As more and more countries and companies are being impacted by Covid-19 which is proving to be a long term battle, news of retrenchment abounds.
On 11 August 2020, it was announced that the Singapore economy contracted by 13.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis in the April to June quarter, worse than the 12.6 per cent decline seen in the Government’s advance estimate and a sharp deterioration from the 0.3 per cent contraction in the previous quarter. Retrenchments will rise – inevitably – as the economies of the world are disrupted.
NTUC Sec-Gen Ng Chee Meng said that NTUC is working with companies to preserve jobs by first exploring all cost-cutting options.
The framework includes protecting the Singaporean core of the workforce.
In such uncertain times, what can you do if you are one of those retrenched?
1. Look for a New Job
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile
Write specific CVs for specific roles
This is a point that seems to be overlooked by many when they choose to use a generic or template CV for every single role applied. Take time to understand the Job Description of each role that you apply for, and choose to highlight the skills that are especially relevant to the role in your CV. Remember, the CV tells the recruiter why they should even invite you down for the interview in the first place and it helps to make every word count.
Search for job vacancies
Even though it may be effective to use popular job search sites like jobscentral, jobstreet and glassdoor consider visiting Workforce Singapore (WSG) as well. The site provides valuable resources such as mid-career pathway programmes, workshops and career guidance, on top of the usual job openings and listings. This opens up more opportunities that value-adds to the job searching journey.
Look out for upcoming job fairs
NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and WSG have ramped up career fairs during these unprecedented times.
2. Get Financial Assistance
Living from paycheque to paycheque?
If you are facing financial difficulties, there are several avenues you can reach out to:
SIRS helps Singaporean SEPs with less means tide over this period of extraordinary economic uncertainty.
Meant for Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents who are involuntarily unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination; involuntarily placed on no-pay leave (NPL) for at least three consecutive months; or presently experiencing a reduced monthly salary of at least 30 per cent as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19.
3. Attend training and re-skilling
You can consider getting help or searching for courses through:
Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
SGUnited Skills (SGUS)
4. Seek Career Guidance
If you need any help from assessing your career path to arranging for a one-to-one session with a career coach, you can seek advice at: e2i’s Meet-A-Coach
Career Pit Stop
Take a career health check by visiting this site.
Developed by e2i, Career Pit Stop allows you to be aware of your strength and weakness in areas such as performance, influence, network and clarity.
e2i’s Employability Workshops
