Here's a quick snapshot of the current hiring market in Singapore, with key data points sourced from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). 

Key Indicators

Employment growth

• According to the MOM’s Labour Market Q2 2025, total employment grew by 10,400 in Q2 2025. Resident employment growth was led by financial and insurance services, and health and social sciences.
• Compared to Q1 2025, total employment increased by 2,200, but the total number is below the year-over-year growth of 11,300 in Q2 2024.
• What this means: While hiring has slowed slightly compared to last year's peak, there are still more overall jobs being created than lost in the current job market, especially in certain growth sectors.

Unemployment rate

• Unemployment rates in Singapore declined slightly in August 2025, with a seasonally adjusted overall rate of 1.9%. 
• The resident rate was 2.7% and the citizen rate was 3.0%. This means approximately 67,900 residents were unemployed.
• 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.

Number of job vacancies

• The number of job vacancies fell from 81,100 in March 2025 to 76,900 in June 2025.
• At the same time, the vacancies-to-unemployed ratio held at 1.35.
• 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

• Hiring and wage expectations have lowered for Q3 2025 due to global uncertainties.
• The share of firms expecting to hire dropped slightly from 44.0% to 43.7%, while those expecting to raise wages fell from 24.4% to 22.4%.
• What this means: The market is still growing, but at a slower pace. Employers are becoming more cautious and selective in their hiring.

Graduate employment is up

• As at June 2025, the employment rate for fresh resident graduates reached 51.9%, an increase from the previous graduating cohort which saw a rate of 47.9%.
• What this means: The job market for fresh graduates is improving year-on-year, with more successfully securing their first roles.

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.

• Growing strong: According to MOM’s Labour Market Q2 2025, recruitment rates increased in sectors like professional services, information and communications, as well as financial services. The health and social services sector in particular also have the biggest number of vacancies.


• Slower hiring but still a source of skill-based roles: Outward-oriented industries like professional services as well as information and communications technology have been hiring less, but they are still the main industries for skill-based roles in data, cloud computing and cybersecurity.


• 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 June 2025. The most in-demand current job prospects right now are in the following roles: 
  
  
  • Public admin & education
  • Research and development manager (510 openings)
  • Research officer (350 openings)
  • Health and social services
  • Registered nurse (290 openings)
  • Social worker (220 openings)
  • Information and communications
  • Software developer (240 openings)
  • IT support technician (160 openings)

So, what does the current job market hold for you as a fresh graduate? The latest data from 2024 offers a realistic picture looking for your first job. A Channel NewsAsia article has broken down the key statistics from the 2024 Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey, which was conducted approximately six months after graduation.

• Overall fresh graduate employment rate: 87.1% of fresh graduates were employed within six months of their final exams. While this is a slight dip from 89.6% in the previous year, it still means the vast majority of graduates find work.


• Full-time permanent roles: 79.5% of those employed secured full-time permanent roles, down from 84.1% in 2023. This suggests that some graduates are starting in part-time or temporary roles first.


• 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 looking past academic qualifications. 78.8% of job vacancies in 2024 did not treat a degree as the main hiring criteria. Instead, 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

When you imagine your career, you might have a picture in your mind of a straight path: landing a full-time job right after graduation, getting promoted every few years, and climbing a neat, linear ladder. The reality is that the current job market in Singapore and around the world is a lot more dynamic. 

Today’s most successful professionals have careers that look like a jungle gym full of lateral moves and skill-building roundabouts. So be strategic when it comes to searching for a job. You don’t need to have a five-year career plan, but it helps plan to identify alternative routes towards your greater career goal. Along the way, you can hone your skillsets and build a network of professional contacts to improve your career health.

When you see your peers or others sharing big career wins on social media, it's easy to feel like you're falling behind. But you’re not. You are simply "becoming" in your own way. Remember that what you see online is only part of the story, and the most successful careers are often built through unexpected paths and detours.

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.