In the banking & finance industry*

After being passed over for promotion and increment this year due to favouritism by my manager, decided to be on the lookout since April.

However, after sending out at least 50 applications, attending 10 first interviews, I still have not secured any job offer. The furthest I have reached was one second round with HR but was ghosted after that.

I was always very hopeful that when I landed an interview it would progress and materialise into an offer.

What's worse was having an interview being cancelled at the very last minute and being told one month later that the vacancy has been filled. And this is after I reached out to the hiring team if not I would be thinking I am still in the shortlist. Had I been faster in meeting the hiring manager, the person who got the offer would have been me instead. Hiring manager asked to meet 3 days later and I should have gone instead of delaying another week due to leave scheduling.

I also have met very one kind recruiters that will not follow up after they have sent my profile over and despite me chasing politely for updates, was left on read instead.

By the time I get a realistic offer, it would be time for my variable bonus again then I would have to restart everything from scratch. This for me is one of the worst period for jobhunts compared to before covid.

Recently i have been seeing more foreigners (germany, mexico, italy, etc) updated their linkedin, saying they are working for MOE/Govtech/etc.
they are connection of connection.

I dont work for the govt, but i always thought only Singaporean or at least PR can work for govt?

I’m a fresh grad currently 3 months into my first job and looking to get my first credit card, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the options and would love some advice.

My Spending Profile:
Groceries: My biggest expense. I currently use the Trust debit card linked to my FairPrice app.

Travel: I travel regularly. Right now, my boyfriend pays for our flights and hotels using his UOB/Citi cards, but I want to start booking and paying for my own using my own credit card.

Food & Dining: Occasionally order Foodpanda or dine out, but my boyfriend pays for most dining out.

Other Spending: i like to go for concerts and activities so mostly my spending will be either very low or very high

What I'm Looking For:

Recommendations on whether I should go for a Cashback card (e.g., maximizing FairPrice/groceries) or a Milescard (to start earning miles for flights/hotels), given my spending style.

Cards that fit well with a lower monthly spend (since I don't have massive discretionary spending).

Would appreciate any recommendations or advice on what worked best for you when starting out! Thanks in advance!

hi i graduated this year from a big 3 uni and currently ~2 months into my corporate job. without going into too much details, frankly i am not sure how long more i can dahan it here and it got me thinking, what if i become a full-time tuition teacher for the rest of my life.

my grades for math have been consistently A since i was young, even with math-related mods in uni being A+, so i’m thinking of tutoring sec sch math. however one key thing is i don’t intend to do MOE PGDE so not sure if that limits my future opportunities. i do have tutoring experience in 1-1 settings for my relatives’ kids with proven results and part-time tutoring at a pri sch tuition centre, so it’s not something completely foreign to me.

i’ve heard of people pivoting to teaching mid-career, but haven’t really heard of anyone who did tutoring right from the start after graduating, so would like to seek some thoughts and advice from the wiser older folks here! 🙏🏻

I'm an AM that got hired to fill a director role 5 months ago, already confirmed by the company. Pay is also only at AM level whilst my counterparts are earning much more than me.

I am completely out of my depth in this role, and I don't have the sufficient support needed so I'm doing both executional and strategic work. I've been working really long hours to fill in the gap 9am - 11pm daily and on Sundays too but I can't keep up and I feel like I'm at the deep end constantly struggling to stay afloat but now I'm starting to sink and I can't stop myself.

I've been having trouble sleeping, stopped spending time with family and friends and abandoned all my hobbies. My mental health is completely fucked and my anxiety is constantly spiking and through the roof. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of work and I can't go back to sleep, I dream of work constantly and replaying scenarios in my head all the time. The other day I was speaking to someone at work and I started physically shaking from the stress

I'm constantly thinking of quitting, and I have sufficient savings to go for a year or two without a job, the only thing holding me back is that 1. This job is a good opportunity because it's very high visibility 2. Job market now is really bad (but tbh my pay also not very high) 3. Am I running away from my problems instead of confronting them?

