Fresh graduates face tougher job market amid rising competition and complex hiring processes
A growing number of recent university graduates in Singapore are struggling to secure full-time jobs, citing stiff competition, unclear employer expectations, and drawn-out hiring procedures. A CNA poll conducted in August found that more than one in four respondents from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts remain unemployed, reflecting a decline in fresh graduate employment rates.
- CNA’s straw poll of 105 recent graduates found that 26.7% had yet to secure full-time jobs, with 25% of them doubting they would find one within six months.
- Intense competition, multi-stage interviews, and vague job listings were cited as major obstacles.
- Government agencies are working with universities and industry partners to improve job matching and provide more support for new graduates.
SINGAPORE: Recent graduates from Singapore’s universities are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment, with many citing intense competition, unclear employer expectations, and lengthy hiring processes as major hurdles.
A CNA straw poll conducted between 7 and 10 August surveyed 105 respondents from the 2024 and 2025 graduating cohorts — all Singapore citizens or permanent residents aged 22 to 27 from eight local universities.
Of those polled, 28 graduates (26.7 per cent) had yet to secure a full-time job, and a quarter of this group said they were not confident of finding one within the next six months.
Across all respondents, 60 per cent described their job search as “somewhat difficult” or “very difficult”.
This aligns with findings from the latest Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey, released in February, which reported a decline in fresh graduate employment within six months of completing final exams — from 89.6 per cent in 2023 to 87.1 per cent in 2024.
The proportion of graduates in full-time roles also dropped from 84.1 per cent to 79.5 per cent.
Intense competition and complex processes
According to CNA’s findings, 67.6 per cent of respondents cited “intense competition from other applicants” as their top challenge.
Graduates said popular job postings on LinkedIn and other platforms often attracted hundreds of applicants within hours, with competition extending beyond fresh graduates to include mid-career professionals.
“It’s harder to even get the first-round interview, or to make it past interview stages,” one graduate said.
Another added that applicants must apply almost immediately after a job is posted, or risk being overlooked as employers begin shortlisting early.
Many described the hiring process as exhausting, involving multiple rounds such as phone screenings, game-based assessments, AI interviews, and case studies before reaching an in-person meeting.
More than half (56.2 per cent) said they would feel more confident if they had a clearer understanding of employer expectations, while 55.2 per cent called for more paid internships or traineeships, and 54.3 per cent wanted more interview opportunities.
Some also cited vague job descriptions and a lack of feedback as major frustrations.
CNA’s poll further found that 40 per cent of respondents saw a lack of networking opportunities or industry contacts as a barrier.
Tan See Leng’s call for grads to ‘keep an open mind’
Authorities have acknowledged the challenges faced by recent graduates and said measures are being implemented to support their job search.
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang said on 9 July that the government is “closely monitoring” the employment situation for fresh graduates.
Institutes of higher learning are collaborating with Workforce Singapore and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute to organise career fairs, workshops, and mentoring programmes.
The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, is also studying measures to cushion the economic impact of US-imposed tariffs and enhance youth employment resilience.
Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng added on 10 July that entry-level job vacancies remain steady, despite the competitive environment.
“To our 2025 graduates, it is still early in your job search. We encourage everyone to keep an open mind to different opportunities,” he said.
