Anyone jobless for a long time before?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Very often, the question is:

Does the applicant need to know?

If not, then no need to disclose.

The internal transfer is possible but a bit far fetched.

Someone who has worked with govt before said that internal transfer is always prioritised over new hires in public service. Even if you're already here at the premises ready to sign the letter of offer, if the prospect of an internal transfer suddenly surfaces, the letter of offer will be retracted.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Someone who has worked with govt before said that internal transfer is always prioritised over new hires in public service. Even if you're already here at the premises ready to sign the letter of offer, if the prospect of an internal transfer suddenly surfaces, the letter of offer will be retracted.

It depends really. Internal transfer require you to first get approval from the director of the new department you are intending to join. Next, you need to get approval from your exisiting director. Heard stories about exisiting director not approving the transfer as it will look bad on him/her.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Quitting my stable job to be entrepreneur. Guess I'm going to be jobless soon.

I hope you are young or have some very niche skills not many people can do. Otherwise better not go the entreprenuer way. Alot of people in their late 30s to 40s quit their job to "go do entreprenuership" only to fail within 5 years. That time they are caught. Depleted most of their savings in the failed business and can't find a job due to their age. Not even junior roles and they have a family and kids to feed

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I hope you are young or have some very niche skills not many people can do. Otherwise better not go the entreprenuer way. Alot of people in their late 30s to 40s quit their job to "go do entreprenuership" only to fail within 5 years. That time they are caught. Depleted most of their savings in the failed business and can't find a job due to their age. Not even junior roles and they have a family and kids to feed

Go big or go home.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It depends really. Internal transfer require you to first get approval from the director of the new department you are intending to join. Next, you need to get approval from your exisiting director. Heard stories about exisiting director not approving the transfer as it will look bad on him/her.

It's a 5.5 month cover for someone taking no-pay leave. It's not like the existing director is going to lose a staff forever. I also asked my career coach from WSG about it. She says that it's normal for staff in another dept to take up additional duties/work for another dept, esp if they hope to gain job experience in that area.

I also questioned my coach on the rationale behind the new director's actions. Approving the transfer would mean he has wasted time in recruitment and conducting job interview. According to my career coach, sometimes new director don't mind cos no need to spend time on-boarding new staff, and getting the new person acquainted with org culture.

Anyway, the main takeaways from this incident:

1. Who you know > what you know.

Connections are key, and internal transfer is the full embodiment of connections and affiliations. Don't be surprised that one day, your opportunity may be 'sabotaged' due to internal transfer. Network so much until you gain access into the inner circle and your turn to 'sabotage' external hires.

2. Never trust and wholly rely on your employers

My aftermath power move was informing the hiring managers/directors to look for me if their team ever need help in ad hoc content creation one day, because I'm a freelance content producer (the role I'm applying for is comms). Even if my potential employers let me down, guess what, I can carry my own as a self-employed.

I am in control. Employers and companies CANNOT destroy me. I'm like the annoying cockroach that escapes death no matter how hard humans try their best to kill LOL.