How To Cope With Job Loss

Speak from the heart and try to answer this question: “What do you do?”

Many of us may respond to this query by elaborating on our professions. I would do the same thing too. You see, our jobs are deeply integrated into our identities. Work helps us to satisfy our needs to earn money, to achieve goals, and to connect with others. It gives a sense of purpose and greatly affects our means of living. Therefore, job loss can be overwhelming.

It is common to feel like a part of you was lost. This loss can take a toll on your mental and physical health. As you through the process of adjustment, the next phase needs to be intentional. Let this article help you with that. Here are some of the steps that you may take after losing your job.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO GRIEVE AND ADJUST

The latest figures released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) showed an increase in the country’s annual unemployment rate. The overall Annual Average Unemployment Rate in 2020 was 3%, compared to 2.3% in 2019. Many people have experienced unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adjusting to unemployment and grieving over job loss takes time. If you recently lost your job, it is important to accept that the process cannot be rushed. Rushing your feelings may lead to projecting unpleasant emotions during a job interview. Let everything simmer down first.

Losing your job may feel the same way as losing an integral part of yourself. You will undergo the grieving process and may feel the following stages: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. Do not be too hard on yourself. Accepting that these changes take time can help ease the healing process.

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

There are two ways to perceive your current situation. In most cases, losing your job or your source of income is difficult. Whether it has something to do with your performance or with the current economic situation, it is normal to feel worried about the future after job loss.

You can either look at it as a career barrier or a temporary setback. If you look at things in a bird’s eye view, you will realize that success in life is measured by how we respond to its challenges and setbacks. It is up to you to alter your mindset.

PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE

At first, taking care of yourself is easier said than done. It is tempting to grab a bag of chips and wallow in self-pity as you sit in front of the television. The feelings you may experience in the first couple of weeks or months may be overwhelming. However, you must not neglect your own well-being.

The healing of your mental health requires physical resilience. It takes a lot of effort to take care of yourself and to build healthy habits that will keep your immune system strong. Start by being intentional with what you eat. You may even grow your own greens at home. Furthermore, you can plan out an exercise routine that will work best for you. Use your energy to fulfill productive tasks such as gardening and job hunting.

SEEK SOCIAL SUPPORT

As you are dealing with a range of emotions, refrain from isolating yourself. Having social support is crucial in times of struggle. It will help you overcome the loneliness you feel during the grieving process. Moreover, talking to someone about your current situation will help you acknowledge your feelings.

Talk to the people whom you trust. Your confidant does not have to offer upfront solutions, he or she just needs to be a good listener. Good listeners listen actively without passing judgment or being distracted. Alternatively, you may join support groups online.

ESTABLISH A DAILY ROUTINE

Maintaining a daily routine goes together with taking care of yourself. While it is possible for you to stay in bed the whole day, setting a regular schedule can help regulate your mood. Studies have shown that following a routine can help ward off depression. A routine will give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment as you complete your daily household tasks. Furthermore, not setting boundaries for yourself may lead to eating poorly or other unhealthy habits.

Write down the tasks that you aim to fulfill within the day. Maintain a body clock by setting up a timer. The timer will give you an external cue to wake up and to sleep on scheduled hours. This will help you create a sense of normalcy and prevent you from staying up all night. Additionally, you may incorporate your meal preparations, family visits, skin care regimens, and exercise plans within your daily routine. Remember that practicing self-care and maintaining good hygiene can help boost your mood.

SET LIMITS ON YOUR JOB SEARCH

Try not to add unnecessary pressure on yourself! You are already going through a lot. Despite how anxious you are to get a new job, spending all your time on job search can be stressful and frustrating. Know that you are doing your best.

