WHAT has been a bumper year for job seekers, has been a torrid time for employers - especially those in the service industry.

More than seven out of every 10 unfilled positions are in the service sector, according to the latest figures from the Manpower Ministry.

In all, there were 35,500 job vacancies as of September. Of these, 25,158 were in the service industry.

The more than 35,000 unfilled jobs marks a 19 per cent jump from a year ago - another sign of just how strong employment has been this year.

Topping the list of sought-after workers are the usual suspects: security guards, construction workers and sales assistants.

In each of these jobs, there are more than 1,000 vacancies. This picture of plenty does not surprise industry observers like human resource expert Paul Heng, of NeXT Career Consulting.

At a time when choices abound for job seekers, it is the unglamorous jobs that are left on the shelf.

'These are jobs that are viewed as work done by people who cannot get other work,' said Mr Heng.

Ms Lau Chuen Wei, executive director of the Singapore Retailers Association, agrees.

She says that while steps are being taken to improve the status of these jobs, more foreign workers need to be brought in to make up for the shortfall.

The increased foreign worker quotas, starting from next year, may still not be enough to meet demand, she added.

Part of the problem is the nature of work of frontline staff.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.