Here's a quick snapshot of the current hiring market in Singapore, with key data points sourced from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), click here to see the latest available reports.  

Key Indicators

Employment growth

• According to the MOM’s Labour Market Advance Release for Q1 2026, total employment grew by 5,000 (the 18th consecutive quarter of growth since Q4 2021).
• This is higher than the 2,300 added in Q1 2025, and while employment growth moderated from the previous quarter, it is stronger than a year ago.
• What this means: The slower pace this quarter reflects seasonal effects and a step-down from a high base, not a broad weakening of the labour market. Construction activity, for example, typically eases during the Chinese New Year period. Once adjusted for seasonality, employment growth still came in higher than a year ago, even if it has cooled from the previous quarter. 

Unemployment rate

• Unemployment rates in Singapore from March 2026 remained broadly stable compared to 2025.
• The overall unemployment rate was 2.1%.
• What this means: Low and stable unemployment is a sign that people who are actively looking for work are successfully finding it. The MOM states that the current range is non-recessionary (aka not signaling an economic recession or downturn). 

Number of job vacancies

• Based on MOM’s Labour Market Report Q4 2025, the number of job vacancies reached 77,700 in December 2025.
• At the same time, the vacancies-to-unemployed ratio was 1.58.
• What this means: The vacancies-to-unemployed ratio tells us that there are more jobs than jobseekers overall. There are opportunities for jobseekers and individuals with the right skills and mindset to step into.

State of the hiring climate

• Looking ahead to Q2 2026, MOM expects the labour market to remain tight and to continue expanding. However, businesses are turning more cautious in their hiring and wage plans amid global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
• MOM’s business expectation polls showed that the proportion of firms expecting to hire in the next three months declined from 54.6% in February 2026 to 44.6% in March 2026.
• What this means: Employers are becoming more cautious in their hiring due to global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. However, there are early signs of stabilisation and potential softening if external conditions weaken.

Longer first-job hunts, but no broad decline in employment

• In Parliament on 5 May 2026, Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng acknowledged that fresh graduates are taking longer to land their first full-time jobs. 74.4% of 2025 university graduates in the labour force secured a full-time job, down from 87.5% in 2022.
• Dr Tan noted that this softening needs to be viewed in context. The 2022 peak came right after Singapore emerged from COVID-19, when companies were rushing to hire to clear a backlog of demand.
• Looking at longer-term trends, employment rates for degree holders aged 25 to 29 have remained broadly stable at around 90% over the past decade.
• What this means: The first-job search may take longer than it did a few years ago, but the broader job market for young degree holders has not collapsed. Landing the right role is possible with persistence.    

Sectors and roles to watch

Even if the current job market is in a slow phase, certain sectors continue to grow and present strong opportunities. This is where your skills can make a real impact.

• Almost half of all vacancies from newly created positions: According to MOM's Job Vacancies 2025 Report, nearly half of all vacancies in 2025 (49.3%) were newly created positions, mostly tied to business expansion.
  
• Sectors with the highest vacancies for entry-level PMET jobs: MOM also released a list of entry-level PMET roles (with a salary range of $2,300 to $5,000) with the highest available openings based on job advertisements on MyCareersFuture as at December 2025. The most in-demand current job prospects right now are in the following roles:
  
  
  • Quantity surveyor (340 openings)
  • Building construction engineer (280 openings)
  • Software developer (240 openings)
  • Research officer (220 openings)
  • Registered nurse and other nursing professionals (200 openings)
  • Research and development manager (190 openings)
  • Social worker (180 openings)
  • Civil/structural engineering draughtsman (140 openings)
  • IT support technician (120 openings)
  • Systems designer/analyst (110 openings)

So, what does the current job market hold for you as a fresh graduate? The 2025 Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES), conducted in November 2025 and published in March 2026, offers a realistic picture of what looking for your first job looks like approximately six months after graduation. 

• Overall fresh graduate employment rate: 83.4% of fresh graduates were employed within six months of their final exams


• More graduates are starting in part-time, temporary, or contract roles: 74.4% of graduates in the labour force found full-time permanent roles, down from 79.4% in 2024. The share in part-time or temporary work rose from 6.0% to 7.2%, with a larger portion of these graduates (3.1%, up from 2.3%) describing the choice as involuntary. For more fresh graduates today, the first job is becoming a stepping-stone into a career rather than the destination itself. 


• Reasons for graduate unemployment: In another Channel NewsAsia article, it was revealed that for graduates who were jobless after graduation at 6 months, roughly half had already received job offers. Of those, about one-third had rejected the offers, holding out for a better fit, a higher salary, or a role in their preferred sector — suggesting that fresh graduate jobseekers are more discerning.
  

What to make of the data

The latest data on the Singapore job market and fresh graduate employment rate shows that while finding a perfect fit might take a little longer now, there are still opportunities available for first-time jobseekers if they adjust their job-hunting strategy.

• Use alternative job temp roles as a stepping stone: The slight dip in graduates securing full-time permanent roles suggests that more graduates are starting careers with "stepping-stone" positions.
  
