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Independent Singapore
6 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘I'm exhausted': Local UI/UX designer on the brink of giving up after a year-long job hunt
SINGAPORE: A 28-year-old local has confessed on social media that he is on the verge of giving up on his career in UI/UX design after more than a year of job hunting. Posting on Reddit's singaporefi forum on Wednesday (Aug 13), he explained that, aside from the fact that the industry feels 'completely saturated,' most companies seem to be hiring only for senior roles that demand years of experience—positions that, in his view, 'no one can realistically fulfil.' 'I have a functioning portfolio website and internships on my belt. I've been applying over and over, but it feels like shouting into the void. I just want to give up,' he said. He added that many of the jobs he has seen in recent months appear to have gone to people from 'outside the country,' which has only intensified his frustration. 'It's hard not to feel invisible. Why won't they give us a chance? We're easier to train because we don't have to unlearn old habits, and we're motivated to prove ourselves and grow. I just don't understand. I'm exhausted,' he wrote, expressing the emotional toll the process has taken on him. 'If what you studied for feels like a dead end, I believe there's always something else.' In the discussion thread, several Singaporean Redditors explained why some companies have chosen to outsource a significant portion of their workforce. One Redditor said, 'Sorry to have to break the news: Welcome to late-stage capitalism. From a shareholder maximisation perspective, outsourcing makes total sense. With the pay of one local hire, they could probably hire 2-3 headcounts in India, Indonesia or even the Philippines.' Another shared, 'My company outsourced over 95% of the product team (including UI/UX) to Pakistan, with only the CPO in the Singapore office overseeing and coordinating the whole flow.' 'Those full-time Pakistan IT chaps receive pay around the [level of] our Singapore interns, which is far, far, far below the cost of hiring a full-time employee in Singapore, but still much higher than the Pakistan industry average. As for the website, it is maintained by an intern who does it as a fun side project, not even extra money is paid to him.' See also Singaporean fresh graduates: Quarter-life crisis Meanwhile, a third Redditor suggested that the jobseeker widen his search and explore other sectors. 'At this point in time, I strongly suggest you look at Singapore government agencies or related companies, e.g. DSTA / HTX / GovTech / NCS / ST Eng. They are hiring for sure. The pay may not be great, but it is easier to find a job when you have a job.' Others, however, advised him to switch industries. One wrote, 'If what you studied for feels like a dead end, I believe there's always something else.' Another shared, 'I gave up on my industry after graduating with a diploma. For two years, I did not land a single job or available jobs were stagnant roles with low pay. Changed industry and doing better now.' In other news, an IT professional who was laid off at the end of last year has sparked a lively discussion online after asking for advice on how to better manage his finances. In a post on the r/singaporefi subreddit, he shared that he currently has around S$100,000 parked in a high-interest savings account, which earns him approximately S$140 to S$150 in interest each month. On top of that, he has S$91,000 invested in a mix of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and individual stocks. Read more: Netizens urge jobless IT professional with S$100k savings to hold off on investing
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
More Than Qualified: 5 Tips To Get Hired In Fintech In 2025
In a crowded job market this article share tips on how to stand out and get your next job secured. The goalposts have moved in today's job-hunting fintech market. Many people have worked hard throughout their entire careers. They have risen through the ranks, held senior leadership roles, and have been trusted to set direction and strategy. Until they faced redundancy and cost-cutting exercises. Now, after six months of job searching, their savings are dwindling, and the job market remains challenging with little sign of change. In 2024, the average job search duration for professionals in senior roles exceeded 5.5 months, up from 3.9 months in 2019. Despite hundreds of applications per role in the tech and fintech sectors, only 2% of applicants make it to the interview stage. The current fintech hiring climate reflects three years of leaner attitudes toward recruitment. The focus has shifted to functionality and productivity, often at the expense of strategic and senior roles. Strong candidates, all experienced, capable, and qualified, are competing for fewer opportunities. This article shares 5 tips on how to give yourself the best possible chance of getting your next role. Be Your Own Advocate In today's job market, conducting a flawless interview is not enough. You must be memorable, even days later, when hiring fatigued managers have seen too many applicants. You must be evidence-based so that when hiring managers face pressure not to hire at all, they know what value you will add and are willing to fight for you. Follow-up after the interview can tip the scales in your favour. This only works when you have been proactive and intentional at every step. Over-prepare by researching the company and the people you will see. Read their latest press, follow employee blogs or