The following is a personal account by Mr Gilbert Goh. The article was first published in the Straits Times forum page in October 2008. We thank Mr Goh for giving us the permission to re-publish it here. We hope that the article will help those who are facing or who will face unemployment in the coming months. If you’ve had similar experiences or have expertise in helping people in such situations, please let us know. TOC will provide the space for you to share or help those in need. (Special thanks to Mr Goh for the suggestion). Thanks!
Gilbert Goh
I COUNT myself lucky to have survived two tough years of unemployment with mounting financial problems during the period after 9/11 right up to the Sars epidemic. My family had just returned from overseas as we were away for a year on study purposes. The situation was made worse when we decided to buy a private house burdened with a mortgage loan.
Although my wife works, it was tough to make ends meet with only one income. We also had a young daughter to raise. I faced sleepless nights trying to meet the minimum income payments for all my credit facilities (one credit card and one other credit facility) especially when the bank account dried up. There was an unforgettable day when my ATM bank account showed a balance of less than $20. The worst moments of my life came when I had to borrow cash from friends to tide over. This is when you realise who your true friends are and whether they will stand by you when you are almost down and out. To this day, I am thankful to many who helped me financially in a willing manner.
During that period, I hovered between desperation and panic. Naturally, relations with my wife was not the best.
After about six months of unemployment, I realised the first step was to manage my emotional health above all else. I realised that, if I could manage my emotions better and stay positive, I had a better chance of coming out of my financial crisis stronger. I also drew up a timetable so my days could pass by fruitfully. When one does not work, one has much free time to idle and often negativity floods our minds. I hope to share some personal experiences and strategies and, if possible, help some who are depressed and affected by the current financial crisis. I dare not say these strategies are surefire solutions but at least they can provide hope to the depressed and fuel optimism in those who are unemployed. For readers who are still employed and unaffected, it is a good time to prepare for retrenchment as it will come like a thief without any warning. When unemployment hits, we may be too shocked to face up to it.
- Share your tensions and frustrations with your family. Our loved ones are the closest to us and they yearn to share in our happy and sad moments. By cutting them out of our darkest moments, we deny them a chance to support and help us. Though my wife did not speak to me much during that tough period, her unwavering support and toughness to hang in there with me helped me to tide through that difficult period.
- Seek help if things are too overwhelming. I was fortunate to have many good friends and a good support group in a church that met weekly. They gave me the platform to raise my needs and shared my frustrations. It was a relief for me to know that people cared how I felt. It would be disastrous to face unemployment alone. So learn to share and be humble.
- Network more than ever. Many jobseekers stayed at home due more to depression than anything else. Like many, I sent e-mail messages to prospective employers and attended countless interviews, to no avail. Much later, I managed to secure a part-time job through a meeting with a long-lost friend. Although it paid only $6.50 an hour, finally I was relieved to know there was income coming in after 20 months of unemployment. More important, my self-esteem was boosted by the part-time work. That experience helped me land a full-time job six months later. To this day, I am eternally grateful to the friend who recommended me. My life turned around after that. So don’t stay at home – go out and move around. Opportunities are out there, but if we stay at home we cannot seize them.
- Think positive. This is easier said than done, but very important for one to stay on top of the situation. I read a lot of motivation books during that period, so my mind was full of positive thoughts. This was often done immediately after I woke and right before I slept. This helped me start and end the day with the right frame of mind. If not, our mind is always filled with negative and depressing thoughts.
- Indulge in physical activities. I turned to jogging daily more to occupy my ample free time than anything else. However, I discovered after every run I felt light hearted and positive about my situation. My mind was also free when I jogged and it was very therapautic. I later realised that, when one exercises, feel-good chemicals called endorphins are released and this help one stay calm and relaxed. I still run regularly and have taken part in the annual Standard Chartered Marathon.
- Spend time with your loved ones. I began to spend a lot of time with my mother and daughter, who stay at home. This not only took a lot of the free time I had but also allowed to indulge in meaningful activity. I must say my mother remained the most influential person during that dark period, allowing me to recover fully.
- Face the situation bravely. I learnt to face relatives and friends when I met them. It was sometimes difficult as I had difficulty explaining why I was still unemployed after so many months. It could even be depressing if questions were raised insensitively. So I prepared my answers before I met relatives and friends in social gatherings so I would not be caught unprepared. I also realised that such meetings can be used for networking purposes.
