Anyone jobless for a long time before?

Australian High Commission - Office Manager
Australian High Commission - Administration Officer

://singapore.embassy.gov.au/sing/careers.html

won't say that i'm jobless for a long time.. just a little "rant".

i've just graduated from ntu with a second upper, got it during my final year sem 1, and have been applying for jobs since then. i can honestly say that i have applied to more than 50+ companies, and every interview that i went has indeed been a learning experience for me.

however, there have been instances where i see my peers securing a job first, even though they are those who only applied to a few, and are "fixed in their comfort zone". i know that i shouldn't compare and all, but you know, human nature. i try my best not to, but sometimes it just comes. makes me question my efforts and hardwork. but its okay, because i always tell myself that one day, the efforts will pay off and i just have to keep moving forward.

so far, i've been rejected from 6+, all reached the final round. i thought i aced the interviews, like i managed to answer well and all. but i always fail to make the cut at the end. asked for feedback, and one company said maybe to think and pause first before answering to sound more natural and not rehearsed. that's good feedback, but at the same time, i've been to so many interviews, so sometimes things are just in my head and i clearly know what i want already. but its okay, will still take note of that and 'think'.

to sum it all up, its kind of hard to keep myself afloat despite all these rejections, honestly. i know i have to move on and stay positive and optimistic, and i don't have much issue with it, but it's just mentally tiring for me sometimes. im still waiting for reply from 2 companies, but the longer i wait, the lower my chances.

sorry for the long post.. just a little rant.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

won't say that i'm jobless for a long time.. just a little "rant".

i've just graduated from ntu with a second upper, got it during my final year sem 1, and have been applying for jobs since then. i can honestly say that i have applied to more than 50+ companies, and every interview that i went has indeed been a learning experience for me.

however, there have been instances where i see my peers securing a job first, even though they are those who only applied to a few, and are "fixed in their comfort zone". i know that i shouldn't compare and all, but you know, human nature. i try my best not to, but sometimes it just comes. makes me question my efforts and hardwork. but its okay, because i always tell myself that one day, the efforts will pay off and i just have to keep moving forward.

so far, i've been rejected from 6+, all reached the final round. i thought i aced the interviews, like i managed to answer well and all. but i always fail to make the cut at the end. asked for feedback, and one company said maybe to think and pause first before answering to sound more natural and not rehearsed. that's good feedback, but at the same time, i've been to so many interviews, so sometimes things are just in my head and i clearly know what i want already. but its okay, will still take note of that and 'think'.

to sum it all up, its kind of hard to keep myself afloat despite all these rejections, honestly. i know i have to move on and stay positive and optimistic, and i don't have much issue with it, but it's just mentally tiring for me sometimes. im still waiting for reply from 2 companies, but the longer i wait, the lower my chances.

sorry for the long post.. just a little rant.

How long have you been jobless? I thought NTU only officially graduate in around July time frame?

As for interviews, take it easy. The Singapore economy is very bad now and sometimes its not that you are not good, but when there are 10 good quality applicants for every 1 job, it will take some time before you get something.

There are grads who spend a few years doing contract jobs here and there before finally getting a perm job.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How long have you been jobless? I thought NTU only officially graduate in around July time frame?

As for interviews, take it easy. The Singapore economy is very bad now and sometimes its not that you are not good, but when there are 10 good quality applicants for every 1 job, it will take some time before you get something.

There are grads who spend a few years doing contract jobs here and there before finally getting a perm job.

Perhaps the roles that you have been applying are more stringent in their interview processes, due to the complexity of the job nature, the pay, or whatever it is, they could be tougher to get into as compared to the jobs that your peers have landed.

I know what you mean by being natural and being rehearsed, and how the numerous interviews you have went to had already ingrained those answers into your head. It most likely is more to do with your delivery and body language rather than the 'stop to think' gesture.

Be ultra confident in interviews, yet always remember to inject friendliness into your tone so as not to come off as smug or arrogant. Confidence when paired with passion in your replies, will always leave a good impression with the interviewers. Practice the tone, pitch and timing of your replies so as to sound confident and natural.

Good luck!

thanks for all the advice, will take note.

yeah, not jobless. but ive been searching for a job since semester one because my goal was to secure one before graduation. and its not like i did nothing about it; i constantly got out of my comfort zone and applied as much as i can.

i've been rejected from a few, those that i really wanted. and it really makes me sad. but i pull myself up and work hard for the next best that i have. today i just know that i got rejected again for the role that i wanted. i went for their ac, they were hiring 4, and there were 5 of us, though there was another session during june. and honestly, even with all these effort that i put in, all these hardwork, it really sucks to know that i still cannot make the cut when the odds are in my favor. i mean, i dont even have 1 single job offer. not even one. it really puts me down day by day, and i've been trying very hard to push away the thought that i'm not good enough, because ultimately, it's all because of this stupid factor called luck.

its so mentally draining and tiring.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

thanks for all the advice, will take note.

yeah, not jobless. but ive been searching for a job since semester one because my goal was to secure one before graduation. and its not like i did nothing about it; i constantly got out of my comfort zone and applied as much as i can.

i've been rejected from a few, those that i really wanted. and it really makes me sad. but i pull myself up and work hard for the next best that i have. today i just know that i got rejected again for the role that i wanted. i went for their ac, they were hiring 4, and there were 5 of us, though there was another session during june. and honestly, even with all these effort that i put in, all these hardwork, it really sucks to know that i still cannot make the cut when the odds are in my favor. i mean, i dont even have 1 single job offer. not even one. it really puts me down day by day, and i've been trying very hard to push away the thought that i'm not good enough, because ultimately, it's all because of this stupid factor called luck.

its so mentally draining and tiring.

To get more context in order to offer more advice, which industry are your interviews in? What type of roles are they?

hi, im from mechanical engineering in ntu, second upper, mild specialization in supply chain. i applied for direct hire positions and also graduate/management programs. the ones that i got rejected are those that i reached the final round, be it programs or hire. the most recent one i got rejected is for a supply chain operations role, also graduate program.

I graduated in 2013, applied everyday for a month. Couldn't wait so jumped on a $7/hr job. Fast forward 3 years I'm in a good place with basic of 5k. Sometimes you just have to go down the stairs before you climb up.

British High Commission
-Regional Programme Officer
-Executive Assistant

s://.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high-commission-singapore/about/recruitment

Sidetrack a bit, what do you guys think of using recruitment agencies as a fresh uni grad to find a full time job. Was thinking of agencies like recruit express, kelly, capita etc.

Asking this because in general have a bad impression of them when I was looking for part time job