How to deal with the looming lousy job market in Singapore

Last week I was asked by a 30 something reader who had been recently sacked (best to just use call a spade words instead of let go or retrenched etc etc) – what should I do? As there are no jobs in Singapore…I told this person that he should first think very carefully before forming his sentences…as to say there are no jobs in Singapore cannot be true. The only question is are you willing to hang up your ego and pride along with other worthless considerations like what your so called friends would think, if you decide to choose a less prestigious and glamorous job (with friends like that, you dont need enemies) That to me is the only thing that holds back a person from gainfully finding employment in Singapore. For me since I have always considered working with one’s hands a noble thing…if I cant land a job as a white collar engineer. I don’t mind turning the wheel of life as a lowly labourer. It matters little to me what others think of me….because I know who I am and I hardly need the validation and approval of others to enable me to live a purpose driven life. That is one of the advantages of being autistic….one can aim so very low and yet get plenty of praises from people.

Have I actually gone down this road before? Yes. I once worked as a lowly supervisor in a cocoa plant in Boon Lay when I first moved to Singapore circa 1999. It was a very rewarding experience. I learnt many things like how to get things done without making your boss insecure along with how to deal effectively with the 7 habits of highly ineffective folk. On other occasions just to get by as a student I worked as a cook in a Chinese take away, welder, bricklayer, grounds keeper, dog catcher, wall painter, dog trainer, dog walker, dog massager, dog psychologist, dog hotelier (9 out of 10 canines who were my guest actually told their owners to get lost when they came to pick them up), clown in a circus, parachutist, electric lines man, lost dog and cat and parrot investigator and the list goes on and on…my point is there are jobs aplenty if one hangs up the ego to dry…the only problem is are you willing to lower your expectations and forgo the prestige of the job you lost. Another thing when you’re out of a job and just living off your mom and pop like a parasite…you don’t stay the same. Trust me, I have seen a lot of inventive folk who decide to go and do that other thing like prove that they can do without the routine and discipline and money only a job can provide…some thing deep inside their core dies. I dont know what it is, but I know with more time even if they really want to get on the saddle again. They can’t.

Sorry if this comes across as tough, unremitting and even insensitive. But life is not worth living because it is hassle free and provisions plenty of time for you to sleep in all day on a weekend…if you believe that, then someone sold you a horse with a broken leg…life is worthy and valuable because it is hard as nails, it is never easy to be a father and my hat goes off to those who have to raise kids with special needs….I know because I was that boy who no one wanted to play with in the yard. At times life even demands for you to sweat blood to push yourself beyond the envelop of your faith and beliefs. The only redemption that life gives is this – despite all the slings and arrows life threw at you….you made it safely thru to the otherside. Never once complaining abt your miserable lot….that is the art of how to be a real man.