Jobseekers’ Diaries: Down but not out — how retrenchment taught me to be adaptable
The writer, a quality engineer, recounts his first taste of retrenchment and how he emerged from it.
As jobs are a top concern for Singaporeans in the Covid-19 crisis, TODAY’s Voices section is publishing first-hand accounts from jobseekers in which they reflect on their experiences and what keeps them going.
In this instalment of Jobseekers’ Diaries, Mr Mohd Nasir Ja’apar describes his first taste of retrenchment and how he bounced back from it.
Life had been a comfortable ride.
I enjoyed a stable income as a senior quality engineer at a multinational oil and gas company.
I was able to support my elderly parents and older sister who live with me.
My parents enjoy travelling to see the world, but owing to poor health, this became a challenge. We then switched to frequent luxury staycations to relive the holiday feel.
This was until Covid-19 came and caused my life to take a drastic turn in April.
My job of five-and-a-half years was made redundant.
I got my first taste of retrenchment.
I vividly recall the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as if it happened yesterday.
As the retrenchment package was explained to me, my mind was desperately racing with thoughts on how I would face my family and friends.
Being “unwanted” was how I felt. It did not take me long to realise, too, that I needed to push aside my hobby of splurging on electronic gadgets.
After settling down, I was ready to push on.
After all, I had been headhunted previously and did not face many problems securing another job.
Unfortunately, the optimism was short-lived.
I underestimated the situation and this was to be my wake-up call.
Over four months, I submitted more than 60 applications across the pharmaceutical, chemicals, semiconductor and other sectors.
I thought that my work experience would be valuable to prospective employers.
But it was not so. I hardly received replies, and even when I did, it was to tell me that my application was unsuccessful.
I was worried if I could re-enter the workforce.
Not knowing what to do, I had reached out to Workforce Singapore’s Careers Connect centre in May for help.
Career coach Adora reviewed my resume and gave me pointers on customising it for different jobs.
She later connected me with her colleague who works with employers that were hiring.
On Aug 6, I was called for an interview with 3D Metalforge, a firm specialising in additive manufacturing.
The fear of being rejected lingered as this was a new sector to me.
To my pleasant surprise, the company offered me a senior quality engineer position three days after the interview.
After months on the job hunt, this felt surreal to me.
I am now undergoing a six-month professional conversion programme, which helps mid-career switchers like me move into another industry.
I could not be more grateful for the help that I received throughout this journey.
There is no playbook to describe your feelings when such a crisis befalls you.
This period has taught me valuable life lessons. For one, choosing to stay in your comfort zone will not increase your value.
Continuous learning is crucial to staying relevant.
We are no longer in a world of “built to last”; we need to “build to adapt”.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Mr Mohd Nasir Ja’apar, 47, is a senior quality engineer at 3D Metalforge, a company that deals in additive manufacturing. Before that, he was a senior quality engineer in the oil and gas industry.
If you are a jobseeker with a compelling story or know someone who wishes to contribute to this series, write to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.