I hope this will help many who may be laid off in the coming months. Remember the world will not end and you are not alone. The dark moments will pass you by but the important thing is to hang in there and face up to challenges. What does not kill you will make you stronger. You will end up stronger mentally than before when you are baptised in the fiery fire of unemployment.
——–
Author’s note:
I have worked among the unemployed counselling and helping many jobless workers while working as a Career Consultant from 2005 to 2007 at the Community Development Centre (CDC). Perhaps my long stint of unemployment has allowed me to empathsize with this group of people who felt stressed from the ill effects of unemployment.
For those who are currently unemployed due to retrenchment, my advice to you is not to give up and hang in there. Never lose hope and seek help if you think that the situation is too overwhelming for you to handle. There are many family service centres around the country that provide almost free counselling sessions.
If you need further help, you can email me at goh_gilbert@yahoo.com. I can provide a quiet listening ear here. Remember that there will be light at the end of the tunnel, we only need to be patient.
———–
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Good afternoon lecturer # 36
Re: Darkness. Lecturer, you probably stumbled on one of their regular read club meetings; frankly speaking it’s a skin crawling affair; what many people don’t seem to realize is Darkness also writes sappy love stories that he sells it in the internet; he seems to have a quite a big following especially in Hong Kong around 30k to 40k. So from time to time, the sci-fi part and the love story part just mashes together and creates a whole lot of confusion.
Re: Russia. I used to be the go between i.e brotherhood rep for the mercantile space guild for the mineral rich planet of Sardonyx. For some strange reason, the vast majority of gamers in that sector seem to be only Russians; it’s a mining economy; they mine stuff and they sell it in ebay. My job there was to advise on production; so if the price goes down; I recommend a hold; if it goes up; I ram up production.
One thing about being a liaison officer is it’s a bit like being a regular in a drink hole; once everyone gets to know you; a relationship forms. So I got to know many Russians personally; eventually they come here or you go over there and we met up and things just takes off from there – the way I figure; China is already top heavy and saturated and as the economic crisis cuts deeper into the marrow; the competition there is going to ratchet up with the hongkies and the Taiwanese undercutting price / profit further; I don’t see any future there unless you want to swim in ever decreasing circles – its no good.
The way I see Russia is no one really wants to go there, unless they have too, as law and order is an issue and most people only think about the mafia whenever the topic of business crops up; but what most people don’t realize is Russia is an oil and gas producer; and that means they have money, loads of it.
The thing about Russia is it’s too big a country to generalize; I mean if you go to places like Moscow or St.Peterburg; then agreed, business opportunities is practically zero unless you have billions like Temasek; but if one is prepared to travel inland to the Caucasus and beyond; there is really a whole lot of opportunity especially in the import and export sector; Russia is good, its the new frontier.
There’s where I’ve stake my flag and hopefully make a meal out of it. The way I see it, I’ve got nothing to lose.
SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)
singaporedaddy,
wish you success and do enjoy your stay in Russia.
Good luck
Sugardaddy:
Havent being to Russia yet. Must be a cold and beautiful country.
If you have the connection and the aspiration go for it.
The time now is to set the sail flagging elsewhere especially in such difficult time. It will be tough to get any regular job going and even if you get one, the pay may be miserable as employers will take the opportunity to slash salary.
Take care and don’t forget us in TOC if you have make your millions in Russian oil!
Before you head off to Russia, here’s a famous line used by Ronald Reagan when he was dealing with the Soviets during the peak of Cold War :
“Trust. But verify”
After all these years, these immortal words couldn’t be more true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsCMJeov5IA
Dont sweat the small stuff – apart from minor problems like the above, everything else is well under control – I dont expect any problems.
Only if I return back to sg by cargo plane, just tell my parents that I want my ashes to be strewn in bedok jetty.
Thanks all
SD (Internet liaison officer of the brotherhood)
For your information, the UK has reduced VAT from 17.5 to 15%. The first in their history. – Daniel (#44)
I am based in the UK at the moment. The best thing is that many retail shops here did not raise their pre-VAT prices to offset the reduction in VAT. There is common decency such that nobody is profiteering from the drop in VAT.
Hi All,
Some of you have emailed me and I tried my best to help.
I guess the more urgent appeal here is for some form of financial aid and job referral.
For those who need some form of urgent emergency funds, Faith Community Baptist Church has collected about $250,000 as their Love Fund collection to be dispensed to those who are needy and down. Do email me at goh_gilbert@yahoo.com if you need more information on these funds. For your info, CDCs and other self-help groups such as CDAC, Mendaki and SINDA will provide some form of assistance provided you meet certain requirement.