podcasts, and study their values and competitive landscape. Prepare strong, tailored responses to competency-based questions. Be specific with your answers, relevant using evidence-based answers, and confident in your success. Once achieved, your follow-up must centre around advocating for yourself. This begins with thanking your interviewers and leaving them with a clear reminder of why you're the best fit. If you're working with a recruiter, ensure they follow up with a well-crafted message within 24 hours. If you're managing this yourself, send that message directly. It may reach the hiring manager as they are deliberating between you and the next best candidate. Find A Community The emotional toll of job searching, especially in this market, cannot be overstated. Rejections are tough, and 61% of job seekers are negatively affected mentally by the prolonged unemployment. Finding a community can be a great confidence builder and offer a support structure. During her own search, Emily Baum, Senior Sales Climate Risk Solutions at FIS, created a peer-led job seeker community. They shared leads, discussed applications, and encouraged one another throughout the process. The support was powerful, and as members secured roles, they gave back by opening doors for others. Emily says she never knew how 'lonely' job searching could be, especially when you're out of work. The community support helped her to 'remove the stigma associated with being unemployed'. She said it 'created external champions' of one another when it was needed most. Bring Back The Personal Touch Standing out in today's market is not achieved through rushed automated emails. It is about precision, authenticity, and relevance. Tailored resumes receive more interviews than generic applications. Every resume should be relevant to the job. Assume your application will have humans and AI screening tools reviewing it. With this in mind, you want to think like an AI tool when checking your resume and cover letter. Look at the keywords and whether you have presented information using the verbiage described in the job advert. Your cover letter should align with the company's mission and values. You then need to think about what a human reviewer is looking for: flair, character, persistence, authenticity, passion? If you demonstrate emotional intelligence about what the job requires, you'll make all the difference. Beyond the application, get creative and add personal touches. Send a handwritten note and attend industry events. Join meetups and communities that reflect your passion and knowledge. Candidates who engage with a company's content or attend events are much more likely to be noticed and picked out of a pool of 300 resumes. Showcasing your craft is key. If you're a technologist, share how you are learning and experimenting with new tools. If you're in sales, make your presence felt at industry functions. Showcase Your Ongoing Learning One of the best ways to maintain momentum when between roles is to keep learning. Dedicate time each week to learning something new. Whether it's Artificial Intelligence, Python, or Blockchain, there are countless free resources available. Posting about learning journeys on LinkedIn builds positive online profiles. Your online footprint is just as important as your resume. People want to see your portfolios, read your case studies, and review your project demonstrations. Review your LinkedIn, portfolio sites, and even personal social media. Make sure everything reflects the professional you want the world to see. Hiring teams do check, and people have lost opportunities over careless posts or outdated profiles. Right-Sizing Your Experience Without Shrinking Your Worth One of the quiet frustrations many senior candidates face is being told they are 'overqualified' for a role. Often, they are more than capable and eager to perform. 25.9% of job seekers are overqualified for the jobs they apply for. In a market like this, many open positions come with responsibilities that applicants mastered years ago. They know they can do the job well, better than most, and yet hiring managers hesitate. The managers wonder whether the applicant will be bored, leave, or expect more than they can offer. Some worry the applicant might want their job through promotion. It is a delicate balance to get right. When applicants shrink themselves, it can be a huge confidence killer, especially when they still don't get the job. The key is not to make yourself smaller but to reframe your narrative. Successful applicants will prove how they have performed this scope of work in the past. Be specific and share concrete examples, even if they feel basic. Highlight measurable outcomes. Show that this role is not beneath you but within your expertise. Share that your experience allows you to deliver results with clarity, maturity, and speed. Just as importantly, explain why this role is right for you now. That might include your desire for more hands-on impact, greater stability, a return to core skills, or a healthier work-life balance. Whatever your motivation, it is essential to communicate it directly. Your message should confirm not only your ability to do the job but also your motivation to stay and succeed in the role. It can be discouraging to feel like you have to underplay your career to match a job. But this is not about shrinking yourself. It is about showing how your broader experience enables you to thrive in this role. Navigating this challenging market is a test of resilience. Using these tips can allow you to be seen fairly. Implementing them will give direction to your search and queues to follow up on.
