WITH more jobs disappearing and the numbers of unemployed going up, the economic outlook seems set to be gloomier than ever.

I recently took a taxi, and was struck by the cab driver's lament of a drastic drop in take-home pay as many Singaporeans opt for cheaper modes of public transport.

An IT specialist I know who works in Shanghai got the pink slip on New Year's Eve, and e-mailed me to tell me how downcast and lost he felt. I tried to console him, but to no avail.

As Singapore braces itself for a very rough year ahead, I have a few tips for those who are currently unemployed:

• Take some calculated risks if you can and seize business opportunities. Stories abound of people who took the chance to launch entrepreneurial careers after they were retrenched, armed with severance benefits and nothing to lose.

  Of course, not all such attempts will take off smoothly, but nothing venture, nothing gain.

• List the skills you have and ask yourself what you would really like to do in future.

  Many take the chance to pursue their passions and take on another career which they had no chance to embark upon all this while.

  Too many people see work as just a job which pays the bills.

  This is the best time to re-evaluate what you really want to do with your time, rather than feeling blue about having too much of it.

• Find time to explore new hobbies and try out new things that you have not attempted before due to inertia or lack of time.

  Many will also benefit from taking courses which they previously did not have the time or energy for.

  Use your newfound free time wisely.

• Spend more time with family and friends.

  Instead of getting depressed over unemployment, have a meal with your parents or old friends.

  This will help enhance your relationships.

• Re-examine your priorities. Too many people in Singapore work too hard, such that it has become a bad habit.

  They sacrifice a lot of their time and energy just to support their family.

  Are those long hours really worth the sacrifice?

  Children would rather see their parents more frequently than come home to an empty condominium.

I hope that the unemployed will view their experiences as unique and as a part of life's learning curve.

It is only after people have gone through adversity that they can count their blessings and appreciate what they have.

Mr Gilbert Goh Keow Wah

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