Family service centres (FSC) such as Rotary FSC do have some form of financial assistance plus counselling support as the FSC is supported by the wealth Rotary Club. other FSCs may have some form of financial assistance but limited in form.
I have some job referral for those who are out of work. Of course, there is no guarantee as suitability and ability to do the job are basic requirement. Do email me if you need them.
For the really down and out, if you need meals, there are several lodges and templs that provide free meals without any questions asked on a daily basis.
If you do need shelter on a temporary basis you can email me too. I see if some shelters are available but frankly these are more for battered wives and their children. Men have real difficulty getting any form of free shelter in our country.
Hope this help some of you here. Remember never give up on yourself and we are in this together. There is life after retrenchment. I knew it as I have been there before.
thanks Gilbert. I am very happy to see that such active citzenry is still alive and well.. and a little ashamed I haven’t done much to contribute.
Referring to previous entry.. yes, would be a good idea to hook up with you guys like patriot and singaporedaddy etc.
59) Zefly:
Hi I don’t mind meeting up with you guys but I am now in Sydney. I should be back home on 20 Dec. If you dont mind, we can still meet up next month if possible.
Thanks.
58) Gilbert Goh
You’re the best. Hats off, you’re the best – and I mean it from the bottom of my heart- the gold standard – this is what I mean by no BS, rubber met the road solutions, that will really go a long way to cut the pain for some who may be suffering in such times.
You know what I am meeting up with the ASDF (ruling council of the brotherhood / vollariane and gang) this saturday for a spot of cycling – and I am going to propose to them to set up a food stall. Because we have sinking fund that did quiet well actually despite this crisis, where ANYONE can come and eat – and it will operate on a honor system, thats to say, you can put in ANY amount you want in box (no questions asked) – you know the brotherhood gets anon donations from all sorts of folk and I am going to recommend that they get some of darkness recipes and ram up on more internet donations / we happen to have the largest stockpiles of sardonyx crystals (this is like our reserves) which are used to power spaceships and I going to recommend that some of this will be released by the mercantile guild to the international market to fund this free food program – it would probably be chap fun style or something like that.
That’s what I will do for Gilbert. You’ve shown us all the way bro. Way to go. That’s what I call real leadership. Thx toc for hosting this. This goes right down to where it really matters – the heart.
This will go a long way to bring a glimmer of light to many this xmas
SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)
Hi Gilbert,
Thanks for sharing your experience with the public. I have also been retrenched recently. I am not too bothered by the retrenchment as I can understand from the company standpoint that this, perhaps, is the only way to save the company. I am also not too bothered by the retrenchment as many of my colleagues, who are star performers, were also retrenched. Hence, I didn’t feel so lonely or outcast.
In general, I am not too bothered by being “out of job” but rather, the way it was “executed” by my company. They have done it to me in a cruel and humilating way, in that I probably won’t be able to hold my head up high in front of my colleagues in the future when I see them outside. What DBS has done is nothing compared to what I have personally gone through.
I want to be clear is that I am not a poor perfomer. I have been appraised as “exceed expectations” for the past 2 years.
Do you know of any free legal consulation who can advise on my rights?
I apologise if this is “out of topic” but you seem rather helpful and understanding….so perhaps you may have some tips for me?
Singaporedaddy:-
Hi you are making me embarassed as I am merely doing what I can.
The assistance rendered is within my disposal and with the email/internet system now so vibrant, things can get done by the push of some keyboards.
In fact, TOC can do more and readers here can contribute what they can – job referrals, food parcels, NTUC coupons, bill payment, etc to the TOC office. Yes it is tedious and sometimes logistically overwhelming, but the impact it creates on the population will be very positive and stirring. Tough times need some tough people to do tough things.
Some I know will go out of cash and struggle with daily expenses. I used to eat bread for many days when I seriously ran out of cash on some bad days during that dark period. So I know the feeling of not having cash on hand to buy food. Nevertheless, behind the back of my mind, I knew that these bad days will not last forever as my spirit is still intact. Though my body may be weakened my spirit stayed strong nonetheless.
Some will also have no power in their homes as they struggled with SP bills. After three months of complete non-payment, SP will first cut the power then slowly the water (limited to a trickle). I have personally witnessed this in many of our beautiful HDB homes when I worked as a social worker in Woodlands area. It is not a sight for the weak hearted.
I hope as this crisis overtakes us, our people will stay strong and also help those who are weak and in need. Our govt I feel did not really reach down to the level of be able to help everyone. Sometimes, the citizens have to do their part in cultivating a helpful culture so that we are an inclusive society.