  If you are worried about securing a full-time position, try seeing part-time roles, internships, and short attachments as a great way to get your foot in the door, gain valuable experience, and "test the waters" in a sector you're interested in without a long-term commitment

• Target sectors that are hiring: While some sectors are experiencing a slowdown, others are still in high demand. We are seeing on-going demand in sectors like financial services as well as health and social services.
  
  This is a signal for you to be open to considering jobs in these "hotter" sectors, even if they aren't directly aligned with your study specialty. Find out how your skills can be applied to different industries and use tools like CareersFinder in the the MyCareersFuture portal to find roles you may not have considered.

Why job-seeking might feel harder for fresh graduates

The transition from student to professional can feel like a sudden, demanding leap. It’s one thing to hear about the current job market, but it is another to be applying for roles, tweaking resumes, writing cover letters and trying to convince potential employers of your value from day one.

While the data shows a resilient market overall, there are a few key shifts that explain why the search for a job might feel a little harder right now.

• It’s a skills and experience market: The number of professional, managerial, executive, and technical (PMET) roles is on the rise, but employers are increasingly looking past academic qualifications. 79.6% of job vacancies in 2025 did not treat academic qualifications as the main hiring criteria while two-thirds of employers (66.9%) said they would consider candidates below the stated minimum qualifications. Companies are prioritising candidates who can demonstrate practical skills and relevant experience.


• More contract and traineeship pathways: About a third of employers are offering contract and traineeship pathways to be more flexible in their hiring strategy. This can make it feel like full-time jobs are scarce, but it is really a different kind of opportunity. Use these roles as a way to get your foot in the door and prove your value.


• Hiring processes are slower: In a more cautious economic climate, employers are taking more time to make hiring decisions. With multi-round assessments, AI interviews to case tasks and more, the hiring process can feel longer and more draining.


• More fresh graduates are immediately searching for their first job: Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng noted how there were more fresh graduates jumping into the workforce instead of taking a break or going for further studies. This large pool of new, active jobseekers reflects an "added pressure to look for a job first" increasing the competition for entry-level roles.

There’s no single “right" path to get a job

1. Build a 30-60-90 day job search plan

Think of your job search as your first job. Like an actual plan, you’ll have a larger goal you want to accomplish and a variety of day-to-day tasks to complete on your way there. Set goals for yourself such as a target for applications every week, reaching out to people in your desired industry on LinkedIn, or attending industry events.

2. Search smart, not hard

Instead of sending out hundreds of generic resumes, it’s better to be highly targeted in your job search. You can use these job portals to sort jobs by skills and find alternative paths to your career goal.

• MyCareersFuture (MCF): With over 100,000 jobs listed daily, MyCareersFuture can match your skills to available roles, helping you find opportunities you might not have considered otherwise. It is a great option as your primary, always-on channel for job hunting.


• CareersFinder: This feature on the MCF portal provides a personalised approach to your job search. It recommends specific jobs and training pathways to help you bridge any skill gaps, making your application more compelling.

3. Learn how to stand out with your resume and in interviews

Your resume and interview are your chance to make a lasting impression. Don't just list your responsibilities; quantify your impact with numbers and results. Tailor your resume to each job description, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences. For interviews, prepare using the CTAR method (Context, Task, Action, Result) to tell compelling stories about your past achievements. 

4. Don't rely too heavily on AI

While AI tools like ChatGPT can help you draft resumes and cover letters, over-reliance on them can actually hurt your job search. Every CV now looks the same because everyone is using AI to create "perfect" resumes that fail to differentiate candidates. Instead, develop your own thinking first before turning to AI for assistance. Take time to write down your thoughts, experiences and unique value proposition by hand or in your own words. This approach helps you maintain your authentic voice and critical thinking skills—both of which are becoming more valuable as AI becomes commonplace. 

Remember, AI can help you refine and expand your ideas but it shouldn't replace your original thinking. Your goal is to stand out as uniquely human in a sea of AI-generated applications.

Watch this insightful discussion between Workforce Singapore and industry experts on how AI is reshaping young people's work lives.

5. Network like it’s your job

Networking is all about building a list of professional contacts to open up opportunities in your career. You don’t have to be in a job to network! As a fresh graduate, you can connect with alumni from your school, attend industry events or career fairs, or even set up informational chats with professionals in fields that interest you.

Not sure when industry events or career fairs are happening? Explore Workforce Singapore’s Career Fairs and Workshops or MyCareersFuture’s Career Events pages to see an upcoming calendar of events.

6. Pivot your job search to build experience fast

The truth on how to get a job without experience is that it is tough. If you find yourself getting few job offers after 6 to 12 weeks of searching, it might be time to consider taking on short-term projects, traineeship or contract roles. These positions are fantastic for gaining market-relevant experience and demonstrating your skills in a real-world setting. Once you have some experience under your belt, you’ll be in a stronger position to apply for your dream full-time role down the line.

• Hard Truths for Young Workers Trying to Get Their First Job (Podcast)
• How Technology Will Help, Not Hinder, Young Singaporeans in the Job Market
• Looking to Be Noticed at Work? Here’s How to Make Your Efforts Count
• Analytical Minds Wanted: Take this Quiz to Find the Right Sector for You

Hear from others on how they overcome their own adulting challenges and entering the workforce.