Latest news with #careerstruggles
Independent Singapore
27-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘I can't stop comparing my salary with others' — Fresh grad opens up about pay gap among peers
SINGAPORE: Salary comparison among peers is something many fresh graduates quietly struggle with, especially when everyone seems to be starting their careers at different speeds and pay scales. For one young man, this quiet struggle became overwhelming enough that he turned to Reddit to ask: 'How do I stop comparing my salary with my peers?' In a post on the r/AskSingapore subreddit on Monday (May 26), the man shared that he had recently graduated from university and secured a full-time job that pays a median salary. He rents a unit with a group of friends who, like him, have just entered the workforce. While he acknowledged that he earns enough to sustain himself and even save a little, he admitted that living with housemates who bring home noticeably higher salaries has made it difficult not to compare. 'I earn less compared to my housemates and can't seem to stop comparing my salary to them,' he wrote. 'I know I'm supposed to be grateful, but as a high-achieving student, it feels upsetting to be at the 'bottom' now, relative to my friends. I worked just as hard, studied just as hard, yet the outcome is different,' he added. Turning to the Reddit community, he asked others if they've ever experienced the same thing and how they managed to cope with the pressure of measuring up. 'Has anyone struggled with the same feelings? How to deal/cope with them? Advice is appreciated, thank you,' he wrote. 'Use it as inspiration for you to work harder.' Under his post, many users advised him to stop comparing himself to others, pointing out that career paths are rarely linear and that salary differences, especially early on, don't necessarily reflect long-term success or personal worth. One user stated, 'Everyone runs their own race! There isn't a need to compare. Just work hard to reach your own goals and be contented.' Another wrote, 'Comparison is the thief of joy. No point comparing. You get S$4,000 salary now, you'll think S$8,000 shiok. Then you get S$8,000, then you see people earn S$12,000, you get sad. What's the point?' To make the man feel better, a third user said, 'I suggest you not compare. For someone who started as a poly grad and has been in the workforce for 20 years. My starting pay was low compared to my friends in university. However, now at 42, I'm earning more than most of them.' Others, however, suggested that the man use this as motivation to improve his career prospects. One said, 'Use it as inspiration for you to work harder, or in strategising your way into a different industry, or in pursuing a side hustle.' In other news, a 31-year-old Singaporean woman who accepted a lower salary in hopes of gaining experience is now regretting her decision, less than a week into the job. In a post on the r/askSingapore forum on Friday (May 23), the woman shared that she had accepted a lower salary during the interview process because she believed this 'would help her secure the job, gain experience, and get higher negotiating power in the future.' Read more: 'Should I just leave this job?' — Woman regrets accepting lower salary in less than a week into the job, as her assignment turns out to be different from what she applied for Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
26-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Woman ‘feels stuck after graduation' as she's been jobless for 6 months, says, ‘I have applied to countless roles, even approached job agencies'
SINGAPORE: After five long months of job hunting with no success, a young woman took to social media to open up about how the process has left her feeling discouraged, judged, and increasingly anxious about her future. Sharing her experience on the r/askSingapore Reddit forum on Monday (May 23), she explained that she has been actively looking for work since she graduated in December 2024. 'It's been five months now (almost six), and I'm still searching. I have applied to countless roles, even approached job agencies,' she said. 'But every time I talk to them, I get the same question, 'What have you been doing for the past five months?' which I answer honestly that I have been job hunting because I haven't received any offers. Then they will follow up with 'Why not take a part-time job in the meantime?'' She said that while she understands the intention behind such questions, they often leave her feeling like her efforts are being dismissed, as though she's not doing enough. 'I do understand their point, but it's disheartening that I'm also trying my best to stay motivated. I feel like I'm falling behind my classmates,' she wrote. Hoping to find support, she turned to the online community to ask if others had gone through something similar. 'Has anyone else experienced this? Or how do you respond to that kind of question without feeling like you are 'useless' and can't get a job for so long.' 'Prepare a better thought-out answer…' The responses she received in the comments were mixed. Some Redditors who had gone through similar situations empathised with her struggles and offered words of encouragement. They shared their own job-hunting experiences and reassured her that it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed and disheartened, especially when nothing seems to fall into place. One Redditor said, 'I graduated in July 2024 and have been searching for a job since. The market is harsh. It is not a reflection on you. Take it from me, a fellow jobseeker (also in this wilderness)—people are unkind.' Another commented, 'You are a fresh grad. It's ok to take a bit longer to find your ideal job. Remember, your first job can set the stage for the rest of your career – not always, but potentially.' Others, however, felt that the recruiters weren't entirely wrong. They pointed out that gaps in employment can be a red flag for some employers and suggested that she should be more prepared to explain how she's been spending her time. A few suggested that instead of simply stating she had been job hunting, she could also mention any small projects, courses, or personal development efforts she had taken on during that period to show initiative. See also MOM reports decrease in retrenchments, growth in employment for Q3 One Redditor added, 'Shouldn't you prepare a more polished answer? Every interview question is an opportunity to convince them that you are an appealing candidate. Responding with 'I've been job hunting and haven't received any offers' isn't doing you any favors. Prepare a better thought-out answer (travel the world, self-improvement, volunteering, freelancing, taking care of family issues, etc), though I wouldn't suggest lying.' Some also recommended taking up part-time or temporary work in the meantime. One wrote, 'If you are taking more than 3 months to find a job, you should already start doing something like a part-time job or find an internship to do. If calls come in, you can always ask to be excused for a few hours to go for the interview or take MC to go for the interview, it's not like an interview is a 3-day event thing.' How to confidently answer interview questions about employment gaps based on tips from Indeed : 1. Explain why you left your last job You can start by briefly explaining why you are currently unemployed. This could be due to a layoff, a mismatch with your previous role, or other personal or professional reasons. For example, you might say, 'Seven months ago, I lost my last job due to a company-wide layoff.' 2. Emphasise how you stayed productive Employers often want to know whether you stayed productive and focused on self-improvement despite not having a formal job. So when explaining your gap, be sure to share how you made the most of that period, whether it was by learning new skills, taking courses, volunteering, or working on personal projects. 3. Highlight the efforts you made Let them know you've been actively looking for the right role by updating your resume, attending events, and speaking with recruiters. 4. Share your progress Mention any new skills or knowledge you gained, such as through online courses, volunteering, or attending workshops. 5. Explain how you handled challenges If there were difficulties during the gap, talk about how you worked through them and what you learned. 6. Keep things positive Focus on how the time off helped you grow or gave you clarity about your career path. Frame it as a valuable experience that made you more ready for your next role. Read also: 'Should I just leave this job?' — Woman regrets accepting lower salary in less than a week into the job, as her assignment turns out to be different from what she applied for Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
