More than half of those polled by CNA (56.2 per cent) said that understanding employer expectations would improve their confidence in job applications. Others said they would benefit from paid internships or traineeships (55.2 per cent) and more interview opportunities (54.3 per cent).<\/p>\n
For Mr Wee Lian Kit, who majored in economics at NUS, vague job listings made it difficult to gauge his suitability for roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou send a lot of applications that you think you are qualified for, but at the end, you might not even make it past the screening stage,\u201d said the 27-year-old, who now works in an executive search firm. He recalls applying to over 100 roles when he graduated last year. \u00a0<\/p>\n
NTU graduate Mr Ong agreed, saying more clarity from employers would help applicants understand rejections. \u201cAt least when I get rejected, I will understand why I got rejected,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group CEO of recruitment firm Reeracoen, Mr Kenji Naito, said employers could help bridge the gap by sharing clearer job scopes and valuing potential and cultural fit, not just qualifications.<\/p>\n
He added that amid global shifts and growing use of artificial intelligence, soft skills such as empathy and adaptability are increasingly valuable. Graduates can also take short courses, volunteer for leadership roles or seek mentorship to strengthen their profile.<\/p>\n
Mr Derrick Teo, a certified Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) senior professional, said AI tools are reshaping job functions and graduates need to learn how to use such tools effectively.<\/p>\n
Mr Teo, who is also the CEO of HR solutions provider Elitez Group, also noted that job competition now extends across borders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRather than fixating on salary benchmarks \u2013 which can be influenced by recruitment marketing \u2013 graduates should focus on differentiating their skills, adaptability and commercial awareness,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BE PROACTIVE\u00a0<\/p>\n
The government has said it is working to improve employment outcomes for fresh graduates.<\/p>\n
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang said on Jul 9 that authorities are \u201cclosely monitoring\u201d the employment situation<\/a>. Institutes of higher learning are also working with agencies such as Workforce Singapore and the NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute to organise career fairs, workshops and mentoring sessions.\u00a0<\/p>\n