I like your idea of setting up a food stall for the poor if possible. They can go there if they need some free food or it can be heavily subsidised. Temples do give free food but some are located far away. Thanks and I hope that you are inspired to do more for the poor and needy in this tough time.
Fairplay:-
Frankly based on what you said I did not see how the retrenchment was carried out unethically. I may need more details and if you don’t mind you can email me at goh_gilbert@yahoo.com. I am no legal guru here but i can share some of my viewpoints with you.
Retrenchment always affects the self worth of a person however nicely it is carried out by the bosses.As you were retrenched together with other staff instead of being singled out, I guess the pain is lessened somewhat.
The key thing here is to realise that it is not because of your performance that you were retrenched but that it was a business decision. Unless your bosses have told you otherwise, I feel that you should move on with your life.
Start to plan ahead what you want to do with the next phase of your life. If you dwelled too much on getting back at your company, it may be difficult to carry on smoothly later on. Of course, if there are issues that plagued you which I don’t know here, you can email me as mentioned. I see how I can help you to move on here.
You can go to this fantastic website for job seekers – http://www.jobhuntersbible.com. There are some fantastic articles and materials for the job seekers. Go check it out.
Take care and all the best. Email me so I can help you further.
As being in the same shoe and being jobless is what an embarrassment a man will face in his family after the unemployment becomes from days to weeks to months. Socially, relatives and friends will avoid and its very natural that someone at this stage will look forward to help.
However, with the upgrading programmes around the worst thing is that employement is still a problem to those 40 years and above. Companies are looking for someone accepting low pay and more jobs for their cost savings.
Anyway, some of the problem that I have solve during my housing issue was with the hope programme that was very helpful with a $ 50K C.P.F top-up for my wife undergoing a ligation.
Still jobless after upgraded myself in Dip, in logistics management and advance diploma in supply chain management. Northwest CDC assisted with more courses like certified service professional, and basic security and supervisor and still finding a job is a problem.
Anyway, upgrading is good but how far is that going to help I don’t know.
To many out there accept what is offered and continue looking for better jobs when it comes. Sometimes its better half a loaf a bread than none.
Its also very worrying even with job now. I took up a couple of credit facilities, knowing them through all the huge advertisements. Now I find that its a trap. A trap that wraps around you paying countless interests.
Be prudent, especially when times like this. Gentle reminder. Dont drink and punt like theres no tommorrow.
hi Gilbert, thanks for sharing something as personal as this. I’m sure many have been blessed by your sharing, tips, optimism and all. Keep up what you are doing.
Like you, I’m in my 40s, a father of 2 young girls, and I also run in the SC marathon annually.
For a period of a few months in 2005, I was jobless. Looking for a job in middle age wasn’t exactly plain-sailing. To make things worse, I’m deaf.
I found myself doing alot of soul-searching during that time. I was already a volunteer with a VWO before this unemployment came along. When I subsequently found a job, it only strengthened my resolve to do more for the underprivileged. It was then that I resigned to join a VWO fulltime and I’ve never looked back since.
Though I’m still drawing significantly less than what I used to draw in 2005, my life has been more fruitful in many ways and I’m thankful for that. I was able to do more volunteer work and organise a couple of major campaigns in the last few years to help the deaf deal with employment and education issues. At the same time, I could spend more time with my family and friends. I’ve become a listening ear (an irony, considering my deafness) to my friends, siblings and loved ones. While my more “successful” cousins and siblings are busy with work and life, I’m the only free guy with a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. Although I don’t have much money to offer to persons in need, I often find myself helping to link them up with job opportunities, sources of help and funding, etc.
To those who have been adversely affected by the financial and economic crises, I know it’s not easy and you are in my prayers. If you do need some practical help other than those Gilbert has suggested, we can try to arrange for you to contact me. Not sure if TOC would allow me to post my email here
Hi logicalman,
We’ve provided a special section on TOC for everyone to share their views on the recession and unemployment. Please see “Beating The Recession – Together” on the left hand panel of this website.
Alternatively, drop us an email at theonlinecitizen@gmail.com .
Thanks.
Andrew Loh
logicalman,
I’ve just dropped you an email.. :)
Andrew
Hi Friends;
tonight I am likely going to hit a hornets’ nest. But, think carefully and deeply before putting that venom into me.
