What Kind of Comeback Jobseeker are You? Take This Quiz Now

It’s supposed to be a quiet workday. You have no meetings scheduled and a hot cup of coffee on your desk. Suddenly, an email pops up on your screen: HR is requesting a meeting in the conference room right now.

Stepping into the conference room down the hallway, you’re greeted by your HR manager and a couple of executives you recognise from HQ. A sinking feeling weighs on you as you prepare for the worst.

Your HR manager hands you a letter of termination. “We’re sorry, but due to budget cuts and falling profits, we’ll need to let you go,” one of the executives says to you. The other one reassures you that this wasn’t an easy decision to make and thanks you for your hard work.

You’ve just been officially retrenched. Now what?

1. You’re aware of the flood of emotions coursing through you — anger, despair, sadness — but you gather your thoughts. What keeps repeating in your head?

“It’s okay, this is just a minor setback; I’ll be back on my feet in no time as long as I start searching for a new job right away.”

“What am I lacking now that could have caused this? What can I pick up to prevent this from happening again?”

“I wonder who else has been affected by this? Is there a community I can join for support?”

“Let’s not jump the gun and do anything rash. I need time to process what has happened.”

2. You walk away from the conference room upset but calm, because you already have a game plan in mind. What is it?

Making a mental list of things you need to do — update your resume and portfolio, get your finances in order, and scour job boards for your next gig.

Signing up for pottery classes — now that you have some time on your hands, you can pursue hobbies you’ve always wanted to try.

Stopping by your boss’ table to ask for a letter of recommendation — while retrenchment stings, you’re not one to burn bridges.

Booking a spa session — seems indulgent, but you could do with a massage to clear your head before doing anything else.

3. You’ve got a box to pack all the knick-knacks you’ve accumulated on your desk over the years. What’s the one thing you’re making sure goes home with you?

Multiple ‘Employee of the Month’ awards — you’ll need a pic of them when you make your ‘So I’ve been retrenched...’ post on LinkedIn.

Notebooks from your first year on the job — valuable lessons you’ve learned and don’t want to forget.

Boxes of name cards you’ve collected from years of networking events — it might be time to reconnect with some of these people.

Gratitude journal you got from a Secret Santa gift exchange last year — even in this dark hour, there’s still space to be thankful for the journey you’ve made so far.

4. You make one final lap around the office to say goodbye to your colleagues. They say their farewells and wish you well. Which goodbye message resonates with you the most?

"You bounce back faster than most; this won’t hold you down for long.”

“You pick things up fast; you’ll land somewhere that appreciates it.”

“You connect effortlessly; opportunities will find you easily.”

“You manage tough emotions with such clarity; that will carry you far.”

5. You need to drop off your work pass at HR before you leave, which happens to be right next to the pantry. Time for one last snack. What are you pocketing?

Kopi-O kosong packets and kueh bahulu — you might need the fuel for late nights spent on building your portfolio.

Instant oats, a banana, and a handful of nuts — you saw a recipe for overnight oats that you want to try at home.

Family-size bag of chips — it’s not all for you; you intend to share them with the rest of the team that’s also been retrenched.

Chamomile tea bags and iced gem biscuits — something calming and comforting is much needed after the morning you've had.

6. On your journey home, you start crafting a social media post to inform your friends and family about your retrenchment. What are you posting?

Milestones you hit at work, like your long-service award and promotions.

Team cohesion days at an art jamming studio or enneagram workshop.

The company’s year-end parties where you could mingle with other departments.

Late-night hangouts with the team where you had heart-to-heart talks.

7. Comments start streaming in on your social media post. Lots of people are offering advice, but one catches your eye because it’s a book recommendation. What’s the title?

Rise & Grind: Life-changing habits to achieve your goals in 30 days or less

Course Correct: Lessons in restarting your career

'You Had Me At Hello’: How an intern worked her way to CEO through the right people

Pen, Paper & Potpourri: Grounding yourself through good and bad news

8. As you make a reservation for the book through the library app, the train reaches your stop. You get out with your box of stuff and start walking in the direction of your home, but the roads are blocked due to ongoing construction. Which detour do you take?

Through the void decks — never mind the construction; you’ve always had your own shortcut home from the MRT station.

Past the community centre bulletin board — you want to find out what the new workshops and courses are going to be.

Through the hawker centre where you know you’ll find some of your neighbours having dinner — you’ll stop to say “hi”, but it’s likely going to end in a two-hour conversation.

The winding road past the park and community garden — you’re in no rush to get home; there’s plenty of time to stop and smell the roses.

