MY HEART goes out to the workers who were recently retrenched by DBS Bank. It is difficult to be laid off, especially during a down period such as this.

As someone who was jobless for 20 months during and in the wake of the Sars period in 2003, I have some advice to offer:

• Take the time to reflect on what you really want to do with your life.
• Find out what your "life mission" is, and take the chance to do something you're really interested in.
• Upgrade yourself by retraining or going for courses to learn new skills and improve on existing ones.
• Stay positive by surrounding yourself with positive people, and always tell yourself "Yes, I can" instead of "No, I can't".
• Live your day according to a timetable so that you can pass your day fruitfully.
• Take on part-time work, if possible. It will keep you busy while you are looking for a full-time job.
• Do not lose hope. Many jobless people I know lose hope when the going gets tough, especially after many rejections.

I hope what I have shared will be of some help to those who are being laid off during this tough period.

Mr Gilbert Goh Keow Wah

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