I am going to go against convention to say the followings:
The World is crazy and vicious because there are too many educated rascals, these rascals gave lots and lots of misinformations. They manipulate, exploit and bully the weaks, put tons of misleading and inaccurate shit statistics, made and make stupid forecasts like soothsayers and clairvoyants. And the worst amongst them, leaders that misled(lead) their subjects. These people deserve no pity, no help and no support, the World will be cured of malices when they are decimated.
Now, to the kind and innocent; be circumspect and correct when being helpful.
Give helps directly to those that need them, not through a second party, ensure that YOU DO NOT PERPETUATE ANOTHER VICIOUS CYCLE WITH YOUR CHARITIES.
For decades, I have been calling Singaporeans not to donate to Charity Organizations, not that I suspect the charity organizations will embezzle the donations or misuse the donated funds, though it happened. My rationale is that the welfares and wellbeings of the people and the state are the PRIMARY DUTY of any regime anywhere. When the people take upon themselves to do the duties of the Rulers, they(people) upset the arrangement of governances.
We have got citizens volunteering themselves to patrol their estates because of rising theft, molestation and other crimes, here again the people are making enforcement and prevention of crimes their own duties. What are our Authorities for? What are enforcement officers paid to do?
Citizens must bear in mind not to be too kind and loving like a spoiling mother, YOU ARE LIKELY TO SPOIL YOUR CHILD(REN). We have spoilt our leaders, too many people have taken upon themselves to do their(leaders) duties.
Help, help, help by all means, but also know your helpings do not get yourself and others into a vicious cycle that get more vicious. Do not turn ourselves into frogs swimming in boiling pot. Always bear in mind there are always people ever ready to exploit, to pounce on any opportunity to manipulate on the weaknesses of others. Also remember that not everyone in trouble naturally deserve sympathy, some need reprimand and punishment.
Why do a First World(Singapore) Countrys’ Citizens in doldrum now? Because we have mismanaged ourselves by allowing others to manipulate and exploit us to no end without knowing, how else do we call ourselves sheeples?
Lest there are people who think I am selfish, let me say that I am a simple folk with no ambition, unentreprising, lowly educated and is a typical ‘ah Q’, in Hong Kong they called ‘ah Qzan’ and the English say ‘Forest Gump’. Worked as menial worker most of the time, construction labourer, lorry and bus driver, road sweeper, security guard, retail salesman and loafing in between jobs. What’s my point here? Do any work to survive! Is it so easy? No !!! But, when it comes to survival, do your best.
Like many said here, one must have good relationships with kins, friends, co-workers, superiors and subordinates, they will come and help and likewise You must help them. In this way, You can collectively overcome your personal problems and the problems of the others. Yes, there are of course still people who needed to be help, I will repeat here, help them personally and directly, NOT THROUGH A SECOND OR WORSE THIRD PARTY. There is no need for anyone to purposely look for people to help because if You help those You around, You have fulfilled certain duty and You can’t be helping the whole World. We have to let others, especially our Rulers, to do their FUNDAMENTAL/PRIMARY DUTY.
Nevertheless, I must say to Gilbert Goh; I must accord You the greatest respect for your article will sooth and encourage many in despair and your helps will definitely be appreciated.
patriot
To Zefly(aka Joshua Chiang);
redbean and I meeting up for coffee, can we invite You?
Please forward your reply to redbean(Blogger of My Singapore News) at redbeansg@yahoo.com.
Hope to see You in our next meet.
patriot
Hi N Veerasamy,
Hi I know your sentiments about upgrading as it is as if after you get the cert what next?
The govt has being encouraging all kinds of upgrading courses but like you, I am sceptical about one getting employment after that.
I guess the important thing is whether one knows where the vacancies are in the job market before embarking on any upgrading courses. Of course, sometimes this is easier say than done.
The social service sector always has quite alot of vacancies due to it’s relatively low pay and hectic work pace due to it’s stressful job nature. If you don’t mind, let me know if you are keen so I can assist you further here. The job however does need one to be passionate about it as it involves alot of heart rather than the mind. But the job satisfaction is immense and that is what money can’t buy.
Some VWOs (voluntary welfare organisation) do not mind employing someone but lacking the certification. I was a social work asst working in a FSC (family service centre)and I studied PT and worked while I get my diploma in counselling. Do email me at goh_gilbert@yahoo.com if you need further info on this. I see how I can link you up with some welfare centres for possible employment. This of course depends alot with the person interviewing you.
The teaching profession also needs alot of PT teachers for the private school market. I did quite alot of teaching on English to foreign students in private schools the past year. I even taught in China for a stint. You do not need a degree to teach but one does need to be slightly better in the language and some teaching experience is helpful e.g. tuition, PT teaching, etc. Do email me if you need me to help here.
