Jobseekers’ Diaries: I was anxious and lost, but didn’t give up on my interest in Japanese cooking

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 Kelvin Lim says he was anxious and lost when his job hunt did not bear fruit, but he refused to let disappointment get in the way.   

It was painful to learn that I would lose my job when the restaurant that I worked for closed in December last year.

It was not easy looking for a new job as a kitchen crew member.

As I struggled to find a job, I felt anxious and lost as I am the breadwinner in the family.

My father is in a nursing home, and my sister battles depression and can chalk up quite a bit in medical bills. I am single, and support my father and sister financially.  

When I was job hunting, I was worried that I would not be able to sustain the family’s bills and would not have enough to allow my sister to continue on her road to recovery.

Previously, I tried applying for roles in larger food-and-beverage chains, but the salary, job scope and staff benefits did not suit my needs.

My passion lies in preparing Japanese cuisine, which some of the larger food-and-beverage chains do not provide.

I applied for several openings that I felt were in line with my interests, but they did not bear fruit.

When I received rejections from employers, I turned my disappointment into motivation to upgrade myself.

I signed up with Allspice Institute to do a Japanese culinary course that I have almost finished. And last year, I completed a leadership and people management course.

Eventually, I was lucky enough to land a job at Sushi Express.

With the help of Workforce Singapore’s Careers Connect centre, I got this job that allows me to hone my skills in an area that I am passionate about and be better equipped for the culinary industry.

Judy, my career coach, gave me continuous encouragement and helped me prepare for interviews.

My sister can now continue her treatment and has made progress in overcoming her illness. The hospital’s staff members have also been actively helping my sister find a suitable job, so that she can slowly return to the workforce.

With all the support that I am getting, I can focus on my career at Sushi Express, giving it my best shot and continuously learning new skills in the kitchen.

As much as I have the capabilities to run the kitchen on my own, there is still room for improvement in my preparation speed and I am making progress.

My goal at Sushi Express is to apply the leadership and people management skills I have picked up and rise through the ranks.

The journey has been tough, but I take heart from the fact that I was never alone in this journey and appreciate the support that I received along the way. 

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Mr Kelvin Lim, 48, is an outlet staff member at Sushi Express. After two months on the job hunt, he approached Workforce Singapore’s Careers Connect in February for career help. He was employed in April.

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.