Try setting aside a certain number of hours within a day for your job applications. The remaining parts of your day may be dedicated to self-care, taking care of your family, and to other productive tasks. The unexpected time off can be challenging, but you may use it as an opportunity to do something that you have always been busy for.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What are some of the things that you have put aside because you were too busy with your job? Whether you want to learn a new language or to clean out your closet, find hobbies and projects that will occupy your time. Now is your chance to focus on the things you are passionate about!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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Fun Activities To Explore In St. John’s Island

Nestled in the string of islands on the Southern coast of Singapore is St. John’s Island. What was once a quarantine facility in the late 1800s has since become a destination for locals who want a quick getaway from the cityscape.

St. John’s Island is bigger than its neighbors namely, Sisters’ Islands and Kusu Island. Despite its size, less than half of the island is accessible by the public. Huge portions of the land are dedicated to research and to lodging. Nonetheless, there is plenty of activities to explore within the island.

If you are all set, start by riding a ferry to get to the island. There are two ferry companies that travel between the Southern Islands. You can either go with the Marina South Ferry or Singapore Island Cruise. Prices start from S$15 (adult tickets).

Sit back and relax as the short ride will last for 30 minutes. You can even choose to sit on the top deck, if it is available. Upon arriving in the island, here are some of the activities that you may explore.

1. GO ON A WALK TRAIL

Refresh your mind by being one with nature as you walk through St. John’s Island. The first curated trail on this island was developed to encourage appreciation for its rich biodiversity and history. In fact, you can spot eleven Heritage Trees within the island. Only a selected number of trees have earned the title of Heritage Trees. These trees are handpicked for their exceptional size and their outstanding botanical and cultural value.

The St. John’s Island Trail includes fifteen stations marked with signboards that serve as educational resources and station markers. Thus, it will let you see the beauty of its fauna and flora as well as its vibrant history.

2. JOIN THE GUIDED TOUR

Free guided tours are held on the first Sunday of every month. Join the National Park volunteers as they highlight the key features of the St. John’s Island Trail. The land-based trail covers 1.6 kilometers and would span for about 90 minutes. What’s more? It is free! Do note that registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit the nparks.gov.sg page for more details.

3. CYCLE AROUND THE ISLAND

If you opt to travel the island through wheels, you may rent bicycles or two-wheel step pedals. Enjoy the cool breeze as you pedal along the island and feast your eyes with its biodiversity.

A pop-up bicycle rental store called Gogreen Bicycle Rental offers access to bicycles, two-wheel step pedals, and tents. Convenience comes with a price as renting a bicycle or a two-wheel step pedal starts with S$30.

4. GO FISHING

Upon exiting the ferry, you will notice how clear the waters are. Try looking down and observing the schools of fish. If you are lucky enough, you will catch a huge range of fish from snappers to groupers.

5. EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON MARINE LIFE

As you take a dip on the calm waters of the island’s Swimming Lagoon, you will be able to see different sea creatures such as sea sponges and seagrasses. Many of these can be encountered at low tide on an intertidal walk around the island’s coasts.

6. INDULGE IN BIRD WATCHING

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings during your visit to the St. John’s Island. Add an element of fun to your sightings by writing down the birds and the animals that you spotted. Take pictures and add that to your “nature journal”, which you can make with your child.

What are you waiting for?

Explore the St. John’s Island with your loved ones by checking out the ferry schedules and its COVID-19 safety measures. Make sure to pack water, sunblock, insect repellant, and snacks.

There are no stores within the island. It is best to come prepared! You can either pack your essentials or grab snacks like bread at the Marina South Pier’s convenience stores. Moreover, please help conserve the beauty of the island by throwing your trash properly.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Is It Time To Embrace AirAsia Food?

Move aside GrabFood and foodpanda Singapore, there is a new player in town! It is none other than the AirAsia Food. AirAsia just launched its food delivery service in Singapore and offered free deliveries for orders within 8 kilometers (until March 16). It is free for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Last year, the aviation industry took a strong hit due to the global pandemic. Airline staff and entrepreneurs have thought of ways to modify their skills and diversify their businesses in order to survive. Budget carrier AirAsia, sought for ways to boost their revenues through their “super app”. This app offers services from travel to shopping as well as logistics to financial services. The food industry is another landscape that they wanted to tap.