9. It’s been quite the day, but at long last, you’re home. You drop your box onto your table and sink into your couch. The news of getting retrenched has been upsetting but something about how your day has gone has reminded you that this is only a blip in your career. How do you wind down for the rest of the day?

There’s no work tomorrow, but you make your usual to-do list anyway — staying consistent keeps you motivated through tough times.

You busy your hands and mind with a DIY project you’ve put on the backburner for a while — you haven’t had time for hobbies and and now you have time to jump back into them.

Have a group call with some of your close friends to breakdown the day’s events — you need new perspectives on things.

Light a candle then jot down all that you’re feeling — brain-dumping helps you declutter your thoughts.

10. You’re getting sleepy and start preparing yourself for bed. As your head hits the pillow, the day’s events replay in your mind. Tomorrow, you start a new journey navigating retrenchment and unemployment. What’s the last thought you have before you snooze?

“If life is a marathon, then this is just a water break to recharge and refuel."

“Today’s fumble is tomorrow’s lesson learned.”

“I’m not in this alone, I have a tribe that will support me while I find my feet again.”

“I am a rock, and this will not shake me.”

Back-to-School Shiva

You’re one of the few who’s always had great awareness of your gaps in knowledge. Not in a self-doubting way, but in a “how can be 1% better than I was yesterday?” way. So when retrenchment arrives, you’re excited by the possibilities and opportunities that await. That workshop you’ve been meaning to pick up, certifications you’ve bookmarked for “one day” — suddenly, “one day” feels like today.

Heading back to a classroom excites you, and there’s no better time than now to trawl through MySkillsFuture courses to see what’s out there. Who knows, your next workshop might just be a stepping stone to a new career.

That’s why we recommend signing up for the Career Conversion Programmes (CCP) for Individuals, which provides on-the-job training as you pick up new skills. The Mid-Career Pathways Programme for Mature Mid-career Individuals should intrigue you too, as you get the opportunity to gain experience at an industry-relevant attachment.

Retrenchment can sometimes blindside us in the worst way — it shakes your confidence, pulls you out of routines, and leaves you with an aftermath you didn’t really plan for. But how you move forward — sprint, study, reconnect or pause — is shaped by who you are.

Whether you resonate with Hustler Hafeez, Back-to-School Shiva, Networking Ning, or Reflection Raye, know that there’s no “right” way to navigate your next chapter after a retrenchment, and all ways are completely valid. Your comeback era isn’t a race, so embrace your persona, and play to your strengths!

Looking to do a mid-career change? WSG’s Career Conversion Programme provides salary support across 30 sectors to help mid-career jobseekers looking to take on new job roles. Check out what roles are available.

Networking Ning

You understand that careers aren’t built in isolation, but in all the chats you’ve had with anyone and everyone you’ve met over the years. Those conversations have been your catalyst in connecting the dots between people who didn’t know they needed each other until you stepped in.

So when retrenchment happens, you know your safety net isn’t a company logo brandished on your LinkedIn profile, it’s the web of people you’ve spent years supporting and showing up for.

And if they aren’t available, know that you can count on a Volunteer Career Advisor to at least give insight into the industry you’re interested in. Who knows, the conversations you have could open doors for you.

If not, there are many more people you can connect with at Career Events and Workshops run by CareersHorizon. There are industry-specific career fairs, as well as virtual seminars and job interviews available to help grow your network.

Looking for your next job? Discover a wide range of opportunities on CareersHorizon and connect directly with employers through walk-in interviews, virtual career fairs, and more.

Reflection Raye

People underestimate your quietness as escapism from problems, but that’s just the way you process bad news like retrenchment. The power of pausing has always been your strength in looking inward before moving outward, so you sit with uncomfortable emotions until they soften enough to guide you.

You want to understand where you’ve been, so you can choose where you’re going next with intention. It’s why a visit to a Career Centre would be beneficial for your journey — Career Coaches and Career Ambassadors can help provide understanding in your situation, as well as guidance on achievable next steps.

We also suggest working with Career Matching Providers (CMP), who are well-suited to help point you to potential unexplored careers based on your skills and experience.

Retrenched or unemployed? You’re not alone. Let our career experts support you with tailored job-seeking resources and strategies – at no cost.

Unemployed? Receive up to S$6,000 in financial support while you search for a role that better matches your skills and experience. Apply for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme today.

What Kind of Comeback Jobseeker are You? Take This Quiz to Find Out

Find out what kind of comeback jobseeker you are and unlock tailored strategies to help you return to employment successfully.