Singaporeans Navigate Job Market’s Rising Uncertainty

Facing layoffs and fierce competition, workers adapt with networking and career reinvention.

Unexpected job loss can be devastating. For some Singaporeans, global economic shifts and tech industry volatility have turned job searching into a marathon of applications, networking, and resilience, demanding fresh strategies for a changed landscape.

Creative Approaches to Networking

After being laid off from Google in April, Uzen Tan, 30, became a Grab driver, affixing a placard to his seat stating “I got retrenched!” to turn each ride into a networking opportunity. More than 20 passengers have scanned his resume’s QR code, with some offering advice; he’s chronicling his journey on TikTok.

Tan, supporting his HR manager wife and their toddler, views driving as a way to pay bills and stay positive, despite the stress and eczema flare-ups from the uncertainty.

Job Market Realities

Singapore’s low unemployment rate (2% in 2024) belies the increasing reality of layoffs. Long-term unemployment (25+ weeks) rose to 0.9% in March 2025, from 0.8% a year prior, according to Ministry of Manpower data. Unemployment is highest for those under 30; a 2024 survey found 12.9% of autonomous university graduates unemployed six months after finals. Additionally, 25.2% of private institution graduates reported being unemployed.

Economic Anxiety Persists

Many employed Singaporeans are also anxious. A 2025 NTUC survey revealed that 34% of respondents feared job loss in the next three months. A 2023 survey indicated 35% worried their jobs might soon be obsolete.

Strategies for Weathering Unemployment

Having been laid off three times since 2015, Kyson Xu, 35, experienced his most recent layoff in November 2024, from a software firm. Over four months, he sent 329 applications, had 16 interviews, and faced three final-round rejections before landing a marketing director role.

“Every role I applied to had over 100 applicants,” Xu said, reflecting the sentiment that the process can feel hopeless.

LinkedIn data confirms this struggle: a 2024 survey across 17 markets showed half of jobseekers and 60% of hirers feel applications are harder. Nearly 40% of applicants apply more but hear back less, as most applications don’t meet listed criteria. Vacancy portal Jobstreet saw a 9% application increase per job in April-May 2025, while available jobs decreased by 13%.

AI’s Double-Edged Sword

AI’s rise is a factor. While jobseekers easily generate numerous cover letters, companies can filter them out. According to the Harvard Business Review, while AI is expected to displace 85 million jobs globally by 2025, it will also create 97 million new ones, requiring workers to adapt and reskill (Harvard Business Review).

Kirsty Poltock of Robert Walters Singapore notes the modern search is about scale, speed, and automation. Paul Lim, a senior lecturer at SMU, advises staying updated on industry trends to get noticed.

James Ching, a career coach retrenched in 2020, advises prioritizing quality networking and applications over quantity. Poltock suggests tailoring applications, networking on LinkedIn, and engaging recruiters. While 59% of candidates use AI, over half of employers can detect AI-generated applications, according to a 2025 Robert Walters survey.

Financial Preparedness and Mental Health

Jobstreet’s Samantha Tan says entry-level roles take weeks to months to fill, mid-level one to three months, and senior roles several months to a year. Alvin Fu of AIA advises budgeting for a three-to-six-month search, reassessing at three months, and considering short-term gigs. Lim advises focusing on what is “enough” rather than “ideal.”

After being laid off, Adrian Kee took a 50% pay cut, then faced another six months of unemployment. He advises planning for big expenses and protecting mental health. To shield his son, he invested in family-friendly activities like zoo memberships.

Combating Silence and Rejection

Jobseekers often face silence instead of rejection letters. Ching recommends support groups. For Tan, content creation was a creative outlet. Lim stresses avoiding “learned helplessness,” taking control by upskilling and networking. For those with fewer burdens, unemployment can be a time for reinvention.

After struggling with antidepressants, Lim Lishan, 32, embraced a low-cost lifestyle, traveling solo and rediscovering passions, leading her to start a yoga and wellness business. Kishore Kumar, 26, took part-time retail work before landing a copywriting job, emphasizing avoiding desperate decisions. Melvyn Loey, 43, extended his career break to care for parents, supported by savings, advising others to build a rainy-day fund and reframe negatives.

Ultimately, Loey prioritized family and reframed unemployment as an opportunity, highlighting the importance of perspective and preparedness in navigating career transitions.