Hi Gilbert,
I found your website recently. and I think it is informative. I have some doubts, if possible please give me some advice.
It is a bit long winded though, and I probably have asked others the same questions before, but just hearing from another person’s opinion is reassuring for me.
I’m in my mid 30s and out of job since 2000 – about 10 years probably.
I’ve worked for 1 year 6 months as a technician for medical equipment supplier before, and 1 year 6 months in a logistic company.
In between the 10 years, I have taken 2 odd jobs of about 3 months each…
I’ve a Dip in electronics and computer engineering. I’m not sure what to tell you if you ask me why I’m out of job for this long.
Many people have asked me the same question – especially from the employers. I can’t get past interviews because I stammer too much here and it is difficult to justify the long absence from work.
Health wise, the doctor said I may have bouts of anxiety disorder. I’ve never told my interviewers I’ve such mental problems, but I guess some are sharp enough to see through the symptoms. The problems existed since my youth.
In the army ICT, there was a commander who likes to make fun of me, that I’m out of job for so many years..
I dreaded going back for ICT, it becomes a phobia and I’m angry and worried months before and after ICT – that I simply didn’t try to do anything in between.
As they say, this is all procrastination that it is wrong I’m blaming others for my own failings.
It was only in 2005 that I started to go to the doctors.
The drugs worked in a minor way by curbing an addiction, but I feared the side effects and it is not really effective – just minimally.
I’m out of the ICT cycle now, and I’ve stopped going to the doctors.
The ICT episode is a very disappointing experience nonetheless, makes me wonder if I should go elsewhere, like Sarawak or Sabah for long term stay.
If I don’t have attachments here in Singapore, I’ll definitely go elsewhere.
It is very disappointing as PRs and foreign workers seem to have advantages over us when it comes to employability.
Some also do not need to take care of their families, while I’ve to tend to my mum who had a minor stroke in 2003.
We are a small family, if not for assistance rendered by the extended families and friends, it would have being worst.
Currently, I’d like to work in a nursery, that is a plant nursery.
It is a joke when I tell my doctor my plans. She thought it is children nursery, and I am some kind of a crazy man.
However, I don’t fancy my prospect of being hired here. I would like to start a small business.
Unfortunately, this nursey trade is almost non-practical. Land price is just too high for the plan to take off.
If I go to our neighbouring countries, I fear other considerations.
For example, there are stories of muggings in Malaysia. and my mum and dad may need me to be around.
My immediate question is what is the prospect for someone who is out of job for too long to be rehired?
Please tell it as it is, so that I can save my effort applying at NParks for that ranger job, which I’ve done for 6 times or more. For government jobs, do I still stand a chance or virtually none ?
The application is by online application, and when it comes to references, I do not have any professional referees, usually I try to put my friends’ name, which is not that easy actually because I have alienated some.
If I leave it blank, the application probably didn’t do through.
Do you think one should follow his dream or just do what ever job is available ?
It is also about job picky-ness.
I think I’m being picky, but I’ve weakness in communication skills, and probably character flaws, some jobs are really out of my natural ability like telephone operator jobs.
If I have a driver’s job, I’m quite worried of driving into the drain.
I’ve turn down many jobs, even my sister-in-law tried to get me to do some odd job, I don’t feel like doing. I go through the online jobsites, recently most are for high level jobs.
Many a times, I browsed and found nothing suitable. When I thought I found something, I just didn’t apply.
I think I’ll stop here.
Thanks for the help. I truly appreciate this website to help fellow jobless Singaporeans.
Yours sincerely,
Samuel
^^^^^^^^
Hi Samuel,
Understand that Samuel has anxiety issue. Please see the doc and take medication. I have a cousin, a grad who used to work at a government job before his paranoia took hold of him, and he has been out of a job for 10 over years.
His resistance to see doctors, and to find a job and to hold on to it, even to a part time one (he stays for a few days then gives up, saying people talk behind his back) has led to resentment from his siblings, who end up supporting both him and the parents. It is not his fault that he is paranoid, but refusing to see the doctor to help himself is. His siblings think of him as parasites.It is not a good way to live. Help yourself. And think positively. Hope your circumstances improve.
Quote: “I’ve turn down many jobs, even my sister-in-law tried to get me to do some odd job, I don’t feel like doing. I go through the online jobsites, recently most are for high level jobs.”
So you have no experience, only a diploma, some mental problem; and you only want “high level jobs”. Hmmm, sorry, like you, I’m wondering why you’re jobless too.
Why don’t you do like Gilbert Goh here? He has hardly any experience too since he’s been unemployed for decades, only a diploma too but will only want to work in high level jobs that pay much? Just go around asking for donations like him and keep travelling to Australia back and from!
Hi Samuel,
What is your ICT commander? Let everyone knows this bastard behavior is not be tolerated!
Hi Samuel,
What is your ICT commander’s name? Let everyone knows this bastard behavior is not be tolerated!
Dear sammuel, i understand your feeling on finding work and going back to ict, i hate going back to ict too. I cant click with my team mates and sometime i get look down by them. As they each have car and have a great paying job. Sometime i wish there is no rt and ict. I am ok with ns but rt and ict i think is a burden on us.But that is another story for another day.
If i am desperate for money or sick of earning so little, i may consider working as a dish washer for 3k but i dont want to let my family and relatives look down on me. Even if i earn a lot, i will feel useless. If i am 50 year olds, i will take it without a doubt.I cant work as a delivery driver too, i dont want to disappoint my family. I study so hard to get a diploma, i should have a office jobs or maybe admin work.
Why dont you try a job that do not require experience and have training provided. I saw a ad on the newpaper recently looking for baker traineer at breadtop. It pay is from 1500-2200 i think.
Like you i am weak in communicating with people but i want to prove myself and train myself by apply for those customer care jobs like starhub. But a pity lot of peoples apply for it and i cant even get a interview as my resume is bad.
I just want to let you know that you are not alone and be postive.i am sure that you can get a job soon or later. I saw a job ad related to technician(smrt) and pc repair at simlim(pay is $1800). You can try that if you want. I wish to work as pc repair man but i do not have the skill. Be postive! as least you need not have to come back for ict. I still have 6 years! and 6years of rt!
I am a NSman (Ex-NSF)who is holding a commander appointment & I think your commander should not do that.
I agree with Gilbert to speak with your commander privately and ask him to stop taunting you regarding your prolonged unemployment.
If he do not do that, then talk to Member of Parliament to speed up the process in your unit.
1) If your commander is a NSman, request for post out of Company and/or unit.
2) If your commander is a Regular, apart from request for post out of Company and/or unit, you want an answer from SAF & how SAF is going to punish him. This is because under SAF Core Values ‘Care for Soldiers’ and one of the commander’s duty is to motivate his men under his charge which he fail to do that and affecting your performance & safety in ICT.
There are many big mouth & chatterbox type of people around us.
One of my former NSF friend was living in the same district. He was working as a private tutor & his family was running some small F&B biz. On the whole, he was quite well. He is those big mouth type of person. He is a chatterbox. We were also in the same reservist unit. So this guy also like to go around telling others the jobs that i did, my unemployment status & my futher edu problems etc.
I asked him to stop telling others about my problems & since then i decided to keep a distance away from him & not letting him knows too much about my matters.
Missed out & correction -
On the whole, he was doing quite well. He doesn’t experience any prolong unemployment, workplace conflicts & stress when one was working for others or exploitation issues etc.