Jobseekers’ Diaries: After a futile 4-month job hunt, I have decided to return to school at 42

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 James Ching Chee Keng recounts the kindness of ex-bosses and colleagues during his job search and how he has decided to return to school as he continues looking for work.

For the better part of my career, I worked in the public and education sectors dealing with international markets.

In 18 years, I have had four employers.

I have done several stints in sales and marketing with European and American companies in Singapore and abroad. 

I progressed from leading teams to leading a business while based in China, where I was responsible for the firm’s profitability.

I returned to Singapore at the end of 2016, after spending a decade abroad, for family reasons.

At the start of this year, I joined the Singapore branch of a smaller international company, along with several new hires. I was recruited to lead the team here and grow the Asia business.

The company had huge expansion plans in Asia and in the education space, and felt my experiences overseas and in the sector would be highly relevant in supporting these plans.

But owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, my employer let go of the entire team of newcomers by the end of May, after the business tanked in the space of a few weeks in March and April.

Hence, at 42, I joined scores of newly retrenched professionals, managers, executives and technicians.

It is now September, four months into my job search. I have applied for more than 80 openings and expanded my search to slightly more junior roles than those I held before.

Recruiters would tell me: “The world has changed, James. Are you okay with a 50 per cent pay cut?”

Recruiters for more senior roles would say that I am “a couple of years’ experience shy” of what their clients are looking for.

In terms of my job search, I went first to MyCareersFuture.sg, and focused on areas relating to learning and development, marketing and business development. 

I took advice from friends and business associates, and tried to connect with my prospective employers directly via LinkedIn or get someone in my network to put in a good word.

It was heartening to know that many ex-bosses and colleagues were more than willing to speak to their hiring managers on my behalf.

Even so, I have yet to land a single interview in four months.

The lack of feedback can be maddening. Some nights, when the going got tough, I felt very sad, helpless and useless.

Wallowing in further self-pity, I even thought it was a bad decision to leave Singapore for 10 years because, hey, few employers valued that after I came home.

I have now decided to pursue a part-time Master of Business Administration degree at a business school here while I continue to look for a job.

To pay for the course and raise money for living expenses, I have to sell my flat. I am single and provide for my parents in their 80s.

I have had to move out of my comfort zone as I face the future, but at this point, I believe that furthering my studies will be a productive use of my time.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Mr James Ching Chee Keng, 42, has held roles including regional manager for Southeast Asia, general manager for China and marketing director for Asia. His last role was regional general manager for Asia. He spent the first eight years of his working life in the public service doing international business development. He has an honours degree in business administration, majoring in marketing, from the National University of Singapore.

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.