Gilbert Goh has been actively contributing to various forums in print media as well as his blog addressing the issue of unemployment and how to overcome prolonged unemployment. He has recently  written an ebook entitled How to Survive Unemployment that is available online for free [link here]

The following are the main points by Gilbert on how to come out of prolonged employment (you can read the full text here)

Note: LTU stands for long-term unemployed

  • Make a [conscious] decision to go back to the workforce. There is a danger of people getting too “caught up” in their situation of unemployment and Gilbert recommends going for short-term temporary or contract employment if you can’t find a permanent position.
  • Know what you want for yourself. LTUs need to spend some time going through what they really want for themselves. They need to go through what is available in the market and look for a match.
  • Get family involvement. LTUs should discuss with their family members their life goal – what they want to do and how they can accomplish them along the way…a family that is supporting and encouraging, can help to put an LTU back on his feet again faster than one who has poor support.
  • Find help from fellow LTUs. The human race is a particular species that find solace in gathering together. They can progress remarkably well if they can find the relevant support from the community. Their problem seems lighter and easier to solve if they can that they are not alone with their own problem. Many others have also face the same issue and have overcome them before.
  • Learn to find your life’s mission. Your unemployment could be an opportunity to explore and try out things that are meaningful and give further insights on what you really should be doing.
  • Do things that boost the self-esteem. [M]any LTUs battle depression and often a low esteem. Some have alot of  self doubts about their abilities and a few may need lot s of affirmation before they can go back to the work force…LTUs need to consciously do things to boost up their self esteem
  • Set a deadline on when to go back to the workforce. For LTUs,  it is always good to set a deadline on when you can get back to the workforce. Often, what the mind sets out to do is accompanied by active participation of the body and emotion.