I guess in this down time it is never easy to look for the right job. Several kind of work that can be readily available but temp in nature includes:
1. Telemarketing – this is one vocation that is always in need. They can either be perm or PT work. I also did a few PT work in this area and pay can either be hourly rated or monthly.
2. Home removal – this is almost recession-proof work as people want to move house anytime of the year. Pay is so so around $50 a day and the job availability can be found in paper advertisement throughout the year. It is tough work but important thing is you get paid daily.
3. Tuition – this is almost available round the year as study-hard Singaporeans sought for extra coaching especially during holidays. Again one does not really need a degree to teach in primary schools. You can email the many tution centres round the island to signal your availability. If you can find your own students if ideal. The pay is by subject and frequency.
I hope that helps you. Do let me know if you need further assistance by emailing me. All the best! Keep the chin up!
Hi Logicalman,
Welcome to the club of helping many who are jobless here.
I guess we all need to help each other as much as we can as Singapore enters into it’s worse recession in decades.
You must have connect with Andrew already and he will see to it how you can help here.
Like you, I did alot of soul searching during my long periof of unemployment and chose social service as I was helping out in my church all along as a volunteer.
I am glad that you have taken this path on the helping profession and it is an honourable one. There is immense work satisfaction.
Many here who are jobless can take this opportunity to reflect on what we really want for the latter part of our life. Some may want to take this chance to do something that we really want but never could due to our crappy job that pays the bills. People like Singaporedaddy who all along wants to do some business in Russia can now go and realise his dream after being retrenched. So there is something positive out of retrenchment as we can reflect and take action on our dream which we all along could only fantasize.
Dick Bolles in his book “What colour is your parachute” – a must-read solid job search manual book, asked many who are jobless to go and search for our life calling. Many of us have certain gifts and talents and inclination for certain vocation. Like Logicalman here, he has somehow found his goal in life by embarking on what interests him all along. Sometimes, we go for a job that pays well when we can actually do something that we like and desire. Work becomes less of a chore but more of fulfilling one’s mission in life.
As many of us here may be retrenched or facing the axe soon, it is timely to reflect and ask orselves what do we really want out of our life? Do we then have the skills and talents to carry out the job? If not, we can embark on some training courses so that we are equipped for the vocation we desire. There is thus some form of fulfilling one’s life mission.
Thanks again Logicalman for your encouraging piece. It sure make my day here.
hi Gilbert, thanks for your word of encouragement. I’ll get in touch with Andrew to discuss further how I can help. I must say that helping one another has that rich feeling that CPF statements cannot give.
While working part time as a population census taker, I had the privilege of meeting a former principal of ACS. He shared with me a simple truth that remained firmly etched in my mind. He said, “Health is wealth. Don’t spend your health chasing wealth, because by the time you have wealth, you have lost your health.”
A book that changed my focus several years back was “Half-time” by Bob Buford. It deals with the 2nd half of one’s life. I could go with the flow, continue in my challenging and satisfying job with a top corporation, bring home the dough, enjoy some weekend sports, raise my kids and mind my own business, but that sounded all too hollow to me. It might be the practical thing to do, but will I recall this with fond memories on my death bed, or would something more meaningful be in order? Would I have made any difference as a regular indistinguishable corporate guy?
I chose the meaningful option. Though I spend 3 hours commuting by bus and trains daily for the last few years and I found much more time to reflect, plan and refresh myself for each day. I find myself more patient and learning to see things from different perspectives, instead of making curt statements like “we don’t grandstand”.
Like what Gilbert says, reflect at every opportunity. We’ll see clearly to make the right decisions instead of just moving along like everyone else or making simplistic decisions based on one dimension (think IR).
Its fantastic to see an oasis where people can come together to seek solace and respite. This is especially so in Singapore where nothing is ever free and everything has a price tag on.
I can understand some sentiments here, like N Veerasamy, logicalman, patriot et al. What I dont understand is why someone like singaporedaddy, who seems to be quiet an intelligent and resource chap even wants to go to a place like russia.
That I cannot understand. nevertheless to each his own :)
From 1999 till the early part of this decade I suffered unnecessary retrenchments
I retrained using my own money but this was of no use.
Often you are told that you are too old for the job.
MOM officilas are equally useless in helping you with anything.
So in 2004, I left Singapore leaving behind my wife and two small children
I took the biggest gamble of my life by going far away and trying for a job.
After five months I got one based entirely on what I knew not who I knew or how old I was.
