Advice/thoughts on finding work in a think tank (Current options are Singapore or Canada)

Graduated from RSIS in Singapore (MSc Strategic Studies) from 2023. Only work I took (before and after I moved back to Manila) consist of an internship (remote) and being a remote consultant to do a report on the feasibility of Chinese influence operations if done from a religious/cultural perspective. I left SG since I didn't find work/no work offers were done. I know that some of my mates were able to get work in RSIS after graduation, which I find to be... "amazing" as either associate research fellow or research associates/assistants.

I've applied to RSIS since it has think tanks, most of me applications were junked. Trying again in Canada via Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada to be a researcher (fully funded, though I've yet to ask if it can be used for living expenses considering Vancouver today).

Some profs told me to try if I can go to Japan, but considering my N5 language skills, I have doubts on this option.

Due to things happening in the US with regards to the current president, I'm not pursuing plans to seek work in a US-based think tank (even if I want to).

Would like to ask those who are in think tanks on advice/strategies (maybe) on how to do it. So far, I do speak (via e-mail) to persons who do research in both countries about it.