Here is some useful information on job search, job application, training, financial assistance, and employment rights to help you cope with your retrenchment. All this information is crucial to your job search.
Job Search
You have not been able to find a job. What should you do? Don't panic. Assess yourself. By understanding your attitudes and interests, you will have a better idea of the job options open to you. Find out more about the job you are interested in by talking to friends, relatives or people who have the information you need. Adopt a positive and realistic attitude towards your job search. Being too choosy would restrict your job options.
How should I assess myself?
Before you start looking for a job, spend some time considering your priorities, skills, personality and values. Here are some questions that would help you in your self-assessment.
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What are you interested in? |
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What are your strengths and weaknesses? |
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What are your skills and abilities? Are they marketable? |
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What other jobs can you take on if you undergo training? |
How should I go about looking for the next job?
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If you are looking for a job in the same industry, don't just stop at the newspaper. You should also approach employment agencies, NTUC, surf Internet job sites, attend job fairs and ask your friends and relatives to keep a look out for job openings.
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If you decide to try a different type of job, gather useful information from people who work in that line. This will help you decide if the job nature and working environment are suitable for you.
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If you are 40 years and above and are willing to make a career switch, under the People for Jobs Traineeship Programme, your prospective employers can enjoy financial support during the training period determined in the Programme, to train you to meet the needs of the new job and fit into the new environment. For more information, please contact the Job Assistance Helpline at 6883 5885.
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Adopt a positive and realistic approach towards your job search. Be flexible about work place and work arrangements like shift work or working on weekends. Being too choosy would restrict your job options as well as reduce your chances for re-employment.
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You could consider part-time or even temporary employment while continuing to search for a full-time position. |
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Job Application
Attract your potential employer's attention with a well-written resume. Make sure your employer can contact you easily. If you are shortlisted, do spend time preparing for the interview. It will decide whether you get the job or not.
How do I write an effective resume?
Your resume is your passport to getting an interview with the potential employer. Do spend some time and effort to prepare a convincing one.
Here are some useful tips:
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Adopt a simple, well organised format that allows the employer to extract information quickly. |
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Put down your personal particulars and accomplishments in a comprehensive manner. |
A typical resume consists of Resume Heading (which contains your name, address and contact number), Career Objectives, Relevant Skills, Employment History, Job Descriptions, Key Accomplishments, Academic and Professional Qualifications.
How do I handle the interview?
Before the interview:
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Understand your interests, values, skills and career goals thoroughly in order to explain why you want the job and what you can offer the company. |
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Learn as much as you can about the company. |
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Practise answering commonly asked questions. |
At the interview:
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Arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview to allow yourself to settle in comfortably. |
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Be alert and responsive from the moment of your arrival through to the time you leave the place. |
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Listen attentively and be clear and concise in your answers. Avoid negative comments about your present or previous employers and colleagues. |
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Express thanks for the interviewer's time at the end of the interview. |
After the interview:
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Reflect and note what went well or badly during the interview and how you can improve your performance in future interviews. |
You could sign up for workshops on job search, resume writing and interview techniques under the Workskills Training Programme under NTUC or SPEC.
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Training Information
Learning a skill not only gives you an edge over others but also opens up a world of opportunities. The type of training depends on your job options. You may contact CareerLink@wda for more information on training courses and programmes to upgrade yourself.
What kind of training can I take up?
This depends on your career choice. You may be thinking of going back to a smilar job but would like to upgrade your skills. Or you may want to switch to a different industry and acquire a new set of skills. The major workforce training programmes you may sign up for are:
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Skills Redevelopment Programme (SRP)
The SRP provides incentives for your employers to send you for training. As this is an employer-based funding programme, you can discuss with your new employer about training that is relevant to you. If you do not have your new employer's sponsorship, you may apply for Individual Initiated Learning under the Surrogate Employer* Program (SEP) to sponsor you for such job-related training.
For more information, please visit http://www.srp.org.sg/ or contact the NTUC SRP Secretariat at 6216 9999 or via email at srp@ntuc.org.sg.
* Conditions and qualifying criteria apply.
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CRITICAL INFOCOMM Technology Resource Programme (CITREP)
CITREP is a training incentive programme to equip the Singapore Infocomm professionals with critical, emerging and specialised skills and gain recognition for their competency. The programme aims to assist the professionals in increasing their organisation's competitive advantage and enhance their individuals’ employability. The programme supports training courses and certifications which impart knowledge and skills in the identified technologies by providing training incentive to defray the cost of training and certification.
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Skills Development Fund (SDF)
The Skills Development Fund (SDF) was established in October 1979 with the institution of the Skills Development Levy (SDL) Act with the primary objective of encouraging employers to invest in skills upgrading of the workforce.
The SDF does this by offering assistance as an incentive to companies to mount training programmes for employees.
For more information, please contact SDF at 6223 0012.
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WorkSkills Training Programme (WSTP)
WSTP (WorkSkills Training Programme) is designed to help you acquire useful skills in planning your career, searching for jobs and dealing positively with job losses or changes. For more information on course dates, please contact the WSTP at 6213 8133 or via email at otcinstitute@ntuc.org.sg. |
Click here for more training courses that you can sign up for.
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Employment Rights
As an employee, you may be entitled to certain employment rights and benefits.
If I am retrenched, will I be paid retrenchment benefits?
If you are employed in a unionised company and are a member of the union, consult your union.
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The retrenchment benefits provided depends on what is stated in the collective agreement between your union and the company. |
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If no retrenchment benefits are provided in the collective agreement, it will be negotiated between your union and the company. |
If you are not a union member, consult the Ministry of Manpower, Labour Relations Department at 6438 5122.
If you are covered under the Employment Act*, you will be eligible to claim for retrenchment benefits if you have worked in the company for 3 years or more. However, the amount of the benefits is to be negotiated between your employer and you, or as decided by your employer.
What is the notice period my employer must give me if I am to be retrenched?
The notice period will depend on what is stated in your employment contract or collective agreement in the case of unionised companies.
If no notice of termination is stated and you are covered under the Employment Act*, the following minimum notice period must be given to you.
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Notice Period |
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Less than 26 weeks |
1 day |
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26 weeks to less than 2 years |
1 week |
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2 years to less than 5 years |
2 weeks |
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5 years and above |
4 weeks |
For more information, you can consult the Ministry of Manpower, Labour Relations Department at 6438 5122.
*Employment Act Part IV covers all workmen regardless of salary level and all employees whose salary do not exceed $1600 per month. Employment Act excludes:
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any person employed in a managerial, executive or confidential position |
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any seaman |
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any domestic worker |
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any person employed by a Statutory Board or by the Government |
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Useful Contact Numbers/Websites
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Employment Rights |
Telephone No. |
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Ministry of Manpower
Retrenchment Advisory Line |
6438 5122 |
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Financial Assistance |
Telephone No. |
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Community Development Council National Helpline
http://www.cdc.org.sg/ |
1800-344 1234 |
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