After settling down here, my wife and children have since joined me.
I could not have asked for a more peaceful life.
Spending time with your family is more important here not going home at 10 pm or coming to work on the weekends.
MIcromanagement of your sub-ordinates is not welcome but owning up to your mistakes and proactive attitiudes are welcome
I often think about my home country and when I could go back.
But another economic recession has taken place.
More wealth belonging to the people have been lost by so called brilliant scholars.
Which means only one thing, I could think about Singapore but never think about going back.
Laniaz
Ya I can understand your sentiments. I too live abroad now and though my heart is with my country I really doubt that I really like the pace and culture there.
We need to work very hard (not that I am lazy) but I feel that there is no balance in SIngapore. We all overworked and became very materialistic due to a very goal-oriented society. We are also selfish and self-centred.
Our marraiges break up easily due to the long hours we spent at work and the stress we carried to our homes.
You are right also to say that we have a certain bias against age when we employ. Frankly, something is very wrong with our employment practices and this can’t go on forever. We have wages that do not commensurate with out experience and skills.
It is high time that we have some form of minimum wage system like Australia or US. Our govt is geared towards protecting employers so that their operating cost is lowered. The hiring of FTs also does not help the siutation as wages are constantly being depressed by foreigners who are willing to work at lower wages.
All the best to you in wherever you are. Though you are abroad, do not stop loving your country.
I can see clearly that everyone have the view about Singapore employment system. I also noted that many will be falling into the bankrutpcy title and their employment status will be a barrier to them, why? because employer have this statement with them, ‘Are you an undischarged bankrupt or have you ever been a bankrupt’ ? such clauses will not permit anyone even if he has listen to the government to upgrade himself and therefore I personally object to such clauses as the job description does not involve money transactions and why such clauses? If that were to be a bank perhaps its an important question. What is describe here is that people can do business / invest in Singapore but should not become a bankrupt, which the punishment is jobless situation. I have contested this issues with the government M.O.M but they don’t care. What’s the used of having a website like reach when feedback like this cannot reach attended at all?
lecturer,
Russia is a very nice place. I’ve been there at least 3 times and its good everytime, even when its -30 in winter, its good.
SD
78) Hi Veerasamy
Ya it is true that sometimes our govt is abit sticky and rigid with rules. Our employment act is also needs alot of revamping due to it’s pro-employer policy.
It is no wonder that every year tens of thousands of Singaporeans are leaving our country as if our country is a very lousy place to live in. So many of my friends have asked me how can they get a work permit or PR in Australia. Mind you, these are people who are already working in decent jobs and certainly have a place in society. So it is quite shocking for me.
I am unsure whether the grass is always greener elsewhere. There are the intense adjustment period (can be betwwen 12 to 30 months) and you miss home and friends. SO i go back regularly to visit my mum and friends. The regular haunts do make me yearn for them when I am abroad.
I wish you all the best and take good care of your family.
N Veerasamy,
You know this may sound crazy, but if its any help, it may fly – in russia, it doesnt matter whether you are declared a bankrupt – you see the laws there are pretty elastic – so you may want to consider that is your next port of call.
Dont shoot me, I am just trying to be helpful
PS: lecturer are you there? Yooooooooooooh! LOL
SD
78) N Veerasamy on November 27th, 2008 7.48 pm
If you tell that your story to the many foreigners here. They will just laugh at it. Yet we need foreigners here as educated to us by the higher-than-thou talent.
Veerasamy, those people you are arguing with are mechanical devices being programmed with outdated paradigm which unfortunately is still running unless and until one fine day they are being fed with new programme instructions. To put in it bluntly, they are being rewarded and compensated for sticking to rules and regulations.
@78) N Veerasamy
Welcome to Singapore, where citizen’s feedback rarely matters. The website? Oh its for good looks. :)
81)Sugardaddy
What can you do in Russia?
Business? But what kind?
Good Afternoon Gilbert,
It would be my pleasure. Only I really dont know where to begin. You see Russia is not like China – for one it defies generalization. I guess if one really wants to glean out business opportunities there; then a bit of leg work would certainly come in handy and networking is really a must; for example; I happen to know a Malaysian and Singaporean based in the Ukraine who actually deal in second hand tractor parts; they seem to buy it by the kilogramme and resell it to the gulf states and India for a hefty profit; then there is another chappy I happen to know who deals with LPG kits that I believe he gets them from Australia or Germany and he is reselling them to Georgia and the Balkan states.
