Frustrated applicant cites age bias and gender preference in marketing roles as key barriers.
SINGAPORE: A young Singaporean in his late twenties has shared his frustrations about the challenges of securing a job despite sending out close to 300 applications over two months.
Posting on the online forum r/askSingapore on Monday (July 15), he questioned whether he was facing an uphill battle in his job search.
The jobseeker, who holds a marketing degree from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, explained that he had delayed attending university for two years to pursue business ventures. Now at 29, he is eager to advance his career but is finding it difficult to land a job.
While he has significant experience, including internships at multinational companies and expertise in content creation, graphic design, and social media marketing, he claimed that 90 percent of companies don’t even review his résumé.
Gender and Age Bias in Hiring
He noted with dismay that during interviews, some employers indicated a preference for women in marketing roles and mentioned his age as a deterrent. These comments left him frustrated, with many suggesting he pursue selling insurance instead.
“It feels like the only companies that even call me down for interviews are insurance companies disguised as other companies,” he wrote.
Comparing his situation to younger marketing graduates who have successfully secured roles at multinational corporations and government agencies, he expressed feeling stuck and disheartened.
Support from the Online Community
His post garnered numerous comments from Reddit users who offered advice and shared similar experiences.
Some commenters acknowledged the challenging job market and recommended strategies such as tailoring résumés to specific job postings, developing a backup plan, and being prepared to make sacrifices.
Others shared words of encouragement. One user noted, “It can feel like an uphill battle and is frustrating, but you have to keep moving. Keep applying while working. Good luck.”
Another added, “Hang in there. I’m in the same boat and of the same age as you, so I understand the stress. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and maintain a healthy headspace while you continue your job hunt.”
Some users even offered to help him improve his résumé to enhance his chances of landing interviews.
Despite his struggles, the jobseeker remains hopeful, continuing to apply for roles and seek opportunities to move forward in his career.
