Jobstreet by SEEK has announced a major shift in its recruitment approach with the launch of new holistic hiring solutions, aimed at addressing the growing challenges faced by employers in Singapore. The company has moved away from its traditional “pay to post” model, offering unlimited free job ads and introducing AI-driven recruiting services and a platform to verify work credentials.
These new solutions have been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), providing a secure and streamlined hiring experience. Jobstreet’s initiative is designed to support both employers and jobseekers as the employment landscape evolves, aiming to improve job search journeys and boost placement success.
Responding to a changing hiring environment
Singapore’s hiring landscape in 2025 presents a tough environment for employers. Budget constraints, a tight labour market, and the rising number of new roles have made talent acquisition more difficult. Jobstreet has recorded a 146 percent year-on-year increase in job applications per ad, far exceeding the Asian average of 57 percent, demonstrating how competitive the market has become.
Traditional hiring strategies are no longer enough. Employers now face challenges such as job-skills mismatches, rising salary expectations, and shifting workforce preferences. With these pressures in mind, Jobstreet’s new solutions have been designed to directly address the root causes of these hiring difficulties.
New solutions to enhance hiring outcomes
One of the key features of Jobstreet’s revamped offering is the “Pay for Performance” model. Employers can now post unlimited job listings at no cost, reaching over 3 million registered jobseekers on the platform as of February 2025. They have the option to pay for premium features to boost the visibility of important roles. All job ads now come with a forecast of expected applications, helping employers plan their recruitment budgets more effectively. Additional tools for analytics and reporting are available for employers who want deeper insights into their hiring strategies.
Jobstreet has also introduced SmartHire, a talent-hunting service powered by artificial intelligence. SmartHire connects employers with the most suitable candidates, aiming to reduce time-to-hire and improve match quality. Employers only pay a fee if a successful hire is made, offering a cost-saving of 50 percent compared to traditional recruitment agencies. Since its launch, SmartHire has already led to 270 successful placements in Hong Kong as of March 2025.
Another major innovation is SEEK Pass, a platform that enables jobseekers to verify their qualifications and skills. Verified profiles help jobseekers stand out and enable employers to streamline their screening processes. In Australia and New Zealand, where SEEK Pass has been active since December 2024, jobseekers with verified credentials were 16 percent more likely to be shortlisted. In Singapore, the service is further enhanced by integration with MOM and SSG’s Careers & Skills Passport, allowing for verification of digital identities and career histories.
Commitment to transforming Singapore’s recruitment landscape
Jobstreet’s reimagined business model demonstrates its commitment to addressing the changing demands of the recruitment market. By combining SEEK’s technological capabilities with a strong understanding of Singapore’s employment ecosystem, the company is driving greater transparency, trust, and efficiency.
The Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore, Vic Sithasanan, said, “The recruitment landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by the increasing use of AI in hiring and a growing emphasis on skills-based hiring. Employers now harness tools to evaluate job applicants, beyond credentials but also on competencies, resulting in a shift that is reshaping how talent is discovered and hired. Jobstreet plays a critical role in Singapore’s employment ecosystem by addressing these evolving demands. We are excited to introduce our reimagined business model, aiding employers in focusing on strategic hiring decisions and jobseekers to showcase their skills in ways that help them to stand out in a competitive landscape.”
With innovations such as unlimited free ads, SmartHire, and SEEK Pass, Jobstreet aims to equip both employers and jobseekers with the tools they need to navigate the increasingly complex and competitive hiring environment in Singapore.
