SINGAPORE: A man recently shared his career dilemma on social media, saying he’s now thinking about becoming a security guard due to the low starting salary in his chosen field.
Posting on Reddit’s ‘Ask Singapore’ forum, he explained that entry-level roles in his industry only offer around S$2,200-2,600 per month. “I’ve been offered S$2,200 because of no experience,” he said.
In contrast, he noted that security officer positions start at S$2,600 to S$3,000, offering a more attractive starting wage. “There’s even a decent salary increment according to rank,” he added.
The man acknowledged that the higher pay in security work reflects the demands of long hours and shift work. However, he explained that after months of job hunting and being repeatedly disappointed by low offers, he’s exhausted and more willing to consider the security field as a viable option.
Turning to Reddit, he asked the community—particularly other polytechnic graduates and experienced security officers—for insights and advice. He wrote, “Should I just work as a security guard? Would also like some advice from experienced officers. Thanks.”
“The security guard job is a dead end and has no career progression”
In the comments section, a few Singaporean Redditors pointed out that although security work can be a good option for those needing immediate financial stability, it might not offer long-term career growth compared to other professional fields.
One Redditor said, “Salary increment in the security guard industry? Bro, those old men in their 70s who’ve spent their entire lives doing it are earning terribly; tell me what increment.
“It’s a short-term ‘raise’ but ultimately leads to a dead end for your career and personal growth.”
Another commented, “The security guard job is a dead end and has no career progression. The ‘experience’ is not transferable to most jobs, and you will have to start from zero again. Proceed only if you envision yourself doing security guard for the next 30-40 years.”
Others encouraged him to be patient, suggesting that he could use the security job as a temporary solution while continuing to search for opportunities in his field or furthering his skills to make himself more competitive.
On the other hand, some suggested that he should accept the S$2.2k job offer for the experience, noting that having some industry experience could be valuable in the long run. They argued that he could use this experience to negotiate a higher salary in future roles or even transition into better-paying opportunities within the same field.
One Redditor shared, “I just started my job at 2.2k. It’s my first job, so I just took it. I have been applying for months before I found it. Imo, just take it for the work experience.”
Aside from security work, Singaporeans facing long periods of unemployment are also turning to alternative gigs such as delivery riding, tutoring, event staffing, barista jobs, sales assistance, freelancing, warehouse work, and more.
Many have sid that they’ve taken on these jobs to tide them over while they search for employment in their chosen field.
Others, however, have said they intend to stay in these roles permanently. One example is an IT support engineer who shared earlier this year that he switched to being a RedMart delivery driver because he grew tired of his previous job.
But should recent graduates entering the workforce also consider this path? Should they pivot their career paths and focus on gigs instead? Should they reject low-paying offers right away?
According to Indeed, if employers offer lower pay, it’s crucial to evaluate the entire job offer before making a decision. Consider whether the salary is enough to cover your living expenses and if it leaves you room to save for the future.
Moreover, before accepting or rejecting offers, research the average salary and benefits for similar positions in the industry.
If the salary offered is lower than the average for that role, you could use this data to negotiate for higher pay.
The Indeed website suggests, “Try asking if the company has the budget to negotiate the salary and what range they can offer for the position. Then, you can use your research to propose a counteroffer.”
If, however, the employer is not open to negotiating the salary, you might consider rejecting the offer and looking for a role with a salary that better aligns with the market rate.
Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)