7 in 10 Singaporeans worried over depressing 2013 hiring

But they're still mulling over job shifts.

According to the JobStreet.com Job Outlook Report, Singaporeans are expecting a cautious hiring climate in 2013.

Here's more from JobStreet.com:

Amongst the 550 Singaporean workers who participated in this survey, only 27% forecasted an upbeat hiring pace in 2013. 73% expressed concerns for a conservative job climate with lesser supply of jobs.

100 employers were surveyed and they echoed the same sentiments for the job market next year. However, while only 9% of the employers felt that the national economy will continue to pick up, majority indicated that they will still continue to hire amidst caution.

Only 22% of the employers surveyed said they will require more than 10 new hires within the next 6 months. 

The survey also revealed an interesting contradiction. Despite predicting a slowdown in the job market, 75% of Singaporean workers are still considering changing jobs in 2013.

Salary and job advancement were identified as the top pull factors for a job change. Majority of the respondents also singled out the first quarter as the best time  to start a job hunt.

Generally, the market sentiment has improved from last year with only 50% of Singaporean workers expecting to take longer than 3 months to secure a job in 2013 compared to 70% in 2012. Companies are also taking a more optimistic approach to hiring with only 7% of employers not intending to hire this year instead of 20% in 2012.