RIDING OUT THE PANDEMIC AND RECESSION

Read on for some tips on how you can buckle down and ride out the storm.

The world has been disrupted in ways never seen before. Entire industries and businesses that ground to a halt over the past few years are only starting to slowly recover, some countries are still tentatively reopening their borders and while employees have returned to the office, remote or hybrid working systems are still a vital part of working life.

As a graduate jobseeker, this may all seem incredibly overwhelming –especially when the prospect of finding your first job is already pretty nervewracking in itself!

While we unfortunately cannot tell you when life will go back to normal, what we can do is offer you a few tips to help you ride out what else might be coming ahead. Even though you may be set to graduate in the middle of this pandemic and possible upcoming recession, remember: keep holding on to your long-term plans to find a job, but remain flexible at the same time. No one knows how long the present situation and uncertainty is going to last, so be prepared to make short-term adjustments if necessary.

For example, even as you keep an eye peeled for a company and job that appeal to you, you can still look out for internships, short-term contracts, or consider going freelance. These may not seem like stable employment prospects, but think of them as shortterm stopgaps until a longer-term opportunity avails itself. Plus, they are a great way to ensure you continue building and exercising employable skills.

But also remember, even in the midst of a recession, there will still be organisations hiring. Every recession brings with it winners and losers. Tech and logistics companies, for example, are doing great. You just have to keep your ear to the ground and find out who is still hiring.

You can also attend virtual and physical events organised by your university to engage with employers during this time. These are fantastic ways to grow your professional network and stay in touch with what is going in the industries of your choice – all from the comfort of your own couch.

Subscribe to your dream employers’ graduate mailing lists or social media feeds so that you will be alerted of any online events they will be having, or check in with the SMU Career Centre to see if they know of any upcoming ones.

Take care of yourself

Last but not least, remember to take care of yourself. With looming graduation dates, a possible recession and everything else in between clogging up our to-do lists and newsfeeds, it can really be a lot to handle all at once.

It may take longer than usual to find a steady-paying graduate job this year, so you will want to watch your personal finances! Begin by trimming whatever expenses you do not need. Look through your expenses to find hidden ones you can do away with or start finding creative ways to encourage yourself to save.

You can also turn to a number of free apps to help you plan your finances. Some suggestions include Pocket Expense, Household Account Book and Spendee.

As a rule, try to plan for blocks of three months at any one point in time. Forecast your essential expenses for the next three months to the best of your ability, and do your best to ensure you have enough savings on hand to cover those.

Make use of events and classes

Our bodies may be stuck at home most of the time, but that does not mean our minds have to be! Make use of your school’s virtual and physical events, or take offered upskilling programmes, such as those subsidised under SkillsFuture Singapore, to build new Critical Core Skills. These skills include collaboration and communication, sense making, transdisciplinary thinking and global perspective, among others.

Look out for signs that you are developing anxiety. These include: fatigue, difficulty sleeping, feeling helpless and having trouble just managing what is presently on your plate because worries about your future keep distracting you.

Remember that anxiety is a normal response to the uncertainties we are all facing during this time. Everyone is in the same boat, after all. The key is not to let it overwhelm you by overthinking what may lie ahead, but to focus on what you can do each day – one step at a time. Focus your energy on what you can accomplish today and now, and let tomorrow’s worries be for tomorrow. Rinse and repeat from there.

Still, if the anxiety feels too much for you to handle alone, there is nothing wrong with seeking advice. Talk to your university counsellor and your career coach. A fresh perspective may be just what you need to keep yourself on track mentally and emotionally.

At the same time, try taking up new hobbies or make time each day to do the things you enjoy, like playing online games with friends. You are more than just your job search. When all is said and done, this pandemic and its turmoil will pass. But you will remain – stronger, more resilient, and betterequipped than ever for your dream career.