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Hi Gilbert,
I am glad that I have chanced upon
this website. Truly, I have some frightening tales to share with
regard to the current employment condition in our country.
Let me share abit about myself
first.
Armed with a local degree (even
though without a fantastic grade), I thought that my qualifications
would lead me to a decent job in Singapore. Unfortunately, I
graduated during the last economic recession and job
opportunities were scarce.
Eventually, after job
searching for a while, I settled for a contract job and
some tutoring to tide over a lean period. I was disappointed to say
the least and was brought down to earth literally.
Now the contract job is over and
the job search is on again. There is this feeling of insecurity and
depression resurfacing all over again.
I thought everything would be
pretty fine – at least I have some work experience to count on
but what paints reality is that several months may pass
before I can get a full time job.
I tried many ways and sent out
quite a high number of application letters, but nothing comes to a
fruition………… I became secretly depressed as I understand that
my parents are retired and they may wonder why this daughter of
theirs’ is so useless.
Some of my peers are no better than
me.
Many of them settled for jobs
they don’t even like because they have to satisfy parental
obligations. Some of my foreign friends gave up and decided to
return to their homeland. Others continue on their contract job as
a means of continuation and survival.
My years in school also supported
the fact that the fittest and elitist will survive in
our country and I am at the bottom of this pool.
It looked like my future is bleak
since I have no solid good grades, no proper working experience ,
no money and nothing. What am I supposed to do now?
Regards
Sally (name
changed)
*****************************************************************
Dear
Sally,
Thanks for
you mail.
Frankly
your story is not uncommon – the feeling that there is not much
hope for the newly graduated.
Globalisation and some unbelievable government policies have
deterred quite alot of people from gaining meaningful
employment.
Count
yourself fortunate that you have found some temporary job just to
survive. Many people I know could not even find a contract job
after many months of job searching.
Its the same survival story for many people
out there these days.
Many work
for a short contract and they are off work for a while before
rejoining the job market for another shorter contract. There is
this feeling of insecurity and lack of financial
independence.
It will be
good for you to network more as nowdays jobs are difficult to come
by and knowing the right people helps.
Go out and
meet people, arrange drinks with them and attend social events to
widen your circle of friends.
The saying
“Its not what you know but who you know” rings very true
nowadays.
Jobs come
about by word of mouth and many people have told me that they found
jobs not from the papers but from their friends.
You can
apply for hundreds or even thousands of jobs but all you get
is total silence or if you are fortunate – a nice rejection
letter.
Meanwhile,
as you work, move around and source out for new
opportunities. Don’t just stay at home after work, join clubs
and get to know more people.
The job
market now is like a survival jungle out there. Stay lean and
strong.
Try to
raise your adversity quotient by taking on new challenges such as
running a marathon or mountain climbing.
By doing
that, it will actually help you to face up to much adversity in
life and prepared you for the challenges of job searching and
unemployment.
Lastly, can
I ask for your permission to post this mail on my site?
I also need
to know the kind of degree you have and a rough indication of your
age group if you may. Please revert if possible on this.
Thanks and
never give up. We are here for you.
Regards
Gilbert