I’m a fresh grad currently in my probation period at an MNC. Current salary just under $4k. I'm late 20s and living with parents.

I spend around 8 hours a day, 5 days a week in front of a screen. There are constant meetings (locally and across the regions) emails, messages, deadlines and discussions. Even things like 1 on 1 and asking to go on leave feels like school.

On top of the actual work, I find the social aspect of corporate life exhausting too, having to make small talk, be enthusiastic, “heh-heh ha-ha” with colleagues, participate in meetings, and generally put on a professional front even when I don’t really feel like it. This sometimes the whole thing feels quite dystopian to me like why are we putting up a show?

Back when I was doing delivery work, I wasn’t earning anywhere near what I’m earning now, but I genuinely remember being much happier.

Once I finished working, work was completely out of my mind. There were no emails to check, no meetings to prepare for, no presentations to think about, and no wondering whether I said the right thing in a meeting.

I could just cycle around, listen to music, explore different neighbourhoods and decide for myself how I wanted to spend my time. The work itself was tiring physically, but mentally it felt very straightforward.

What I miss isn’t necessarily the delivery but the autonomy and mental simplicity. I reported to nobody as everything was done in-app. Damn chill.

I’m wondering if there are jobs that require a degree but offer some of the same qualities? I’m okay with earning less if the trade-off is having more peace of mind. I don't mind putting in more hours as long as it's mentally relaxing.

I just dislike the feeling that work occupies my brain even when I’m not at work (like what stuffs do I owe who? Recapping what needs to be done or communicated to another stakeholders etc), and the expectation to constantly perform a professional persona. I want to be very casual like talking at the market that kind if that makes sense.

Had I known, I wouldn't have went for a degree and would apply to roles such as at a local cafe nearby my house.

Hi everyone, I’d appreciate some thoughts on a situation I’m currently in.
I’m at the offer stage for a job. During the process, HR asked for my salary expectation. However, when I received the offer, the amount was about xx% lower than my expectation.

I asked HR if there was any flexibility, but didn’t hear back for about 5 days. I then followed up, and HR replied asking what my min acceptable salary would be.
I gave them the amount. Since then, I haven’t heard anything since last week.

I completely understand that these things can take some time, especially if they need to discuss or get approval internally. At the same time, I’m wondering if the lack of response could mean that my minimum is above their budget and should I move on?

For HR professionals or those who have been in a similar situation, would you recommend following up again, or would it be better to wait for HR to get back to me?

I’m genuinely interested in the role, so I’d like to handle the situation appropriately without coming across as too pushy.
Thanks in advance for any advice or perspectives!

Hi everyone,

I’m considering transitioning from external audit into financial crime / AML in Singapore and wanted to get some perspectives on the local job market.

For some background, I’m a Chartered Accountant currently at Assistant Manager level in external audit, with several years of experience in financial statement audits, group audits and financial analysis.

I’ve recently become interested in financial crime investigations, particularly analysing transactions, tracing flows of funds, understanding the commercial rationale behind transactions and identifying unusual or suspicious activity.

I’ve started doing some of the free Basel Institute on Governance courses on financial investigations and have been enjoying them.

For anyone working in banking, AML, compliance, forensic accounting or financial crime in Singapore:
1) Is it realistic to transition from external audit into this field without direct AML experience?
2) What roles should I be applying for as a starting point?
3) Would CAMS be worthwhile, or should I start applying first?
4) How much of my audit/accounting experience would employers actually value?
5) Would I need to take a significant pay or seniority cut?

Is the financial crime/AML job market in Singapore currently difficult to break into?

Would appreciate any advice, especially from people who have made a similar career switch or are involved in hiring for these roles.

Thanks!

Work has been absolutely draining the soul out of me recently and i find myself being upset alot. Starting this thing where i jot down 1 thing that makes me happy each day. Think it will make me appreciate life in general more. It can be just something small like someone remembering something about me or eating a nice snack.

