Job Seeker’s Frustration: Navigating Months of Job Applications and Interviews in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Searching for employment in a competitive market can be daunting. One Singaporean professional recently shared his relentless job search journey, describing it as a continuous struggle over the past year.

For more than a year, this individual applied to countless jobs, attended career fairs, and participated in endless interviews. Despite his efforts, including taking upskilling courses to boost his qualifications, he faced numerous rejections and was left questioning his future in the working world.

A Year of Uncertainty

He confessed that the job search was psychologically taxing, saying, “365 days of endless job applications, countless interviews that go nowhere, and rejection emails that all start to look the same.”

As the months stretched on, maintaining a positive outlook became increasingly difficult. He expressed his feelings of hopelessness, saying, “Now, the weight of uncertainty feels unbearable.”

Challenges Piling Up

His savings were dwindling, and the gap in his résumé grew more concerning with each passing day. The jobseeker faced pressure from friends who advanced in their careers and family members who expressed both concern and disappointment with his situation.

He commented, “Friends have moved on in their careers. Family members ask, ‘Still no job?’ with that mix of concern and disappointment. I avoid meet-ups now—it’s easier than explaining the same struggle over and over again, ” he explained. “Anyone in the same boat as me? Life feels bleak,” he asked the community.

Seeking Solutions

In the Reddit AskSingapore forum where he posted his struggles, he received a mix of advice and solidarity from fellow Redditors.

One suggested that if he was receiving interview invites, the issue might lie in his interview skills. They advised, “Could it be an interview issue? I realized I might tend to over-share a few things that lead to rejection, so evaluate your own interviews to see where you can improve. After all, if you’re getting interviews, it means your resume is doing not too bad!”

Another Redditor suggested he ask for feedback during his interviews. They wrote, “A good way to improve your interview performance is to ask the interviewer for feedback during the interview before the session ends. Share with them that you want genuine, honest feedback.”

The Importance of a Strong Resume

Others recommended refining or even rewriting his résumé. One suggested, “Look up tips online (YouTube/Google) or even pay professional resume writers to help revamp your resume. It makes a lot of difference the way you word your resume to attract companies to give you an opportunity.”

Support from Fellow Seekers

The community echoed his frustration. One commented, “I have been trying to get an FT (full-time) job as well, similar to your case, countless interviews that go nowhere, mass applying but nothing.” Another Redditor added, “Month 6.5 of being jobless, and I’m now scared.”

Improving Interview Skills

According to Michael Page, a renowned recruitment agency, consistent practice is key to improving interview skills. This means reviewing common interview questions, thinking of several answers to each, and attending as many interviews as possible.

The agency advises not just asserting skills but providing evidence. Instead of saying, “I’m a great leader,” a candidate should recount a specific instance where they led a team to success.

Ask Informed Questions

Michael Page also recommends preparing insightful questions for the interviewer. Instead of asking generic questions, focus on the challenges of the role and how performance is measured.

A pertinent question they suggest is, “If I get the job, how will you evaluate my performance after six months?”

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)