Singaporeans Share The Toughest Part About Being Unemployed

It's an understatement to say that 2020 has been a tough year. Especially for young jobseekers, the future has never been more uncertain.

We sat down with some Singaporeans to find out how they've been coping.

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Sectors such as Financial Services, Healthcare and Infocomm Technology are hiring.

Let's get through this together!

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= Behind the Scenes =
Denise Oh @ohthedenise
Priyanka Ravichandran

[charleslow]

"We wake up healthy, we wake up smiling. There are some people who don't even wake up." - Viki

That insight hit me square in my face. I couldn't wake up years ago... but now, I'm awake.

Thank you brother for your insight, empathy and resilience.

[pendlelancashire]

*Most of these people are CHOKING and about to break into tears whilst reminiscing their unemployment. It really hit me deep. Loss of time. Loss of life. Loss of youth. Loss of untapped potential. Grief of loss. Rejection. Denial. Removal. Expulsion. Dejection.*

[michaelelijah]

I was unemployed for 10 months. Each job application felt like a heavier attempt each time, to the point where i just gave up. But out of nowhere, by the grace of God an opened door came. I’ve now been able to earn a small rice bowl. Nothing big or fancy, just enough to get by.

I know times are extremely tough now; 10 months felt like an eternity for me. I urge each and every one of you to see this valley as an opportunity to grow resilient, and to be thankful for even the smallest things; to have a roof over our heads, to eat a warm meal and sleep with bellies filled with food. I know it’s hard but trust me, once you start focusing on what you have instead of what you don’t, you can focus on growing what you have. Not all growth has to be financial; upgrade yourself and position yourself to receive better opportunities. God bless you

[NetSkillNavigator]

Broke my heart watching this.. I can feel their struggle because I was in that position too.. :'(

[singaporeantalksmoney]

Hearing all the stories of rejection, it is really tough handling them and you will doubt yourself. Hope everything can improve and we can look back at this period as a time when we stayed strong!

[kadeijadalrymple]

I'm in the same exact situation over 100 applications & still nothing. Unemployment is so depressing. Won't even wish it on my enemy

[glanced]

Apart from being hungry, the stigma that comes with unemployment is also hard to bear.

[InspiredNowOrNever]

Thank you so much for sharing. I think people really really needed this video now at the time of this high unemployment rate. Everyone that is going through this phase try to find things to be grateful. The food you eat, the bed you sleep, the people you can talk to. Being positive can help you sail through this stormy weather. Nothing is permanent, your situation will get better. But you must, I say again must always stay grateful, thankful and think positively through all these times. If not the rejections will keep bringing you very low to do stupid things which you will really regret later....

[muhammadabdulmateen]

Rule 1, be content with what u have.
Rule 2. Dont compare urself with others.

[happyleaf]

When I graduated from Uni around mid 2016, I couldn’t find a job as well. Eventually I was offered a very niche (and interesting) contract role but it was only $1.4k. Took it and jumped ship after half a year. It was another contract role only around $2.6k. But again, it was similar to my first contract which was very niche and highly demanded. After half a year again, FINALLY GOT FULL TIME JOB!! I think I’m doing ok now :)

[desyanahanavi]

I simply just wanna say thank you :) I'll work harder, smile harder and survive harder !!

[rui]

Back in 2017 when i graduated from uni, i faced the same situation. Applied many companies but not alot gotten back. Went for interviews but was not offered any positions. Then, something happened to my family member, i stopped job hunting and stayed in my previous job (that was underpaying me). After their condition is better and more stable, i started job hunting again at the start of 2019 and set target that I really need to job hop soon. In mid 2019 i found a job that is paying me what I deserve. Just keep applying, don't give up!

[Bball_Feng]

Word of encouragement to anyone who's out there looking for a suitable opportunity. Keep your chin up, upskill yourself, be realistic but DON’T sell yourself short.

[goodlife]

Everything happens for a reason. And usually for something better, in hindsight. May those who are still unemployed, find their ideal dream job soon!

[zoeng]

I remember being retrenched during covid and I was jobless for 4 months. Was the worst time of my life and I was also a fresh grad out of my job. It was my first job and my first retrenchment lol. But somehow, you will survive, it’s tough but keep trying and try to tailor your resume to certain fits. Money always can earn back, so don’t worry too much, focus on getting what you can get . Try to stay afloat, I was eating bread for one of my meals at some point plus I didn’t come from a silver spoon background haha. Keep upgrading and be patient. Life is short I also learnt a lot in my period of unemployment, asking myself to be more empathetic with myself and others. Don’t discriminate those that are jobless instead, help and empower them!

[psychoandfbi]

Never give up and always be positive! My gf got retrenched recently and managed to find another job in the same month. Don’t blindly apply for jobs but instead focus on your experience and target the jobs that are relevant. If u need some income, just find some part Time jobs first but at the same time keep looking out. I wish everyone good luck

[XYtotheZ]

This video needs to be watched, especially by all the teenage to 23 year old twits in the United States, who are under the delusion they are all going to be influencers on Instagram. And people wonder why depression, mental instability, prescription drug use, etc. is up 10, 000 fold over the past 2 decades.
Unfortunately too many young people don't seem to realize they are not special, they are a dime a dozen and the "career paths" they have chosen are not essential and can be replicated by many. I feel for them.
Technology has advanced so much in the past 4 decades that so many people and many more to come, will be obsolete.

[josephwu]

Agree with what one of the girls have to say- if you constantly work hard and upskill yourself, you would be employable and yeah don’t give up !! Hunting for job is never easy during this period but many have done it so don’t blame the economy entirely for it

[vivek]

This video was such an eye opener, so heartfelt and genuine. I am so lucky and thankful that I did not have to know this struggle. I wish you can all finds jobs soon and do great in life 🤗

[zenweaver]

For fresh graduate don't expect salary to be high.Sometimes lucky and sometimes not.Employers will always think about themselves first.Whats important is to get the 2 to 3 years experience first so you can move on with much better salary.In that 2 or 3 years you can add alot to your resume with regard to the skills and responsibilities you have been assigned.This will make you a much more attractive candidate.

For those lost job mid career, is quite hard, but the important thing is to get back to be employed asap.Sometimes not good for mental health also.If prospective employer offer low salary then just reject and move on.While its important to stay employed, also not ok to be exploited with low salary.Hang in there guys!