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WAN HELP HIS SON SIAM NS IZZIT?????????? 
www.transitioning.org/2012/02/22/ex...ting-manager-finding-it-tough-to-be-re-hired/
Dear Gilbert,
I have been following your site for the past 2 months and I must give praise to you for all you’ve done.
I’ve read alot of postings from other fellow Singaporeans who are finding it very difficult to get reasonable employment.
I am in that same predicament now.
I am 39+ years old and has a Diploma in Marketing Management from KAPLAN Singapore (2008). I am married with a 12 year old son. Both my wife and son are SPRs. As my wife does not speak any English, she works part time and earns about $1000 a month.
I have 18 years of working experience, and my last job was a Regional Sales & Marketing Manager for a small local telecommunication firm. Through my previous years of work, I had acquired extensive business experience in the Middle East, Asia and China.
In June last year, the boss decided to cut my salary from $3800 to $3100. It was a big impact on me, but the main reason I left was because the company was running out of money (The boss was making alot of money losing decisions) and I was under tremendous pressure to make the company turn around, which in my professional opinion was futile and to stay on was meaningless.
Since then, I had sent out many job applications. On the average, I would receive one call from the recruitment agent out of 20 applications sent. However, it will always end up with no further updates. Sigh…
I have already ran out of money and feeling depressed and desperate.
I am most willing to work and lower my salary expectations to $2500, but most job requirements I see need at least a degree. With or without a degree, I tried applying but of course there is always no reply.
I am also beginning to apply for other job positions that does not need a degree with no relevance to my work experience. I don’t know how this will turn out though.
I am beginning to feel that once you are over 35 years old, no Singapore employer will want to hire you. All they want are cheap and good labour. Pay less for workers but earn more profits for themselves!
Perhaps of my regional exposure to many countries I’ve visited, I have always wanted to teach or do social work to help others who are less fortunate. I feel it is important to help fellow human beings irregardless of their race or colour.
Even for a social worker position, they require a degree! Many times I wonder, why can’t an individual without a degree (but with experience) do the same job?? Isn’t that unfair?
Being bilingual, I have thought about taking a gamble and going to China to teach English, international business and marketing to workers in 2nd tier cities. Perhaps I could make a career there. Again, I hold back because what will happen to my wife and son here.
I am really at a loss of directions Gilbert. What should I do next? I have to get a job quickly so that I can take care of my family.
I have also attached my resume here for your perusal. Perhaps you could be kind enough to advise me how to make myself more employable?
Look forward to hearing from you and God bless your kindness.
With warm regards,
James
Editor’s Note: I will be meeting up with James soon for a discussion.
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