Hello, and welcome to the Jobcube blog!
In Part 1, we analyzed the trends in job board usage within the Singaporean job market, where a diverse, multinational workforce plays a significant role. Our research revealed that job boards are a widely used tool for job seekers. But how exactly do job seekers use job boards, and what challenges do they face? In this Part 2, we will dive deeper into the data to uncover usage trends by salary, age group, and industry, providing you with real insights into Singapore's labor market.
Survey Details:
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Target Group: Men and women aged 18–69 in Singapore (valid responses: 202)
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Survey Method: Online survey
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Survey Period: Wednesday, December 25, 2024
1. When Do Job Seekers Use Job Boards?
Chart 1: Job Board Usage Timing
First, we analyzed when job seekers check job listings. Data shows that job boards are used consistently throughout the day—morning, afternoon, and evening—indicating that job searching is not limited to specific times but rather happens in spare moments. Therefore, it is crucial for companies and job boards to ensure an easily accessible environment at all times. Enhancing mobile-friendly UI and recommendation features can make job searching more efficient and user-friendly.
2. Why Do Job Seekers Use Job Boards?
Chart 2: Reasons for Using Job Boards
Next, we analyzed the reasons why job seekers choose job boards. The top three reasons were: 1) a large number of job listings, 2) a user-friendly interface, and 3) high-quality job listings. Among these, "a large number of job listings" was the most important factor. Having a wide range of options is a major attraction for job seekers, and in addition, an easy-to-use interface and high-quality job listings also play a significant role in their decision-making.
3.Challenges of Using Job Boards
Chart 3: Challenges of Using Job Boards
While job boards are widely used, job seekers also face challenges. The top three issues reported were: 1) Insufficient quality of posted information 2) Few job listings, and 3) too many or too few notifications. Among these, "Insufficient quality of posted information " was the biggest concern, with over 60% expressing dissatisfaction. This issue is a key reason why job seekers struggle to find attractive job opportunities. In particular, unclear job descriptions and vague job conditions make it difficult for them to identify suitable positions.
4. Most Important Job Selection Criteria
Chart 4: Key Job Selection Criteria
We analyzed what job seekers prioritize when choosing a job. The top three factors were: 1) salary, 2) employee benefits, and 3) work-life balance. Notably, nearly 80% of job seekers identified salary as the most critical factor. Therefore, companies should not only offer competitive salaries but also enhance employee benefits and provide flexible work options to attract top talent.
5. Number of Job Applications per Job Search (by Salary Level)
Chart 5: Number of Applications per Job Search by Salary Level
We analyzed how many companies job seekers apply to during a single job search and found that there were no significant differences based on age or industry. However, salary level influenced the number of applications. Job seekers earning $1K–75K per year tend to apply to fewer companies, with about 80% submitting 1–8 applications per job search, while those earning $75K+ per year tend to apply to more companies, with about 40% submitting 16 or more applications. This suggests that high-income job seekers tend to review more job postings in order to explore a wider range of opportunities.
6.Do Job Seekers Have a Resume Ready?
Chart 6: Resume Preparedness
Having a resume prepared in advance is crucial for a smooth job search.
Our data shows that about 90% of job seekers already have a resume ready, with no significant differences by age, industry, or salary level.
Key Insights & Takeaways
Salary is the Most Important Factor
The top priority for job seekers when choosing a job is salary. This aligns with previous findings, where "improving income" was the most common reason for job changes. To attract job seekers, companies and job boards should ensure that job listings include detailed salary information.
Biggest Challenge: Job Quality
The most significant issue with job boards is the low quality of job listings. At Jobcube, this challenge is addressed through several strategies:
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Filtering out incomplete job listings by removing listings that lack key details.
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Eliminating duplicate job listings using AI-powered algorithms to detect and remove similar listings.
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Improve job tags like 'No Experience Needed' or 'Remote Work Available' to make your job search smoother and ensure accurate and relevant job descriptions that align with local job market needs.
Second Biggest Challenge: Limited Job Listings
Another major challenge is the limited number of job listings. While job availability is influenced by external factors such as economic conditions, job boards must maintain a strong job database. At Jobcube, this is achieved by:
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Offering over 80,000 job listings in Singapore as of February 13, 2025.
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Leveraging proprietary web crawling technology to continuously expand job listings.
A Message from Jobcube
Are you using the right job board for your career goals? Finding the right job requires choosing the right platform that fits your needs and industry. Our survey provided valuable insights into how job seekers use job boards and the challenges they face in Singapore. Jobcube is committed to addressing these issues by improving job quality, increasing job availability, and enhancing user convenience. We will continue to expand our job listings, refine our platform, and support job seekers in finding the perfect opportunity. Stay tuned for more updates as we work towards making your job search smoother and more efficient! Start Your Job Search with Jobcube Today!
About Jobcube, Inc.
Jobcube, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kakaku.com, Inc. established in Delaware, USA in 2023. It operates an online job board that connects employers and jobseekers. Kakaku.com, Inc., the parent company, is a Japanese Internet service provider founded in 1997 and operates one of the largest web services in Japan in various fields, including the product comparison site "Kakaku.com" and the restaurant search and reservation service "Tabelog”. Since 2015, the company has been operating "Kyujin-Box," a job search service, which has received favorable reviews for its ability to search a wide range of job information in bulk according to many and varied needs, and it boasts users starting from young adults though to senior citizens.
