 
2. SGUnited Traineeship Programme – Tertiary graduates that have recently graduated can apply for this programme. The traineeships can help these graduates develop professional skills and acquire industry experience. 

Emotional Barriers

Jobseekers that have been unemployed for a long period, retrenched or overly focused on returning to a similar role that might no longer be available can find themselves building emotional barriers. These barriers take the form of not being open to new jobs, or rejecting roles from new industries, or those that have different scopes from a familiar industry. 

For example, jobseekers that used to work in highly impacted industries such as aviation or hospitality might find they are taking a longer time to find employment as these industries are still seeking an efficient way towards recovery. 

Where to find help:

1. Employability Camp – This is a one-day workshop designed for non-PMETs to gain awareness of the current labour market, access information and trends in hiring as well as equip them with necessary skills to increase their employability.
2. Career Resilience Executive Workshop (CREW) – CREW is a one-day workshop designed for PMETs. The session aims to build confidence and develop a resilient and adaptable mindset for jobseekers. The workshop covers how to plan and evaluate job search strategies, as well as provides approaches to help jobseekers learn to manage change. 

In order to take optimal advantage of the Employability Camp or CREW, jobseekers are advised to register for career coaching first. The initial career guidance advisory session will help a jobseeker or new employee understand their career interests and preferences before assigning them to a coach. The coach will help to identify upcoming Employability Camp or CREW sessions – if relevant for the jobseeker – and provide information on registration and outcomes.