Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

From a recent LinkedIn Career Transition Master Post www.handiscoverycards.com

Singapore's job market isn't broken. It's obsolete.

Three people touched an elephant in the dark.
One grabbed the trunk. "It's a snake." (Employers: "Singaporeans are unemployable.")
Another held the leg. "It's a tree." (Government: "Unemployment is 1.9%. Jobs are available.")
The third pulled the tail. "It's a rope." (Workers: "I've sent 500 applications. Nothing.")

Each described their piece of truth. None saw the whole animal.

Singapore built a workforce for a middle class that's disappearing. For 30 years, the script worked: Get credentials, Get a $4K–$8K role, Climb the ladder, and Retire safe.

That machine is breaking.
High-end work has gone hyper-technical and AI-native.
Low-end work is expanding, but cannot sustain life here.
And the $4K–$8K PME tier that powered Singapore's prosperity is being automated, outsourced, or reorganised out of existence.

Everyone is right. Everyone is struggling.
Because the system they're navigating is dead.

You're not unemployable. You were built for a game that ended.
One that rewarded credentials over capability. That market is gone.

The bamboo forest is serene at first glance.
Reality? A vertical war for sunlight: silent, fierce, relentless.
That's the real competition.
Not your colleague, but Manila, Jakarta, Bangkok, Bengaluru, you name it.
Cheaper. Hungrier. AI-augmented. Rising fast.

So stop asking "Who will hire me?"
Start asking, "What problem can I solve that proves I'm worth 5X what I cost?"
Stop competing for disappearing jobs.
Start positioning yourself where AI, outsourcing, and cheap labour can't follow.

This isn't theory. Three decades of work with over 100,000 professionals show one pattern clearly:

Those who adapt early don't just survive the collapse of the middle.
They dominate what opens next.

The old system isn't coming back.
One path lets you choose your position.
The other leaves you with whatever's left.
Your call.

How many Singapore staff have retired on 31 December 2025?

Everyone having a good December?

aggro only because sinkies don't like to see other sinkies succeed, that's why we are in this situation today.

not my contribution but BTC's. not sure why you so aggro lol

@8j7h What wishful thinking. You still believe that your contributions matters eh? Lol.

Can't wait to see the effect of bad quality work giving the result, xom shares have to drop for sure

@8j4a+16zEvLP3

There are 3000 employees at BTC. What do you think will be the Singapore headcount after the redundancy strategy is implemented?

you are right, it should be an exercise every 5 years until they are able to keep it lean enough to sell off the plant

At the rate they flooding BTC we might see another program ~2030

Xom gonna go back to 30 dollars soon?

Crisp opening ceremony? But is it profitable to continue operating to earn money? Crude oil is at $55 and heading towards $30!

Steam, resident troll still stirring

Because they not here complain like you. So happy to see many get fired and I enjoy my expat.

Steam sia, all the non shift or not involved with start up people doing their best to claim recognition for successful start. More good years to go

@8hcy LinkedIn attention seekers already in action.

opening ceremony, news out already and all seem like work as usual. Locals don't ask their ministers where did the job go to?

@8h9c probably anticipating people leaving or going on PIP

@8gzg tbh there is no more evident high flyer in this particular function anymore. So don't fall into the illusion that you are a high flyer just because you are in this particular "elite" group.

Work hard and learn as much as you can and move on to hopefully contribute back to the company (if not is okay, leave for better company also can). Don't be those delusional ba----d thinking they are super hipo when actually they are just lying to themselves and can't even do justify basis econs and only know how to churn/set plans on fire just for attention.

@8h9c maybe some are lying;(

The numbers don’t really add up, quite a lot lower than what was mentioned at the townhall. Hmmm… another round?

Can be refinery MOC coordinator or refinery document controller

What is RC btw? The PE means Process Engineer right?

@8gzg ask your supervisor about your potential pluzzeasse…. Not a layoff board

Troll that is jealous of people in PE.

@8gzx it’s a fair question. I was told that PE need to stay in the position longer than before, so when someone claims that he is able to move so fast, either this person doesn’t exist or he must be doing something right that PE can all learn from.

@8gzg , either you are a troll, trying to sabotage someone from RC, or you are a damn dumpster..

Got moved to a RC role a week ago after less than 3 years of PE stint. Am I considered a high flier ?

@8gsf I passed mine to the town council worker.

you already said it is something from chemicals. Nothing good from chemicals

The increment for 2026 is damn bs. Those that got the package is actually very lucky.

Do you remember the "Growing with Purpose" ExxonMobil Chemical initiative from circa 2019.

Today, we should rebrand the "Growing with Purpose" Polo Shirts from circa 2019 to "Shrinking with Purpose" and provide the remaining employees with new Polo shirts.

@8gpn yup. But i also empathise for those who stay on. EM is no longer great. So stop wearing those shirts with the logo and walk like you are on a runway. Deluding yourself.

@8gmx feeling good to see some leaving

How is it everyone, work as usual right

Every time I check posts on Workvivo, I always see this same person commenting Iol

In progress. Sinkies don't know that the direction is to outsource. Good example is China one project, build it up to shutdown part of scp. Same theory, change soup but still use the same ingredients

When will everyone get offshore and no need any office here.

Just a job only lah… all this WAEM or one-team nonsense really damn lame

LT just wants to protect their own jobs and interests. If you ever thought they saw you as family, that was naive. They really don’t give a s**t about you.