Earlier this month, AirAsia said this in a statement: “The rapidly growing food delivery platform of AirAsia super app – AirAsia Food – is set to revolutionize the food delivery service sector in ASEAN with its official entry into Singapore today.” AirAsia Food aims to provide a “no-frills” food delivery service within Singapore.

Let us take a look at its features or lack there of. Firstly, it does not have a real-time tracking feature. You will not be able to track whether your driver has just left the establishment or whether they are 1km away. Mr. Anthony Fernandes, founder of AirAsia Group, saw the “maps” feature of existing delivery apps as unnecessary frill that can help them to cut cost. Moreover, the operating hours of the app is said to span from 11am to 8pm daily.

As of the current situation, Mr. Lim Ben-Jie of AirAsia app has said that there are no plans to extend the operating hours in the future. They only follow the operating hours of its its delivery partner, AirAsia’s logistics arm Teleport. Its limited operating hours may be an issue for people who frequently order due to their late-night cravings.

Thirdly, users will not be given upfront updates regarding the delivery time. The average time from order creation to delivery would be between 35 to 40 minutes for orders within 10 kilometers. You will not be informed if there are “external factors” that can affect the timeliness in preparing your order. Users must be flexible when it comes to that. As with every new app, there are some things and glitches that they may fix or modify over time. I hope this is one of them.

Lastly, AirAsia Food went back to its roots by providing low-cost options for food delivery. The platform charges establishments with a 15% commission per delivery. This is lower than the three major food delivery giants such as GrabFood, foodpanda, and Deliveroo. Furthermore, delivery rates are about 5% lower than its rivals. AirAsia believes that lowering the commission rates will lead to lower charges for customers.

What’s more? They provided unlimited free food delivery until March 16, 2021. This only applies for deliveries within 8 kilometers. Beyond Singapore, AirAsia Food plans to expand to Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia. They are eyeing on this expansion in the second half of 2021.

Ultimately, AirAsia Food seems to be the cheapest food delivery option for the time being. It is up to you to decide whether the features on this app are sufficient to your needs. Nonetheless, I am hoping that the reported glitches will be addressed soon. Share us your app experiences on the comment section below!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Fundamental Rules Of Budgeting

As you gloss over the pages of old personal finance books, you will realize that they stress on the importance of creating a budget and sticking to it. Poof! All your financial problems will be solved in a snap. However, life is not as simple as that.

Budgeting is the process of creating a financial plan based on your estimated revenue and expenses over a period. It is a complex task that takes your entire financial profile into account. It is up to you to embrace the process!

On that note, here are the fundamental rules of budgeting.

#1: BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF

Awareness of how much money comes in and how much you spend will enable you to pinpoint your spending habits. Be honest with yourself! You will be surprised that everything adds up, once you keep track of your money on a regular basis. Start by writing down your expenses for a week and continue. Include your daily coffee runs and Netflix subscription. You can use online budgeting tools to help you monitor your money.

#2: BE PREPARED TO CHANGE

The only permanent thing in this world is change. Your efforts of controlling your environment will be put to waste because change is inevitable. If you reached the end of the month and noticed that you are struggling to pay bills, something needs to change. Alter your budgeting strategies and identify which categories you can cut down on. Fortunately for you, small changes can make a big difference.

Your income, expenses, and priorities will change over time. You must adjust your budget accordingly.

#3: LEARN SELF-CONTROL

Within my immediate social circles, my partner is the primary model for self-control. He steers away from luxury and focuses on strategies that make him a savvy spender. He practices delayed gratification too. Learning self-control can help you accomplish your realistic budget.

If you are lucky, your parents or teachers taught you this skill when you were a child. If not, you will learn the importance of delaying gratification. Despite the tempting nature of credit cards, it is better to wait until you have saved up the money for a purchase. You do not want to spend the rest of your years paying for your credit cards alone!

#4: USE CASH WHEN NEEDED

Notice your spending habits. If you are constantly overspending on a budget category, consider having an envelope system. Use the allocated cash from the envelop and stop spending once it runs out. It is the ultimate accountability strategy.

