To say that 2020 is devastating and frustrating is an understatement. Due to the pandemic, the whole world seemed to shut down. Many countries are in lockdown, and the movement of the people is very limited. Singapore, despite being one of the countries with a stable economy, is not exempted from all these effects in the business sector. As of the third quarter of 2020, there are 9120 employees that are retrenched from their jobs. This number is so much higher compared to last year, during the same period.

Losing a job is never easy. Considering that there is a pandemic, it is difficult not to have a source of income during this time. Not having a job can get you into overthinking about things, worrying about your future as well as the future of your family. This can trigger anxiety and depression. To keep your mental health on point, here are some tips that you can do to cope with the stress that retrenchment brings.

Try to keep a positive attitude despite unemployment
Unemployment can give you a lot of time on hand. It is up to you if you want to look for a job immediately. But maybe you want to take a sabbatical for a while. Take this time to reflect. And do the things that you have been wanting to do. Of course, you have to consider other things such as family to support and how it is financially possible for you to do a sabbatical. The main point is, don’t let negative thoughts enter your mind. Keep yourself busy with other things. An idle mind will greatly affect your thought and will therefore affect your attitude.

Reach out for support
There is no shame in asking for support if you really need it. There are union groups that you can join so you can be coached into finding a career path that will work for you. In Singapore, there is an institute called Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), which is a union with coaches that advise you on how you can have leverage from other Singaporeans in finding a job. There are many programs and camps that you can join in e2i that can help you such as Executive Workshop/Employability Camp. These camps or programs aim to provide joiners with the right attitude and skills toward job search.

Continue to elevate your skills and pay it forward.
Getting hired for another job is not the end of the journey. You will always have to elevate your skill and learn things that will help you improve. By keeping your skills updated, you can also help others that are also struggling. Now, you can share your experiences and how e2i had helped you overcome job loss. Volunteering as a coach in e2i is one way to pay it forward.
To know more about e2i, you can visit their website at https://e2i.com.sg/. This site can help you through career guidance, skills upgrading, or job matching services. You can also register and volunteer as a coach or mentor for those who might need help.