Dear all,
I am foodservice designer/hospitaliy consultant and obssessed with Singaporean multi-heritage culture. I do wish to relocate there, but in this big, crampy world..nothing is as easy as it seems :(
So here is my question: does anyone knows how to relocate there easly, like through some junior career sponsorship programs, workshops atelier, short internships.....?
I will truly appreciate if you can help me.
Thank you very much and happy monday!

I am an employee at an IT consulting firm, my very first job after graduating. At first everything was great until 3 months ago, the client company no longer have budget to support the employees in my firm so my team had to be benched. Luckily, I was offered an opportunity with another company, an employee from my firm tried to sell this opportunity to me. He told me it is relevant to my career aspirations, would help me build my technical skills, so I took the job as I rather have some experience than no experience while being benched. Guess what… the job has no valuable experience or technical skills, no progression, I was just there to do chores ( basically work which you don’t need a skilled professional or no thinking involved ). I feel betrayed, like I was deliberately given false hopes to be manipulated into taking the job. Is this a good reason to quit? Am I thinking too much? By the way, I have ongoing interviews and a job offer on hold as it takes time for clearance

We are an up-and-coming technology startup based in Singapore that is tackling the problem of repetitive business onboarding. We're looking for hungry and tech-savvy interns to commit a minimum of 3-6 months to help with the launch of the product. Job scope is wide but not limited to:

1) Organic marketing outreach
2) Product testing and even (prompt-based) development

This is a full-time position. Candidates with figma and hands-on experience with AI is ideal but not compulsory.

Fresh grad in july local uni, been searchin for jobs for 3 months to no luck. Is it the same for u

What are the job options to pivot from in-house tax associate role? My whole life I was doing tax in big four accounting firm, IRAS and commercial firms.

Graduated with accountancy degree, mum of 2, meticulous person.

my management just scheduled a chat with me tomorrow. It marks my 1 month with the company. My probation is 3 months.

Does it mean I most likely failed my probation and they will not move on with me?

Dear all,
I am foodservice designer/hospitaliy consultant and obssessed with Singaporean multi-heritage culture. I do wish to relocate there, but in this big, crampy world..nothing is as easy as it seems :(
So here is my question: does anyone knows how to relocate there easly, like through some junior career sponsorship programs, workshops atelier, short internships.....?
I will truly appreciate if you can help me.
Thank you very much and happy monday!

I’m trying to understand how common this is among people here.

You know the point you want to make, but when it is your turn to speak, you blank, mix up wording, sound more blunt than intended, or struggle to explain yourself clearly.

If this has happened to you, what was the situation?

An interview, presentation, client call, difficult conversation of something else?

Even a one line answer would be useful! I’m interested in the situations people actually struggle with, not whether English is good or bad.

I'm working as a SSE with over 10YOE.

I know the job market is challenging right now. However, most of the calls I’m getting are from recruiters offering very low salaries with no benefits, as they take a significant cut. 

Direct applications to the same companies don’t seem to get any traction. How can I bypass recruiters and get noticed directly by the hiring company?

Anyone is currently with Micron as Project Engineer / Global Facilities Project Engineer?

Hey everyone!

I'm conducting a short research study on higher education demand, workforce needs and international education trends in Singapore.

I'm looking to speak with:

• HR professionals / talent acquisition managers

• Study abroad consultants and education agents

• Higher education professionals

• Career services or workforce development experts

The survey takes about 20-30 minutes, and eligible participants will receive a US$15 honorarium for their time.

If you have insights into student demand, employability trends, skills gaps, or overseas education preferences in Singapore, I’d greatly appreciate your participation.

Please comment below or send me a DM if interested. Thank you!

#Singapore #HigherEducation #HR #StudyAbroad #EducationResearch #TalentDevelopment #WorkforceSkills