SINGAPORE: An employee took to Reddit to share how he was recently given a two-week notice at his first full-time job, despite putting in effort to improve and adapt.
On Sunday (May 18), the man posted on the r/askSingapore forum seeking advice and emotional support from the local community. He explained that he had been trying hard to meet expectations at work but was recently informed by his supervisor that he was “not suitable” for the role.
According to his post, he had been making a conscious effort to be more proactive at work. He had been reaching out to colleagues for clarity on task requirements and following up closely with developers to ensure progress. Despite these attempts, his performance was still deemed lacking.
He also opened up about the toll the experience has taken on his health and well-being.
“It is affecting my health…having no appetite, having stress coughing, being low in energy, and having freezing cold fingertips and toes. Overthinking… Self-doubt even more… Now I’m worse, thinking I’m stupid in every task I do. I don’t even know what I want to do in the future or what I like… My life is just a blank now. What should I do?” he wrote.
“Take a deep breath and start searching for another job.”
His raw honesty struck a chord with many Redditors, and the comments section was quickly filled with messages of encouragement and practical advice. Several users urged him to start looking for a new job right away, reminding him that a single job does not define his worth or future.
One user wrote, “Just look for another job since your boss has already told you to leave. Do part-time jobs to survive while looking for a new job, as that could take months.”
Another shared, “I feel for you, but know that your health is paramount, and no job should take over your life.”
Others sympathised with his situation and suggested that the role may simply not have been the right fit.
One said, “One door closes, another one opens. Don’t dwell on it. Learn from it; get back up from it. Success is failing 10 times and getting back up 11 times.”
Another added, “Well, you said it yourself. You are stressed and not functioning well. Perhaps this is not the right job for you at the moment. Judging from your symptoms, it sounds like anxiety. I highly suggest you talk to a professional about this. There are techniques to cope with stress and anxiety; just don’t let it fester for a long time.”
How to cope and recover after losing your job
Brennan Nevada Johnson, founder of a successful tech PR and media agency in New York and a contributor at Built In, shared six thoughtful tips for navigating the aftermath of a job loss:
Allow yourself to grieve. Don’t rush into another job right away. It’s perfectly normal to feel sad or even ashamed after being fired. Rather than suppressing these emotions, experts advise that you acknowledge and process them before taking your next step.
Step away from social media to avoid unhealthy comparisons. Instead of getting caught up in what others are doing, give yourself the space to heal, reflect, and focus on your own journey forward.
Reflect on your goals. Ask yourself, “What do I really want to do moving forward?” Reflect on your previous job. Was it a good match for your interests, skills, and values? Is that the kind of work you see yourself doing in the long term?
Reach out to your network for support. Talk to friends, family, and loved ones who can offer encouragement during this time. You can also connect with peers or former colleagues in your industry for advice or guidance.
Rebuild your confidence. Don’t get too caught up in why you were let go, as it can keep you from moving forward. Instead, focus on your strengths, what you’ve achieved, and all the great stuff you can bring to the table.
Prioritise your health. Most importantly, make sure to look after yourself. Exercise regularly, eat well, and go for walks or enjoy a jog. Staying active and maintaining healthy habits can boost both your physical and mental well-being.
Read also: Employee gets ‘heat from the higher management’ for travelling on her weekend day off
Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
