Is this a Fussy, Jobless & Whining Singaporean?
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Sorry, you are over-qualified ...
He upgraded his skills with 2 post-graduate diplomas but a decent job is still a dream
Weekend ?November 26, 2005
Lifelong learning and skills upgrading have been touted as the way to stay ahead in today's rat race. Most would assume that so long as you make that effort to remain relevant, a decent job is usually not far away.
True? Not quite, as far as Clement Chan, 38, is concerned.
He's learned the hard way that taking the initiative to upgrade far from guarantees him continued employment.
In fact, he's been out of a job since July, having been turned down by scores of companies.
The reason given by most of them: You're over-qualified.
Mr Chan graduated with an economics degree from the National University of Singapore in 1993. Since then, he's used his own money to take up two post-graduate diplomas in IT at the Institute of Systems Science.
Thinking he had a distinct advantage over those who only possessed a degree or less, Mr Chan soon realised just how wrong he was. His numerous attempts to find work in his preferred lines of banking and IT have been fruitless.
"One local bank rejected my application because I was considered over-qualified. This despite the fact I was willing to lower my expectations in both pay and job scope," he told Today.
His case is not an isolated one. Earlier this month, a reader wrote in with a similar plight, having spent $15,000 on a course but is still jobless a year after graduation.
Mr Chan, a father of three, has even paid a visit to his MP, Mr Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio GRC), who linked him up with bodies such as the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, but to no avail.
"Most of the jobs don't fit my profile as the companies are recruiting non-graduates. I've also approached the job placement firms, but nothing so far," he lamented.
It's a fall from grace for Mr Chan, who just five years ago was earning $5,000 a month as an assistant vice-president at a major bank, only for him to step down due to a change in management.
Since then, he's been in and out of numerous contract jobs, many of which did not recognise his post-graduate qualifications.
He counts himself fortunate that his wife is able to support herself as she holds a relatively high-paying job with a local university. Now living off his dwindling savings, he hopes to find work by the end of this year. Early last year, the couple made the decision to downgrade from an executive apartment to a five-room flat.
Everyday, he sends out "at least three or four" applications. He estimates that since July, he's expressed interest in over 100 positions ?including those as a librarian, cash management executive, systems analyst and business analyst.
One factor could be the nature of the saturated IT field he's looking to join, a possibility Mr Chan does not dismiss.
The bottom line: Be savvy in what sort of profession you pick, as well as the type of course you take up.
"Sure, in IT the demand is much more than the supply. So many people are coming from China and India to take these jobs. Because of this globalised market, you are competing with so many others who have the same skills as you."
Which is why Mr Chan is now prepared to lower his expectations.
"I'm willing to take up temporary and contract positions, but to date I have no success. I don't mind earning $1,200, but many employers don't want to give even that chance to me," he said.
AS TOLD TO LEE U-WEN
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/86695print.asp -
Who tell u so fussy?
$800 cleaner job don't take.
ASS STAR Chairman Yeo say Sporeans with degrees go wash test-tubes.
Wash toilets also sama sama what! Why don't take job? Must be fussy! Still dare to whine in newspaper! -
Any government officer here to reply why despite the upgrading of oneself, one still cannot get a job?
The reason that we have the same qualifications and competing with the Chinese from China and Indians from India is reasonable. But they have already lowered their expectations to about the same as Chinese and Indian, why still no job? -
You are trying to help this man or slam this man?Originally posted by ObviousMan:Who tell u so fussy?
$800 cleaner job don't take.
ASS STAR Chairman Yeo say Sporeans with degrees go wash test-tubes.
Wash toilets also sama sama what! Why don't take job? Must be fussy! Still dare to whine in newspaper! -
Govt says economy better than ever -- why cannot get job?
Govt says Singaporean must be fussy --that's why jobless?
Govt says Singaporean only know how to whine -- never upgrade!
So is this a fussy, jobless & whining Singaporean? -
Overseas job market for show issit?
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You mean foreign talent?Originally posted by LazerLordz:Overseas job market for show issit? -
I mean leave this place and work abroad la.I don't understand what's so great about staying here all your life and not working abroad at least for once.Walk the world and open your eyes guys.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:You mean foreign talent? -
Originally posted by ObviousMan:
Expect ppl to know that banking with its IT are down, esp if one ever worked in banking.
