The report “Labour movement ‘must help workers transit into new jobs’” (April 26) mentioned the newer trends in the job market that deserve our attention and action.

These include more frequent job transitions and a greater need for retraining, skills upgrading and career guidance. I wish to elaborate on the last point. Amid these changes, it is important to improve our workers’ job-hunting skills.

As emphasised by the late career counsellor Richard Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute, job hunting is no longer an optional exercise but a survival skill.

The knowledge needed to find employment is increasingly important for workers. Writing resumes to land interviews is only one method.

Other means to increase one’s chances of getting a job include accepting part-time employment and proving one’s worth before requesting full-time employment, or seeking help from friends who can act as a middleman between the jobseeker and employer.

Another of Mr Bolles’ tips: It is easier to find jobs in smaller, newer firms than in larger, more established ones. These strategies are not mysteries but can be learnt.

We must also be aware of the psychological labour of the job hunt, which is not only about crafting a resume, going for an interview and accepting an offer.

The search often drags on longer than expected, with jobseekers questioning their abilities and worth, which makes them prone to episodes of anxiety and depression.

Additionally, matters such as salary negotiation are more often an art rather than science, sometimes even involving psychological warfare.

Career transitions are major life transitions, affecting not only our pay, but also our identity and self-worth.

We would do well to better understand what a job hunt involves and to provide greater support of all kinds for our workers.