This is a recent article that was written by myself...
In every recession, where retrenchment are a common news, how can the retrenched workers find job in the shortest possible time, and ensure a better employability in the long term. Switching industry maybe the solution to it, but how to ensure a successful penetration into a new industry depends on changing your mindset...
The key success to get a new job after being retrenched is to first change your mindset. Whenever a recession comes, retrenchment seems to be the major corrective actions that many corporates will adopt to keep themselves afloat. This is especially evident in the manufacturing sectors where many managers, engineers and technicians have been made redundant due to low production activities. However, despite most industries were badly affected and resort to pay cut, retrenchment as a cost cutting measure, some other industries will be actively hiring. So switching into a new industry may be the way to ensure you are able to bring the dole back home. And to achieve that, the most importantly factor is to have a shift in the mindset.
The followings are some basic steps in shifting mindset and getting yourself a new job:
1. Accept reality, and quickly get out of the depression Most people will feel traumatized when the retrenchment news is broken to them. While some simply break down and cry, others may choose to act as if nothing happens. Whatever your reaction is, make sure you spend sufficient time to accept the reality. This will help you to get out of that depression and move forward to take back control of your life.
2. Write down all your transferable skillsets. When you've written down all your valuable skillsets that you think is of value, spending sometime to think of the times when you're displaying these skillsets to overcome various obstacles. Feel the emotion, the confidence, the adrenaline rushing up to you, making you almost invincible. Amplify this feeling 10 times, 100 times to make yourself feel like you can overcome all odds. This stage is for you to gain back control and confidence, so that you can start taking charge of your life and move to where you want to go.
3. Research emerging industries and seek out which one requires your skillsets Talk to people, read the news to find out which industry is actively hiring. The newspaper and job portals will give you a good indication of it. List down which of your valuable skillsets these industries requires. Talk to the industry “insiders” or recruitment agencies on the market standard of compensation and career prospects. Choose the one industry that most require your skillsets.
4. Set a realistic expectation of salary and job title Moving into a new industry means you're not only competing with experience “insiders”, but also fresh graduates who may have a edge over you in terms of much lower salary and relevant academic knowledge. So set your expectations lower in terms of job title and salary. The salary should be slightly lower than the market standard, and sufficient for you to survive. Remember, the idea is to penetrate into the market to gain the experiences for the long term.
5. Take massive actions Start taking massive actions by submitting your resumes, talking to people who knows people in the chosen industry. At this stage, if you didn't prepare yourself with the necessary research and preparations mentioned above, you may start to get frustrated and lose your drive and confidence, which is something that is important when presenting yourself to the prospective employer.
I wish you every success in getting a new job!
To Your Success,
Allan Heng
