MALAYSIA’s recruitment market is expected to grow in 2023 despite a potential global recession, Strong economic fundamentals, a successful pandemic response, and China’s economic openness all contribute to this.
The Chairman of the Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal Rawther, echoed this view: “In 2023, Malaysia’s job market is expected to benefit from firm domestic demand, China’s reopening, the revival of construction projects, the expansion of primary sectors as global commodity prices rise, and modest external trade activities.”
Malaysia’s Statistics Department also reported that unemployment remained stable at 3.6% in November 2022. Labour force and employment both grew by +2.5% year on year and +3.2% year on year, respectively, supported by robust domestic economic growth.
As a result, we can expect to see stronger competition for quality talent as more employers digitise their businesses for efficiencies and competitiveness. Investing in training and developing junior talent and driving diversity and inclusion goals are among them. Additionally, employers will rely less on salaries to compete for talent. Rather, they’ll use culture-related strategies.
Also, more jobs today are being filled on a contract basis. Therefore, jobseekers may not have the security of long-term employment and may have to work for short-term contracts. For jobseekers who seek stability and a steady income, this is especially challenging.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the various strategies jobseekers can use to maximise their chances of landing a successful job in Malaysia.
1. Develop Marketable Skills
Developing and honing marketable skills is one of the most effective strategies for jobseekers. Skills include both hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (such as communication and time management). Research the skills that are valued in your desired field, both today and in the future. If you want to know what’s hot today, you can do a lot of research online, but you’ll want to talk to someone who is working in your field (ideally at a manager level or above) to get a sense of where your field is heading.
Online education courses, conferences, and webinars are all excellent resources for learning new skills or solidifying existing ones.
If you are just starting in your career, don’t neglect to freelance, including sourcing projects online where any projects you complete build your track record. Having a work portfolio and reviews from real clients helps to establish your professional online presence.
2. Network Effectively
Networking is a necessity in today’s world. Many studies demonstrate that professional networks lead to increased job opportunities, faster advancement, and increased status and authority. Enhancing the quality of work and job satisfaction can also be achieved by building and nurturing professional relationships.
You will begin to appreciate the activity much more if you concentrate on the positive aspects such as how it will enhance your knowledge and skills needed for your job. You can also make networking more palatable by considering how your interests and goals align with those of the people you meet.
You can get your name out there and your foot in the door when you approach networking as an opportunity to learn and discover!
3. Utilising Job Search Resources
Technology hasn’t changed much about the job search in the last few decades. Developing your skills and networking has always been critical to finding the right job. With new technology, however, jobseekers have an infinitely greater potential to optimise their searches and find the perfect position.
Many of the best online tools such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Google are available today to help jobseekers find jobs and connect with potential employers. Since Google is often overlooked in job searches, I saved its mention for last.
In fact, Google Jobs is a super-functional job platform that allows you to search for jobs, save specific listings and searches, and even set up job alerts. Since Google Jobs aggregates listings from most other job platforms, it offers the best of both worlds.
Use these online tools not only for job searching but also to research potential employers before applying. By learning more about the company’s culture and values, you may be able to customise your resume and cover letter accordingly.
4. Keeping Your Social Media Clean
The first thing you need to know when entering the job market is how you appear on search engines. Hiring managers will probably check out your social media accounts, especially if you’ve been active on them. According to data, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates. I’m sure you’ll agree that looking bad online can hurt your job prospects!
ReputationDefender.com recommends that you Google yourself every month so that you can keep track of your online presence, and if anything should appear that reflects you negatively, you can take immediate action.
Keeping your social media profiles professional and appropriate is essential to getting a job (and keeping it once you’ve got one).
Conclusion
Navigating the Malaysian job market can be stressful and uncertain. Jobseekers need to set realistic expectations and stay motivated. Setting short-term goals and celebrating small successes can help. Additionally, jobseekers should reflect on their progress and re-evaluate their strategies if necessary.
When a job opportunity is secured, jobseekers should make the most of it. To ensure that they are a good match for the job, jobseekers should research the company and position. It is also important that they take steps to excel in their jobs. Learning new skills, networking, and building relationships could all be part of this process.
The right strategies and a positive attitude can help you succeed.
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