Retrenched in Singapore: What to Do in the First Two Weeks

Week one: stabilise

1. 1Get the retrenchment letter, final pay breakdown and notice terms in writing.
2. 2Confirm who will act as your reference and how they should be contacted.
3. 3Calculate your runway: fixed monthly costs against savings.
4. 4Tell two or three people you trust. Isolation slows the search more than anything else.

Week two: prepare before you apply

1. 1Update your resume with quantified outcomes from the role you just left.
2. 2Write and rehearse your two-sentence retrenchment explanation.
3. 3Refresh your LinkedIn headline and turn on recruiter visibility.
4. 4List 20 target companies and the person you know closest to each.

Where to get support in Singapore

• Workforce Singapore career matching services
• NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i)
• SkillsFuture credits for reskilling
• Your union, if you are a member, for advice on the retrenchment terms

Frequently asked questions

Should I take a break first?

A short one, yes. Two weeks of preparation with rest beats two months of scattered applying.

Do I have to tell employers I was retrenched?

Yes, if asked — and it is straightforward. Retrenchment is a company decision and hiring managers know it.

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