AFTER returning to Singapore in 2006, former human resource director Andree Lim thought she would have few problems finding work.

But despite sending out more than 30 job applications, Ms Lim, who had moved to the United States when she married an American, did not get a single response.

'I was looking for entry-level positions because I wanted more time to look after my parents. But companies kept saying that I was over-qualified for the job,' said the mother of an eight-year-old daughter.

Undeterred, she signed up for the Workforce Development Agency's Professionals Conversion Programme (PCP) last year.

There, she learnt to spruce up her resume and met employers who were willing to take on out-of-work professionals like herself.

One of them, logistics company Chansen, hired her as a customer service executive.

Even though her current pay package pales in comparison to the US$5,000 (S$6,804) monthly wage she used to command, Ms Lim does not mind.

'It doesn't matter if we do not get the positions or salary we would like,' she said.

'The most important thing is to keep an open mind to all opportunities, and be practical and adaptable.'

She is one of 418 in the category of professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) who have participated in the conversion programme, which helps such workers upgrade their skills or chart new careers.

In all, some 1,000 PMETs are expected to be placed in jobs or reskilled by the end of the year.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on May 2, 2008.