Ghosting, ‘intern-maxxing’ and career anxiety: What young S’poreans are up against in the first-job hunt

The search for a first job has become a challenging experience for young Singaporeans entering the workforce. Fresh graduate Philip Vendargon, who applied for nearly 200 roles before securing employment, found many applications met with silence. In contrast, Chelsea Yap, a communications graduate and now account manager at a fintech company, went to great lengths to increase her chances of landing her dream job by completing seven internships during her university years.

The conversation, organized by F ZINE, brought together Gen Z career builders and hiring managers to share their insights on the pressures and anxieties young Singaporeans face when starting their careers. Participants included Bessie Ye, founder of fashion label r y e, and Mahdhir Mustaffa, deputy director of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre.

The discussion highlighted the anxiety of comparison among young jobseekers, who often wonder if they are behind or not doing enough when they see others starting new jobs on LinkedIn. Some expressed concerns about being left without feedback after weeks of waiting for a response from hiring managers.

Hiring managers revealed that they evaluate candidates not solely based on their academic records or CVs but also on their personality and ability to bring something unique to the table. Ye emphasized the importance of personality, stating that she wants to feel she can learn from the candidate. Mustaffa suggested that jobseekers should find ways to showcase their individuality beyond formal credentials, such as surprising employers with an impressive achievement that isn't listed elsewhere.

For Philip Vendargon, seeking guidance through the Polaris by Volunteer Career Advisors (VCA) programme proved invaluable. In January, he attended a group advisory session under the program at the Career XP Fair organized by Workforce Singapore (WSG). Later, he signed up for one-to-one sessions with a volunteer career advisor, which helped him better understand his strengths, aspirations, and what he wanted from a job.

This reflective process enabled Vendargon to focus his applications more effectively and boosted his confidence during interviews.

The Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA), formed through the merger of WSG and SkillsFuture Singapore, offers career resources and guidance to help young Singaporeans navigate their career transitions. The agency provides career support and advice to enable Singaporeans to take charge of their careers, learn for life, and grow in fulfilling roles. For those uncertain about where to begin, SWDA offers career guidance to help them make informed decisions about their next steps from school to work.