So if you really patch it all up Gilbert its really horses for courses; but I dont really recommend anything capital intensive in Russia; its just too risky and we are not only talking financial risk here but also legal blind spots that you need to be so open minded abt your brains are literally failing out; the law in Russia is in a mess; that always needs to be borned in mind – so the risk veers to the moderate to high.
But anything where the buyer is able to come up with a LC (Letter of credit) that can be factored locally or in any part of the western hemisphere, I guess is a good model.
I hope that points the way; thanks for asking Gilbert and I wish you luck.
SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)
Another area that is good to go based on my research is commodity based transactional trading (CT) – now I know this sounds like something straight out of lehman bros, but its got nothing to do with paper transactions and its really just a big word to describe bartering.
That’s to say the buyer may not have hard currency, but what they do have is lets say 2 or 3 warehouses of iron billets or even a couple of warehouses of phosphates (fertilizer) – this sort of trading is especially common in the caucasus starting from Montenegro right up to Romania – where much of the central and public services have really being left to decay – now it takes a bit of luck and opportunity to set up these deals and considerably more time as here the buyer may very well be something very similar to a TC’s or maybe a consortium that is partially state funded and how it works is lets say; they may need X number of capacitors for their power grid or maybe Y quantity of co-axial cables or Z lengths of railways stock – problem: no hard currency or maybe the Russian mafia shot up the bank and everyone has decided to go on permanent sick leave or something (sounds like a good idea), but they still need the stuff to keep the state running.
Now the problem there is you cant just put a warehouse of iron billets or sacks of fertilizer into a samsonite and just step on board a plane and go; so those sort of deals require a bit of logistics and material handling knowledge etc.
Pays also if you got a bit of commando training. That always comes in handy in those parts.
But you get my drift, my hope here Gilbert is really to start the ball rolling by throwing out a few ideas that some people may want to toy with – remember everything starts small and small is always beautiful.
SD
Laniaz
Anyone who is 40 years or older is seen as an equivalent of a leper in the working world. Suddenly the company seems to think you’re irrelevant, out-of-touch, too set in your own ways, inflexible or just plain obsolete.
I’ve seen it happen right in front of my eyes during the dark days of 2002/03 when senior and respected colleagues with years of industry experience were given the big envelope. These folks literally were the founding fathers of the business and instead of tapping their knowledge to keep the company steady, they were the first to be let go. It happened then, it’s happening now. Bloody hell! I want to tell those SOBs with the MBAs out there : you may be young now, but one day you will grow old, and when that day comes for you to take the big envelope, someone will be waiting outside the door to spit on your frigging face! What goes around, comes around.
Singaporedaddy,
Thanks for your views on Russia. Ya what you are doing is highly risky both in scope and magnitude.
Maybe we all have a morbid image of Russa – cold war, standoff and secret services sure doesn’t help to sooth the frightening thoughts.
I also have thoughts of doing something on my own having work my socks off for the past 20 over years and not getting any richer or wise.
The poor employment climate in Singapore also doesn’t comfort those who are in his 40s and unprofessional (not a doctor, laywer or architect).
When you are older, employers tend to pay you lesser as you are deemed over the hill and undrivened.
Whatever you do in Russia is certainly interesting though my poor business sense could not comprehend what you are trying to do that.
Anyway, do take care and my best wishes to you in the Red Square.
Must thank Gilbert for his contribution.
But we should take up any job that comes by .Pay low oso Bo pian .
Dun insist on high salary and keep feeling that the pay is too low ..and to those Tua Or Sheng….dun gong gong wait for the reply on the previous interview..Grab any job that comes to you first.Can consider to work as cleaner,general worker or sookoority……,
We must also understand employer .Not all are doing well.
Also,try to understand and dun blame friends or relatives for not lending us money when in need becos we can never tell,not all but some of them are oso as broke as us It is just that they dun go and tell everyone how broke they are,like me.I am not jobless now…but i am not well off oso..with bank after me almost daily leh…so Bo Pian dun wait for good salary job to come.
Being unemployed for any lenght of time is distressing and staying positive is a challenge. Its take a strong character to withstand it. If not one have to develope one on the quick. Some of us had suffered unemployment during our working life and if the economy is growing, getting the next job is just a short wait. However, this recession is going to be worst and last longer. There is not many job about at the moment. Family and friends support is invaluable and if lady luck smile on us, then the job you want will turn up in most unexpected way. Staying positive and taking exercise are essential to keep one healthy. Staying at home all day is not a solution and keeping away from friends and family only make matter worst. Good advices from the author.