When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
This is perhaps the best way to describe Puay Kie’s circumstances.
50-year-old Puay Kie is a seasoned freelance advertising account director who found herself unemployed for 9 months and counting.
After leaving her last full-time job at an advertising agency in December 2019, Puay Kie took a short break from January to February before starting her job search.
Like many jobseekers, Puay Kie signed up for alerts on job sites. She also applied for a handful of contract and part-time roles related to her industry skills on MyCareersFuture, Careers@Gov, JobsDB, and LinkedIn.
Additionally, she tapped on her network to refer job openings to her.
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While her efforts yielded some interviews, she did not receive any job offer.
She attributes her job search difficulties to the challenging business climate brought about by the pandemic.
For instance, one of the roles she applied for was put on hold.
“As a freelancer, when budgets get frozen, so do your opportunities. With increasing job losses, I knew it is going to be very tough to compete for a slice of a reduced pie.”
After her helper returned home in September this year, Puay Kie took over all the home duties, knowing that it might be the new status quo.
Spending time on what matters
When Puay Kie began staying at home full-time, her family members took some time to get used to it.
“I think they (my children) had to adjust in the beginning, having me around to grumble at them about stuff. By now, they probably got used to having things done for them, so I think it works for us, to have me stay home.”
As a mother of two boys aged 11 and 15, Puay Kie maintains a packed schedule.
“My time is spent minding my boys who are on school break, handling house chores, taking care of food supplies, and preparing meals when required.”
“I also spend at least three to four hours daily on my course which includes reading, watching videos, course activities, team projects (one per month). Often over the weekends too,” she explained.
Yet, Ms Ng still sees the value in upskilling and makes the time to take online courses. Most recently, the course she is taking is the Skills Ignition SG – Grow with Google programme, a six-month course on digital marketing which provides her with a monthly training allowance.
As the course covers topics relevant to current marketing needs, she anticipates that this in-demand skill will enhance her skillsets built through her long advertising career for future roles beyond 2020.
“Upskilling is something I need to do to learn new things and ride through the uncertainty in the hopes of better possibilities when Covid-19 runs its course. At least I am giving myself more options job-wise,” she said.
Having a positive mindset
Given that many of us define ourselves by our jobs, being unemployed is a huge blow to our self-esteem. It is even harder to remain positive when one is jobless for a long time.
In Puay Kie’s case, she acknowledged that her self-esteem took a hit initially. But she soon realised that her unemployment is due to the pandemic affecting businesses, rather than a lack of experience.
She also tries to stay positive by using her time wisely and maintaining a positive mindset.
Elaborating, Puay Kie said: “I think we make the best or worst of circumstances. If jobs are elusive due to the rise in unemployment and lack of in-demand skills, you make a choice — to stay home to refocus priorities on family (if finances permit), to upskill, to take any job, or do nothing and wallow in self-pity.”
“Since I am home, it’s better to do something that will enhance my professional value for the days ahead. I hope the ‘stay at home’ is temporary.”
Throughout the entire time, Puay Kie reminds herself of three key things.
“I remind myself to be grateful that we still have food to eat and can pay our bills. Secondly, to make good use of my learning opportunity and to persevere for my benefit. Lastly, there is a suitable job for me, I just haven’t found it. But I will.”
Upskill yourself with LinkedIn’s Skills Path
The online learning market is rapidly growing and will only continue so. Whether you’re planning to learn a new skill in your free time or further your knowledge in the industry, online learning presents stellar opportunities to do so.
If you’re looking for roles in customer service, data analysis, project management, recruitment, supply chain and sales development, LinkedIn’s new Skills Path service allows you to upskill with free courses, and validate these skills with assessments, to help you become more noticeable to potential employers.
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With the support of the National Jobs Council, LinkedIn will also help Singaporean companies evaluate and hire candidates based on their skills, instead of traditional criteria like education degrees, designations and networks. If you’re an employer, this will help you broaden your talent and hiring pools, and build a more diverse workforce.
