The Straits Times Podcasts S1E60: ‘It makes me want to spam-apply’: Fresh grads tell Tan See Leng about tough job market
Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.
Headlines about the job prospects of fresh graduates haven’t been reassuring lately.
And reports over the last year indicate that more graduates are struggling to land full-time roles, with more taking on freelance, part-time or temporary work.
Some young people document their job hunting processes on social media, lamenting that they send out as many as 100 resumes over a few months and go for multiple interviews, but nothing lands.
On Aug 22, the Government announced a new traineeship scheme to help new graduates gain industry-relevant experience and skills that will help them transition into full-time employment.
Under the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) and GRIT@Gov programmes, up to 800 positions for a period of three to six months across various private and public sectors will be available.
Graduates from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics and universities can start applying from October. Trainees will receive a monthly allowance ranging from $1,800 to $2,400 for the duration of their stint.
How will this programme make a difference for graduates worried about their career prospects? And what does the current landscape mean for young people trying to get their first full-time job?
In this episode of The Usual Place, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng addressed feedback about Grit and shared his thoughts about how graduates can navigate an uncertain and challenging job market.
Also on the podcast were two university graduates:
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Dave Peter Ho, a business administration graduate who turned to selling products by livestreaming on TikTok after a futile nine-month job search. He graduated in Dec 2024.
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Muhammad Syakir Moharum, who graduated in 2025 with a degree in public policy and global affairs and is about to start looking for a job
Highlights (click/tap above):
7:38 GRIT scheme is about addressing anxieties ahead of a slowdown: Dr Tan
16:30 Keep open mind, be flexible: Dr Tan’s tips for fresh grads on what an ideal career is
20:35 Getting rejected frequently pushed Dave to apply for random jobs in a rage
27:59 How Syakir feels about putting himself out in a gloomy job market; Dave on becoming a TikTok livestreamer
47:03 Will the lower salary offered in the GRIT programme cause companies to low-ball new staff?
53:23 Advice & tips to peers: Syakir & Dave
Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)
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Filmed by: Studio+65
Edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong, Danson Cheong & Elizabeth Khor
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