A recruiter’s claim that companies prefer “hungrier” foreign talent over locals sparks backlash, with netizens questioning if it means cheaper labour hiring.
A podcast clip recently stirred a lively debate online after a job recruiter listed “hunger” as one of the main qualities Singaporean companies are seeking in job candidates.
These days, candidates feel they must do whatever it takes to secure a job, as companies demand an edge that helps individuals stand out from the crowd.
Legal recruiter Lee Shulin, speaking on Channel News Asia’s Deep Dive podcast, advised that young employees—especially in Singapore—need to be “a little more paranoid” about their career prospects.
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“The companies that I now work with are letting go of Singaporeans in favour of hiring people in Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines not because they’re necessarily more skilled but because they are a lot hungrier.
“And that hunger is now irreplaceable,” she said in the podcast.
Lee also emphasised the importance of relationship-building skills, particularly when communicating with employers during job interviews.
“You have to go to a job interview, be able to look into someone’s eye and carry a conversation,” she added.
She further reflected on the “scary” reality of many Gen Z job seekers being unable to carry on a conversation, to the point that they struggle to explain their job experience to a stranger.
Lee’s remarks did not sit well with netizens, some of whom questioned whether she was promoting a narrative of more work for less pay.
“‘Hungrier’ is a really weird way of saying companies in Singapore are hiring cheaper labour,” one user said.
The backlash was later addressed in an Instagram reel, in which Lee defended her comments, saying she had observed companies favouring talent not only from developing nations but also from countries such as New Zealand, Hong Kong and China over Singaporeans.
“We should all be paranoid given that the entire world is going through disruption.
“What makes you so special that you think your job or business or career will not be disrupted? I’m worried about my livelihood and so should you,” she said in her reel.
