FastJobs Singapore | Fresh Graduates Should Explore Skill-Based Jobs in a Competitive Job Market

Julian Tan, Founder & CEO of FastCo: Fresh Graduates Should Explore Skill-Based Jobs in a Competitive Job Market

Fresh graduates entering the workforce in 2025 are navigating one of the toughest job markets in recent years. Global economic uncertainties and restructuring in white-collar sectors have made employers more cautious in hiring. Singapore’s overall unemployment rate inched up from 1.9% at the close of 2024 to 2.1% in the first quarter of 2025. The job market remains competitive, with many vying for limited PMET (professional, managerial, executive, technical) positions. Yet, as Manpower Minister Tan See Leng recently advised, graduates should “stay calm” as early data points to an improvement in employment rates.

Julian Tan, Founder & CEO of FastCo (the company behind FastJobs and FastGig), echoes this optimism—but adds a pragmatic twist: “Instead of waiting endlessly for the ‘perfect’ job, graduates should consider taking on skill-based roles. These opportunities not only provide income but also help broaden horizons, build real-world experience, and strengthen confidence.”

The Reality of Today’s Graduate Job Market

Employment rates for fresh graduates are ticking upward but still leave many searching longer than expected.
Multiple internships and temporary roles are increasingly common as students try to boost their résumés.
Healthcare, Hospitality, F&B, retail, logistics, and operations continue to create steady openings for graduates, offering valuable experience.

In this climate, adaptability is not just a buzzword - it’s a graduate’s greatest asset.

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Debunking Myths About Non-PMET / Skill-Based Jobs

Many graduates hesitate to explore non-PMET jobs due to long-standing misconceptions. Here’s why these myths don’t hold up:

Myth 1: “These jobs don’t use my degree.”‍

Reality: Every job develops transferable skills. Customer-facing work strengthens communication and empathy, while operations roles sharpen problem-solving and time management. These competencies often weigh more in interviews than paper qualifications.

Myth 2: “They’re dead-end roles with no career growth.”‍

Reality: Many industry leaders started in frontline roles. For example, numerous F&B directors, retail operations heads and logistics managers began their careers as ground staff. Skill-based roles often have structured supervisory and managerial tracks.

Myth 3: “Employers won’t take me seriously if I take these jobs.”‍

Reality: Employers value grit, adaptability, initiative and experience. Having diverse working experience in a mix of skill-based roles shows that you are proactive, resilient, and willing to learn— these qualities often help you stand out from the crowd.

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Rethinking Your Job Search Strategy

Non-PMET Roles Can Be Strategic Stepping Stones. fresh graduates can pivot effectively with these strategic steps:

1. Reframe Your Mindset

Embrace the idea that every role—even seemingly unrelated ones—has value. Real world challenges teach lessons that theory cannot - resilience, teamwork and adaptability

2. Expand Your Search Scope

Explore roles in tech support, operations, or sales in your job hunt. These sectors offer volume and variety and a “test bed” for different industries. This may turn into stepping stones to your ideal role.

3. Prioritise Learning Opportunities

Seek jobs that offer mentorship, upskilling, or cross-functional exposure. Even if the pay is modest, the skills and network gained may prove invaluable later. On FastJobs alone, there are over 1500 management trainee positions. This is a low-barrier way to experiment with industries and build transferable skills.

4. Network and Be Curious

Even contract, temporary or gig jobs connect you with colleagues, managers, and mentors.
Beyond talking to alumni, join industry forums, attend career fairs, and connect with professionals across different fields. A placement in a skilled-based role can broaden your perspective and potential pathway.

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Mental Health & Confidence: Why Doing Something Is Better Than Waiting

Job hunting is not just about résumés—it’s also about mental well-being. Prolonged unemployment often leads to stress, self-doubt, and a sense of falling behind peers.

Taking a skill-based role can help:

Provide income and financial independence.
Build routine and a sense of purpose, boosting confidence.
Keep résumés active, showing employers you are motivated and engaged.
Create small “wins” that encourage momentum during a longer job hunt.

Ultimately, it’s easier to transition from employment to a better job than from unemployment to your dream job.

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How to Frame Skill-Based Roles Positively in Your Resume

Every role you take on contributes to your professional story. Skill based jobs may not match your degree directly, but they can highlight your strengths, showcase your initiative, and prove your resilience. With the right framing, these experiences become powerful examples of your ability to adapt and add value—qualities every employer is looking for. Here’s how you can position them effectively:

Highlight achievements: Instead of writing “worked in retail,” phrase it as “managed daily sales operations, achieving 15% growth in revenue.”
Show transferable skills: Communication, leadership, and adaptability gained in frontline roles are highly relevant to PMET roles.
Position it as resilience: Emphasise initiative - Employers respect candidates who choose to work and learn instead of waiting passively

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Final Thoughts: A Calm, Open, and Strategic Mindset

The path from graduation to a dream career is rarely a straight line. By keeping an open mind, debunking myths about skill-based roles, and understanding that action is better than waiting, graduates can build resilience and set themselves up for long-term success.