Dear Gilbert,
I just came across your site (http://www.transitioning.org/services/) and desperately seek your assistance as I am currently unemployed for more than a month despite sending several resumes with no response.
I left my previous publishing company in mid-May 2013 which I have worked for since 2003 because I was experiencing severe burn out and stress since last year (June 2012) when I was transferred from Company X to Company Y but was informed by HR to continue to “help out” Company Y even though it is stated in my appointment letter that I was working for Company X only.
Both companies belong to the same organisation’s umbrella group. Not only did I experience a burn out, the increment to my salary (in October 2012) was only an additional $222 which only came about after I voiced out my concerns to the HR Manager that what she viewed as a matter of me “helping out” the other Company actually resulted in me doing double work for two distinct companies.
My job as a Picture Researcher was so specialised that there was no scope for any further career progression. Therefore, throughout my tenure with the organisation, I juggled work with my part-time studies to attain an Advanced Diploma in Mass Communications (non-bonded SAFRA-MDIS sponsorship) before finally attaining a B.A. in Mass Communications with Double Majors in Journalism and Public Relations in late 2011. I took up an education loan to finance my degree course and thankfully I have completed all the installment payments.
So much for heeding the Government’s advice to upgrade oneself because the company that I worked for simply filed my certificates and informed me that there will be no change to the terms and conditions of my employment. I even informed HR that I was keen to take up an entry-level position in either Business Development, Client Relations/Account Services, Corporate Communications/PR or Editorial but was disappointed at being told there wasn’t any vacant positions.
But yet, within that same period, they were hiring people from India and the Philippines (some of whom are fresh grads from their respective countries’ universities with no work experience) for similar entry positions which I was keen to fill in.
To date, I couldn’t figure out why I was denied this opportunity when I am a 34 year old Singaporean who had just received my degree from Murdoch University in Australia (not some unheard university in India or the Philippines) with many years of experience in procurement of copyrighted materials, rights licensing and price negotiation as well as dealing with agencies such as AFP, Getty Images, National Heritage Board, Reuters, SPH etc.
When I joined the company in 2003, my starting gross salary as a non-polytechnic Diploma holder was $1,600 and my last drawn gross salary was $2,442.
My dad is medically unfit to work and three years ago (when I was still working) I had hired a foreign domestic worker (FDW) to take care of my home-bound dad.
Fortunately, my domestic help is very understanding and she told me that I don’t need to pay her salary during this period until I find a job. Moreover, she understands that I still have to pay the mandatory monthly foreign worker levy at the subsidised rate of $170 due to my dad’s condition.
As such, I really hope to land a job soon as possible since I am the sole breadwinner in my family of three – my dad (a divorcee), my dad’s caregiver (our domestic helper) and me (rotting at home and feeling more and more miserable as the days go by with not a single response from any company).
Sincerely,
James
*Article first appeared on http://www.transitioning.org/2013/06/29/single-male-34-year-old-pmet-resigned-after-earning-only-2400-over-9-years-with-company/