Latest news with #youngprofessionals
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Plans for 26sq m Perth micro apartments get green light
Plans have been approved for micro apartments in Perth, offering living spaces the size of two carpark spaces. The $22m project in Perth's inner suburbs includes apartments that are mostly 26sq m. 'Perth being turned into slum ghettos like London, where does this madness stop?' one online commenter opined. The apartments are among the smallest in Australia, measuring a square metre or two under the standard 'micro apartment' benchmark. The new 26sq m Perth apartments dwarf the 17sq m Bondi abode that sold for $511,000 in 2023. The newly approved Perth apartments are earmarked for an area about 1km north of the central business district, and just one block from Perth's major outdoor concert venue and rectangular sporting stadium. The building is set to house 88 self-contained flats – 64 of which are deemed micro – and the rest are 41sq m lofts. The building would also have four rooms specifically for guests of residents. All apartments will be fully furnished with a balcony, bed, kitchenette, bathroom, lounge and dining space. There is a proposed communal roof terrace, office space, gym and laundry. The WA Planning Commission used its discretion to overrule density rules for the area. The apartments are not for individual sale but would be leased by a dedicated property manager, with leases running between three months and three years. The developers say FIFO workers, students and young professionals without cars are their target market – for a building of 88 apartments, there are 25 car spaces. In its decision, released on Wednesday, the commission says objectors to the proposal took umbrage with the proposed building's height and the potential for sun to be blocked. 'Submissions in support were due to the underdeveloped nature of the area, design quality of the building and locational context of the site within close proximity to Perth CBD,' the commission report said. There are many established micro apartment complexes across Australia, and this latest project is not the first in Perth. But Perth is in the grips of a massive spike in property prices, on the same galactic trajectory as Adelaide and Brisbane. In 2024, the price of one-bedroom apartments in Perth rose 31 per cent – the largest national price rise in the category by a stretch.
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
‘Why should I pay for a car I won't use?' — Singaporean upset after parents ask him to pay for family car's COE
SINGAPORE: A young Singaporean who only recently started working took to Reddit to ask if it was unreasonable for him to refuse to contribute to his retired parents' car expenses. Posting anonymously on the r/SingaporeRaw forum, the user shared his confusion and frustration after his parents asked him and his sister to evenly split the cost of the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) for the family car. 'I think it's crazy to be spending more than half of my assets for something I don't even want, and I thought the question itself is kinda outrageous,' he wrote. 'The thing is, both my sis and I don't have driving licenses yet, plus I believe that a car is a luxury item in Singapore, not a necessity, so I don't even want to buy a car for myself in the future in the first place, much less pay for a family car.' When he tried to express his concerns, his parents pushed back. 'When I told them this, they mentioned that they paid for the previous and current car, and how much they 'need' it.' However, the user felt this was more of a lifestyle choice than a true need. 'I think it's a privileged mentality because I don't recall the last time they took the MRT or bus. And also if they really need it, I thought, just rent a car – it's so much cheaper and we won't have to pay for insurance, maintenance, etc, or just use Grab.' The user ended his post by asking others in the community, 'Do any of your parents also ask you to split for the family car, especially when you just start working? And do your parents even ask you such a thing?' 'They're basically handicapping your future…' Many Redditors who responded echoed his disbelief. Several commenters said they, too, would find such a request unfair. One said, 'This is ridiculous. Your parents want to purchase a car for their own usage and they are asking you and your sister to pay even when ya'll don't have a driver's license yet. This means you lose out even more. They probably got too used to having a car to transport themselves around, and now, when they can't afford it after retirement, they're getting y'all to share the costs.' Another commented, 'No. That's selfish of them. They're basically handicapping your future just so they can continue enjoying having their own vehicle.' A third added, 'Typical sinkie parents who believe that the children are an extension of their resources. They see children as a safety net for their incompetence.' Still, some Redditors in the thread felt the user should try to understand his parents more. One Redditor shared a similar experience from a few years back, writing, 'My parents asked that my three siblings pay for the COE for the old car as well. All of us had already moved out. Each of us forked out S$15k for the S$45k COE then. This was about seven years ago.' Although the Redditor admitted they weren't entirely pleased with the arrangement, they chose to pay without protest. 'I wasn't thrilled about it, but I paid. I just thought of it as a one-time payment for my uni fees since my parents paid for it.' 'At the end of the day, just think back to the money your parents had spent on you. If it's comparable (to your end of the cost of the car) and if you can afford it, pay up to maintain family bliss. Else, move out and make a clean break.' In other news, a woman was surprised when a man she went on a first date with asked her to send him money via PayNow for dinner, several days after they met. She shared her experience on the r/askSingapore forum on Saturday (May 31), explaining that she had agreed to meet the man, who is in his 30s, after they had developed a good connection through their conversations on a dating app. Read more: Woman says she's 'bewildered' after man asks her to 'PayNow him' for their first date dinner Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
