Hi, could anyone please confirm if my approach is correct? Additionally, I would appreciate your feedback or advice.
I am a 35-year-old foreigner who had been unemployed for seven months since April, including the period after my last job interview, which eventually led to my current position. I dedicated numerous hours every day to job applications. The time spent editing my resume and writing cover letters was incredibly extensive. I even recorded my applications in an Excel sheet, totalling just over 200. Despite holding a PhD in life sciences from a local university and having 3 years of work experience, I found it deeply disheartening not to receive a single job offer in about six months. Out of these 200+ applications, I only had five job interviews, all of which I believe I performed extremely well in. The challenges arose due to factors such as retrenchment, the closure of biotech start-ups, switch in government’s plan for the nation, and funding cuts across research institutes. Moreover, there have been restrictions on hiring foreigners over the past 6-7 months, as observed from my foreign friends who also struggled to find jobs in Singapore. Regardless of my skills, background, knowledge, and experience aligning with job descriptions, I suspect my applications were often disregarded based on nationality.
After three months of job hunting, I broadened my options to include opportunities slightly outside my expertise, including non-research roles. About three months later, I progressed through two rounds of interviews for a position I’m not particularly interested in. I decided to accept it to sustain myself financially, planning to explore better opportunities in research later on. I couldn’t afford to stay unemployed any longer, so I opted for this job that could provide income, even if it wasn’t my ideal choice.
Here’s where the discouragement sets in. Some of my friends, including locals, criticized me for taking a job meant for more qualified candidates. They argued that these candidates might be more passionate and productive, thus it would be better for the company to hire them instead. Others questioned why I would settle for a job unsuited to my interests, implying that it would lead me back to square one if I quit after a few months. They also questioned the value of learning new skills if I wouldn’t use them in the long run when I returned to research.
I understand that highly qualified jobs are valuable and might be better suited for candidates with more relevant skills. However, am I wrong for taking a job out of necessity? I underwent tertiary education, spent months applying for jobs, put extensive effort into interview preparations, and went through the formal hiring process like any other candidate.
Why am I wrong for securing a job that isn’t my primary interest? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.