Singapore’s talent paradox: Employers seek tech wizards, jobseekers prioritise practicality

“Candidates today increasingly value flexibility, clear career development, and a positive organisational culture.” – Saumitra Chand, Career Expert, Indeed.

Singapore’s job market presents a fascinating paradox: while employers aggressively pursue talent in cutting-edge fields like AI, jobseekers are increasingly drawn to service-oriented roles offering flexibility and immediate income.

This divergence in priorities, revealed in Indeed’s 2024 Rising Jobs list and insights from Saumitra Chand, Career Expert at Indeed, highlights a crucial challenge for HR professionals in the city-state.

Employers are investing in the future, with job postings for machine learning engineers seeing the second-biggest growth in 2024, trailing only sales and marketing managers. Roles like resident engineers and civil engineers also feature prominently in the top five fastest-growing job postings.

This surge reflects Singapore’s push for technological advancement across industries. As Chand told HRM Asia, “Across Asia-Pacific and other regions, the rise of AI and digital roles mirrors Singapore’s push for technical talent.” He further emphasised the growing demand for specialised talent in areas like generative AI (GenAI) and cybersecurity, aligning with trends observed in other markets like Australia and India.

However, this focus on high-tech roles is not mirrored in jobseeker interest. Indeed’s data revealed a strong preference for service and support positions. Pet sitters, chauffeurs, bakery assistants, sales advisors, and zookeepers top the list of roles with the highest increase in clicks. These roles often require generalised skills and offer on-the-job training, appealing to a different set of priorities.

“A unique pattern emerges in Singapore where jobseekers increasingly gravitate towards service and support roles which offer flexibility, immediate income opportunities and hands-on experiences,” explained Chand. He pointed to a significant 37% surge in job postings in sectors like childcare, suggesting this trend is more than just a passing fad.

This disparity raises a critical question: how can organisations bridge this gap and attract the talent they need? Chand offered several key recommendations. Firstly, employers must highlight the benefits that resonate with today’s jobseekers. “Candidates today increasingly value flexibility, clear career development, and a positive organisational culture,” he stated. This means showcasing hybrid working models, robust learning and development programmes, and clear pathways for professional growth. Communicating a strong vision for career progression, particularly in high-demand fields like AI, can make these roles more attractive.

Secondly, employer branding plays a vital role. Organisations need to articulate their mission, workplace culture, and the broader impact of the roles they are trying to fill. “Framing these positions as fulfilling opportunities to be part of innovative projects or meaningful change may appeal to jobseekers’ desire for purposeful work and personal growth,” Chand suggested.

Beyond attractive pay, employers must focus on fostering a strong organisational culture, embracing flexibility, and actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). This holistic approach is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in specialised roles.

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Chand also addressed the broader context of Singapore’s job market within the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted the need for policies and programmes that support employees transitioning into high-demand fields. “Balancing hiring efforts with policies and programmes that support employees transitioning into high-demand fields may benefit Singapore’s workforce,” he advised, suggesting initiatives like reskilling programmes, on-the-job training, and flexible work arrangements.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Chand anticipates a continuation of these trends. “Singapore’s job market will likely continue to reflect the dual focus of technological innovation and evolving workforce priorities,” he predicted. Demand for specialised roles in machine learning, data science, and software engineering will continue to grow, particularly in finance, logistics, and healthcare sectors. However, workforce preferences for flexibility, work-life balance, and meaningful engagement will also remain strong.

Despite a slight dip in job postings in late 2024, Chand emphasised the persistent tightness of the labour market, with a low unemployment rate of 1.9%. This tightness underscores the importance of investing in talent attraction and retention. “Given that job postings in every single sector remain above pre-pandemic baselines…the ability to adapt to these shifting dynamics will determine success in attracting top talent and ensure resilience in the face of ongoing economic and technological evolution,” he concluded.