07 October 2017
Softening economic conditions are forcing fresh graduates to lower their expectations in the job market.
Labour market figures released by the Ministry of Manpower showed that Singapore’s economic performance remained uneven in the second quarter of this year. Hiring has remained cautious in industries such as construction and marine.
Furthermore, joint survey data released earlier this year by the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and Singapore Management University showed a smaller proportion of last year’s graduates securing permanent full-time jobs within six months of graduation.
Anecdotally, landing desired full-time jobs remains challenging for the class of 2017.
Fresh graduates interviewed by the mainstream media indicated they have been receiving replies to applications just 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the time.
Local universities have instituted measures aimed at getting students ready for the job market. SMU, for instance, assigns a career coach to each student to support them in their career planning, and there are also compulsory career services workshops for its students.