Late 30s and Still Rejected: The Harsh Reality of Upskilling in Singapore

[reds79]

all talk abt voting opp until got tiger, got dragon

comes to voting day, all vote pap

every damn election also the same

 

[Scarlet Tea]

as a employer i want to hire young, cheap, impressionable, high-energy staffs.
i prioritize loyalty, initiative, leadership, character, ability to work in a team more than simi upskilling.

i have had many experiences with people that collect certs think they're holier than thou, only to send them packing after probation. while those got no cert ones put in much more effort and can put those with certs to shame.

Might as well say u prefer hiring slaves

 

[artncraft]

Supply and demand.

There are many foreigners with similar knowledge and experience willing to take up the job with significantly lower pay.

The employers can always ask relatives and friends to be their ghost employees to beat the quota.

 

[mirukuboi]

super naive....

 

[chongquan82]

In b4 ts kope from which reddit

Sinkies vote for pap

Please vote for more pap so more sinkies can join in the fun grab jobs

 

[Kaylin]

can u do sucking up, OT, obedience, taking the blame in order to make yr boss look gd? these are soft skills that most sinkies dont hv

 

[Kaylin]

Just curious who sells you such dream ?

shd be parents, elders, teachers & religious leaders

 

[mosmos]

Wat abt signon polis?

 

[Thoreldan]

moi recv a resume from FT
26yo with 10yrs experience asking less 3k only

jin satki...start working at 16yo. true or not no one can confirm

how u beat that?

I can clear soc and ippt
Can strip and assemble rifle too.

 

[NuaMan]

shd be parents, elders, teachers & religious leaders

I have a feeling is from SkillsFuture SG (SSG) who sells TS the dream.

 

[Kaylin]

I have a feeling is from SkillsFuture SG (SSG) who sells TS the dream.

if the parents & teachers didnt sell him this dream in childhood then he wouldnt hv believed in adulthood

 

[enimen]

In sg, one of the ways to get hired is cronism.

U need someone on the inside to pull u in.

 

[Dongbalek]

eh TS, you dont have working experience in the new industry, how do you expect the employers to justify hiring you over those that have the relevant working experience?

 

[eternalxiii]

I’m writing this because I need to be honest about something that’s been weighing on me for a while.


A few years ago, I bought into the dream that upskilling would change my life. I signed up for project management modules, took data analytics courses, and spent countless evenings and weekends learning new things. I genuinely believed that if I worked hard enough, if I kept improving myself, I’d eventually land a better job or maybe even start a new career.


But now, after sending out hundreds of job applications—each one painstakingly customised, every cover letter rewritten for the role—I’m still stuck. Most of the time, I don’t even get a reply. When I do, it’s another polite rejection. It’s hard not to take it personally after putting in so much effort.


The truth is, upskilling in your late 30s or beyond isn’t the magic solution it’s made out to be, especially if you are a local. I’ve realised that age really does matter in the job market for s Singaporean, no matter what people say. Employers talk about valuing experience and lifelong learning, but when it comes down to it, they still prefer someone younger, someone who fits neatly into their expectations.


It’s not that I regret learning new things. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and I know I’m more capable now than I was before. But the reality is, all these new skills haven’t helped me break through the invisible wall that seems to go up once you hit a certain age. My years of experience in a different field are suddenly “irrelevant,” and my new certificates don’t seem to matter.


I’ve tried networking, reaching out to people, even offering to intern or volunteer just to get a foot in the door. Still, nothing changes. The advice always sounds so simple—“just keep trying, keep learning”—but it’s draining to keep putting yourself out there and getting nothing in return.


I’m not writing this to discourage anyone from learning. But I do think we need to be honest about how tough it is for mid-career Singaporeans in Singapore. Upskilling is important, but it’s not a guaranteed ticket to a new job or a fresh start, especially when employers aren’t willing to take a chance on someone older.


If you’re going through the same thing, I just want you to know you’re not alone. I’m frustrated, tired, and honestly, starting to lose hope. Maybe it’s time we have a real conversation about what mature workers actually need—not just more courses, but real opportunities.

You picked data analytics - the one of the hottest and most competitive industries, what did you expect?

You know your competition? Straight As local grads, some with masters and PHDs. What's more, are you aware of the recent hiring freeze for CS grads due to over-hiring during covid, bad economic forecasts, and AI advancing enough to replace many junior devs?

In my company, a MNC, the entire ASIA analytics team got laid off. Officially, we are supposed to rely on the GLOBAL analytics team but the backlog is -forever-. So the local business teams saved one or two guys by pulling them in to do analytics/ops.

Unfortunately, I have no solution for you. Maybe try another industry. If this is meant to be a political thread, voting opposition isn't going to get you anywhere. Neither they nor PAP nor any other party have any solution.

 

[TA20222025]

You used AI to write your story?

 

[coyote]

So vote pap Out

So this is just another election thread to bash the incumbents, never about that ts trying to get a better paying job? Or ts is genuinely sharing his experience and as usual edmwers turning every thread to political thread?

 

[lampano]

Skillsfuture's programmes cannot beat availability of FTs.

the biggest problem in today Singapore are all FT related.
jobs, cost, food, transport, breakdown, COE, inflation and very rude they are most of it

 

[blinker]

TS your destiny lies in one of the logo below.... Pick and choose wisely

 

[RedOrion]

Imagine being in your late 40s. Like me.

They ask which graveyard you dug out from...

 

[RinoaX]

You Voted for who first?