One thing at a time: Why Gen Z wants to stop multitasking
It was between 15 and 20 years ago that I first got comfortable on a computer. As a kid, I swung more Millennial with access to my parents' Macintosh personal computer and a pearl white iBook, but as a teenager I had my own phone, and later iPad, and then computer. In between, I had computer classes (Information and Communications Technology at school in Al Ain) where I learned... well, everything we learned. How to use a glossary and index, how to organise folders digitally and navigate databases online and in-person, how to use the office suite, how to verify what I was seeing or reading online was real, and how to maintain the functionality of my devices. These are forgotten skills in 2025. We forget that 15-20 years ago the ability to do the most basic sums in a spreadsheet was worth putting on your CV. Critical thinking and the garnering of soft skills are far more important in this day and age. I can teach you how to use a screwdriver — righty tighty, lefty loosey — but it needs to be obvious which end goes where. There are a few things in my head as I write this column. Young people aren't paid enough to multitask, and we have no evidence that hard work, determination, or devotion to the craft will get us anywhere other than convincing our boss the job can be done by someone less qualified for less money, who they can mistreat more. We reach out seeking mentorship, guidance, or advice on everything from career to professional development, and we hear the same things. This relates to multitasking because we know in 2025 what the enlightened and self-actualised around the world already knew — the result is important but so is the work. One thing at a time Multitasking is splitting focus. It's piling more on before you finish something or starting too many things at once because of a current energy level, feeling, or myth about your capacity. In journalism, you see this every day. The tail wags the dog with KPIs of traffic, reach, and reaction. There's lots to follow a lot of the time, and plenty of plates to keep spinning, and obligations one must keep in mind, but in the moment, what must take precedence is the rhythm of the task and the rhythm of the person doing the task. In simpler terms, you are more likely to burn yourself out trying to do 10 things half as well as you can than doing one thing with all your focus and doing it well in half the time. Take this column. I could ideate 10 things at once, do a little research here and there over a two-week period, and send my editor 10 columns that require a lot more work on her end. Or, I could do as I have done; have a backlog of ideas and topics, then devote a single block of time to a single column, and produce a few some weeks, and none some weeks. Not only am I one and done with the column faster, which can then be sent to my editor immediately, but then my mind is free to move on. Ending our multitasking goes deeper than not listening to a podcast while you walk your dog; it's about respecting your own time. Folks love to say, 'this is the way things are done' and then share their many complaints with having to work inside such a system. But when a mundane laptop can do what an entire office suite used to do 15-20 years ago, the attitude must be of facing tasks one at a time and knowing when your batteries are empty.
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)
CBC
25-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
What questions do you have about the future of Canada Post?
You've got smart questions, we've got solid answers. Click here to listen to the CBC's Just Asking every Saturday at 4 p.m. when you need to make sense of the world around you. Let your friend Saroja Coelho be your guide. With guest experts, Just Asking turns the week's news and latest trends into tips that help you make better decisions in your life. Whether it's tech, money, career or health — we'll hear you out, and help you out. The show takes live calls on CBC Radio every Saturday afternoon, and drops the podcast that same evening. Here's what's happening this Saturday: What questions do you have about the future of Canada Post? The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has called for a halt on overtime work, while negotiations continue with Canada Post. At the heart of the issue is competing visions for how the corporation will operate moving forward. A report this week described the company as "effectively bankrupt." Workers are pushing for higher wages to cope with inflation and challenging the idea of a part-time workforce to extend their services to seven days a week. Marvin Ryder is an Associate Professor, DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. Barry Eidlin is an associate professor of sociology at McGill University and an expert on labour policy. They'll take your questions! What questions do you have about the job market for young people? As graduation season approaches, young people are entering into a tough job market. In April, the unemployment rate for those aged between 15 to 24 years old was 14.1 per cent - the highest rate seen in over a decade. According to employment search engine Indeed, summer job postings are also down significantly from last year. So what should young people and their parents keep in mind as they enter into the workforce? Shenelle Payne Cuffy is a career counsellor focusing on young clients and Katherine Scott is a Senior Researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives who's been studying the youth job market. They'll take your questions!