#5: CREATE GOALS

Be realistic when it comes to your budget and your priorities. Whether you are paying off student loans or building an emergency fund, you need to focus on the goal. Knowing the reasons behind why you are saving and why you are making sacrifices will help you sustain your budget.

#6: PROTECT YOUR WEALTH

Ensure that your hard-earned money does not vanish by taking some safety measures. IF you are renting a flat, consider getting an insurance to protect your belongings from fire or burglary. If you just bought a laptop, sign-up for the warranty. This will help you cushion the costs of repairs.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You must educate yourself on budgeting and handling money. The more you learn about handling money wisely, the more concrete your reasons for budgeting will be. Good luck!

Sources: 1 & 2

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You Need To Know These 7 Job-Hunting Tips

Due to the global economic shifts brought by the pandemic, the unemployment rate in Singapore raised to around 4.38 percent in 2020. Unemployment has forced many Singaporean workers to reinvent themselves and pursue different career paths. It does not necessarily mean that they will try to get back the job they once lost.

If you are one of this people, you may turn to technology for advice. As you dive into the pool of job vacancies, you will encounter a massive wealth of job-hunting advice online. It is easy to get lost in the pile of articles found in Google. Avoid overwhelming yourself.

Let me start by cutting down the list of timeless job-hunting tips to help you survive this complex process.

#1: TAILOR YOUR APPLICATION

When applying for a job online, it is highly likely that your Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) or resume will be screened by an applicant tracking system. The first human encounter your C.V. will encounter is from a recruiter or an entry-level HR officer. It is best to tailor your application to the company you are applying for. Make it obvious that you are fit for the job!

Start by studying the job description and all the available information about the vacancy. Then, mirror the words and phrases found in the job description. Showcase your strengths in the areas that are important to the role being filled. Connect your skills to what they are looking for.

#2: CONSIDER FACE-TO-FACE JOB SEARCH

While most companies accomplish the initial hiring process online and thru Zoom interviews, you must not limit yourself to online applications. Accelerate your chances of getting the job by dropping by the office and handing over the application in person.

Schedule informational interviews with would-be peers, if possible. You may also approach the internal recruiter and ask a few questions. This will get you on their radar. Remember that decision makers usually interview people who were recommended or referred. Letting the company know your genuine interest can help you set yourself apart.

#3: DO YOUR RESEARCH

Always come prepared. Do your research on your target companies. Once you know what you want, it is time to find out what the companies want.

A great tip is to find out the company’s culture and structure through their LinkedIn page and website. Figure out what questions they commonly ask during job interviews and discover the approximate amount of salary you may get.

#4: CURATE YOUR ONLINE BRAND

It goes without saying that modern recruiters search through the Web to find out who you really are. It is best to build a brand that showcases your expertise and passion. Most recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary search tool. Use it to your advantage!

Moreover, you must be cautious about you post online. It can make or break your chances of getting the job.

#5: ORGANIZE YOURSELF

During the early stages of job-hunting, you must gather all the documents supporting your claims. This includes Transcript of Records and Recommendation Letters. Ensure that your C.V. and cover letter are up to date. Then, determine how many hours per day will be dedicated to job-hunting or networking.

You can neatly compile all the professional email accounts and job interview schedules into a spreadsheet. This way, your job search process can be faster and easier.

#6: ASK PEOPLE FOR ADVICE

During the end of your job interview, it does not hurt to become vulnerable. It is alright to ask your interviewer for advice on how to build strong working relationships and how to succeed in the current vacant position. Do not forget to admire their company and the work they do.

#7: NOTICE YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

Carry yourself well during interviews. How many times have you heard this: “body language is vital in job interviews”? It is in your interest to take this advice seriously. Watch out for your posture, gestures, and non-verbal cues. These may either exude confidence or incompetence.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Communication, much like dancing, is a two-way street. Pay attention to your interviewer’s body language too. This will help you know if you are on the right track.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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