SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man who has been unemployed twice in the past three years recently shared on social media that the thought of applying for jobs again terrifies him.
Posting on the r/askSingapore forum on Thursday (Jun 26), he explained that he lost his first job due to retrenchment.
He added that he only accepted his second job out of desperation, but left after six months because of an unhealthy work environment.
He said, “[My] boss was super toxic and I was working at least 70 hours a week (yes, including weekends. And oftentimes work till 2, 3am and continue at 8am). I was super burnt out and very depressed. Decided to call it quits after 6 months.”
He continued, “Anyway, I’m unemployed now after working for 13 years in my career (in accounting). And really really having phobia to apply for my next roles. I’m taking a break for a while but feeling really sian. Also finished WSG Polaris programme too which helped but.. just really scared to apply for new jobs.”
“Allow yourself some break before getting back into work life.”
In the comments, one Singaporean Redditor shared, “As someone who ‘job-hunted’ for almost two years, I recommend diving into hobbies or workshops to boost your chances of getting hired. Also take jobs you can work, like F&B or freelancing accounting work. Not the best temporary source of income, but should be enough.”
They added, “Don’t give up, talk to friends or family for support, and stay optimistic. Believing in yourself is hard when the job market is this depressing, but you will have your break.”
Another commented, “All the best bro! It’s hard out there but you can just try working part time jobs first to get some income. I may find myself in a similar position soon too.”
A third added, “I hope you find your dream job and get hired soon, but for now… Happy funemployment!! I have no advice for you when it comes to looking for jobs but I must say, do enjoy your time unemployed now and take the time to rest up fully. Bring yourself out for cafe dates, do those things during weekdays you would never get to do. Time will really fly. 13 years is a long time! Allow yourself some break before getting back into work life.”
How to overcome your fear of applying for jobs
Pinpoint what’s making you hesitate.
If the thought of applying for jobs makes you anxious, take a moment to figure out where that fear is coming from. According to job site Indeed, it could be due to a “previous negative experience or incident”, performance anxiety, fear of change after being in the same job for a while, or even something like “agoraphobia”, which causes intense anxiety in certain public situations.
Once you pinpoint what’s making you hesitate, it’s easier to find the right kind of support and take small steps to move forward.
Prepare for the unknown.
From there, try to prepare yourself for the unknown in small, manageable ways. Start by researching the company, thinking of questions to ask during the interview, listing your relevant skills and experiences, and practising interview questions with a friend or colleague.
Be kind to yourself.
Most importantly, don’t be too harsh on yourself. If you made a mistake during an interview, turn it into a lesson. If you get rejected, use this as fuel to do better next time. Never lose faith in your abilities and just keep reminding yourself that you’re giving it your best shot.
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