Thinking he had a distinct advantage over those who only possessed a degree or less, Mr Chan soon realised just how wrong he was. His numerous attempts to find work in his preferred lines of banking and IT have been fruitless.Everyday, he sends out "at least three or four" applications. He estimates that since July, he's expressed interest in over 100 positions? including those as a librarian, cash management executive, systems analyst and business analyst.
Employer would not hire one simply because one has lowered his expectation. In tight job market, employer looks for gd experience.One factor could be the nature of the saturated IT field he's looking to join, a possibility Mr Chan does not dismiss.
A saturated IT field, going by all the indicators. -
its his age, not his qualifications.
silly to go upgrade, waste of precious money that he could put into better use. -
but he is onli 38, still young mah.......Originally posted by dragg:its his age, not his qualifications.
silly to go upgrade, waste of precious money that he could put into better use. -
If only our leaders had listened to many posts to Feedback Unit since 2002 including some from me that our academic system of education was fast producing a country of highly educated unemployed.
I was proposing in those posts that what Singapore needed badly is broad-based practical education to help securing citizens of employment opportunities and produce more self-start entrepreneurs.
Sigh !!! The man was over-confident of his many assumptions!!! -
in the corporate world 38 is old now. this is 2005.
if you have a job then keep it. otherwise.... -
So what should those ppl who are above 40s and unemployed be doing to get a job? Anyone?
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Its not the govt's fault. Its market forces, a matter of demand and supply.
To guys like Robert, the govt is no good if there is even 1% of unemployment. He thinks we should be a communists state.
And since all he wanst is to throw mud at the govt, even if there is 100% employment, he will ask why are there people with lowest pay in the country? And then he blames the govt. -
good question.Originally posted by pat33:So what should those ppl who are above 40s and unemployed be doing to get a job? Anyone?
based on my experience there are only jobs like security guards, cleaners, service jobs out there. -
And then most will find that life is too good overseas and won't wanna come back....Originally posted by LazerLordz:I mean leave this place and work abroad la.I don't understand what's so great about staying here all your life and not working abroad at least for once.Walk the world and open your eyes guys.
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you get some and you have to give some... though overall, life can be pretty good...Originally posted by BillyBong:And then most will find that life is too good overseas and won't wanna come back.... -
Someone should do a survey on the number of SG youths who have worked abroad and decided to emigrate there....Originally posted by breytonhartge:you get some and you have to give some... though overall, life can be pretty good...
Wonder what the numbers are....
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Dunno the numbers. Young people from elsewhere come over here to work too if they have the opportunity. Its very natural.
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Yeah... In the corporate world...once you hit 30 your choices are limited liao.....Anything past 35....good luckOriginally posted by dragg:in the corporate world 38 is old now. this is 2005.
if you have a job then keep it. otherwise.... -
Well, when I was a kid I never imagined I'd feel old and over the hill at the age of 30. But there you have it. *clings on to his present job like koala bear*
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Got to agreed with Salman on this... it is a matter of Demand and Supply.Originally posted by Salman:Its not the govt's fault. Its market forces, a matter of demand and supply.
To guys like Robert, the govt is no good if there is even 1% of unemployment. He thinks we should be a communists state.
And since all he wanst is to throw mud at the govt, even if there is 100% employment, he will ask why are there people with lowest pay in the country? And then he blames the govt.
He upgraded, no doubt, but he is trying to get into an unrealted field which his experiences will not be of good use. Even if he wanted to go into the IT line, he should find a job tat leverage his experiences and at the same time broaden his job scope into the IT area.
Job offers will be plenty... if u can find ur niche and not go for the sexy / most talked about jobs in the market. -
Maybe he can try to be a landscape artist or a cleanliness operation executive or a Mercedez racer or a one-star security enforcer.Originally posted by ObviousMan:Who tell u so fussy?
$800 cleaner job don't take.
ASS STAR Chairman Yeo say Sporeans with degrees go wash test-tubes.
Wash toilets also sama sama what! Why don't take job? Must be fussy! Still dare to whine in newspaper!
These are very high end jobs many can consider once they hit 35 in singapore. -
I don't think the man is fussy. It has to do with his age, and the previous position he held.