It is a daunting experience to search for a job in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the market is highly competitive and may face several challenges, including successful professionals. That being said, you may discover that it is worth the effort. Compared to other countries across the world, transitioning to life in Malaysia is simpler. So launch your work hunt now and be part of Malaysia’s world of ex-pat living!
How to get a job in Malaysia?
Although English is used in Malaysia, you have to learn the local language. This might help you increase your chances of finding a job and socializing with the locals. That again might help you expand your professional network.
If you decide to look for a job after arriving in Malaysia, social networking is the first step. You can start with social activities like joining a sports club where you can meet new people. However, it goes unsaid that the better your Malay skills are, the easier it is to make new contacts. Later you should contact companies which are in your field of interest.
Malaysia is one of the ideal places to work if you can make a huge move. Here is how quick it is to kick-start your trip to Malaysia to work!
Decide whether you are eligible for jobs in Malaysia.
You would need to review all the criteria required to work in Malaysia before you even begin to look for a job. Depending on the type of job and qualifications, there are different kinds of work permits for which you can apply.
Work Pass: This pass is issued to employees with particular qualifications, typically for professional or administrative employment. Usually, the minimum duration is two years.
Temporary Work Pass: It was issued for less than two years with a monthly salary of less than RM5,000.
Professional access pass: given to foreign nationals who stay employed by a company in their home country but are required to offer such services for a term of up to 6 months by a Malaysian company.
Familiarizing with Malaysia’s jobs market
In Malaysia, the first steps of seeking jobs would enable you to evaluate your future work market. The convenience of choosing a career would depend on the occupation you have selected. Some demands are exponentially increasing, although others have hit the point of deflation. In Malaysia, tourism is still flourishing, especially with the rise in marketing for major tourist attractions.
Due to the urgent need for experts skilled in solving complex programming problems, computer science has become increasingly common in Malaysia.
Your best career odds will refer to a profession that is on the list of skills in demand. This study outlines the occupations and skillsets that Malaysia’s sectors will be in high order for this year and the near future. Conduct your research to expand your opportunities for jobs!
Where to look for a job
It is common to search for work and companies on the internet, and there are many sites available for the Malaysian work market. The Malaysia Jobs Directory offers a rundown of the standard Malaysian job-hunting websites. This is especially useful if you start your job hunting already in your home country. In this way, you can get an overview of the job market and see what offers the best options. You can also upload your CV on most of the pages and make the agency and companies search for you instead.
If you are in Malaysia, look at the prominent regional or national newspapers’ classifieds. Two of those, which are also available in English and online, are the New Straits Times and The Star.
The tertiary industry, also known as the retail sector, is home to more than half its workforce. This is followed by industry, particularly the lucrative sectors of oil, gas, and biotechnology.
The primary industries of Malaysia include:
- Agriculture, Agriculture
- Automotive Driving
- Construction
- Electronics Goods
- Financial Markets are
- Health Engineering
- Travel Tourism.
A yearly poll voted for by local students and graduates is Malaysia’s 100 leading graduate employers. The employers at the top are:
- The Maybank
- PWC-PWC
- EY
- Petronas
- Deloitte.
Jobs at Teaching
Although teaching jobs are not as readily available in the country as in China or Japan, you can find a steady market in Malaysia for English teachers.
You can find jobs or offer private lessons in public schools, private language academies, and international schools.
Unlike when looking for other jobs, if you are trying to obtain a position, you would still need to be in Malaysia, as employers tend to interview teaching applicants face-to-face. Not all English teaching jobs are advertised, so create a list of schools, colleges, and language centers before arriving in the country and applying speculatively.
A first degree, a recognized TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) credential, and at least two years’ teaching experience are required for most English teaching jobs.
Look for vacancies at:
Preparation for the interview
You will be contacted after you have applied for your dream position if you have been shortlisted. The interview process will usually take between 2 weeks and four weeks. Even via a phone or video chat, you must express your professionalism. Malaysia is a multicultural nation with a complete emphasis on paper credentials. Strong English proficiency, a cosmopolitan mindset, and excellent credentials must be shown.
Requesting a work permit
You should be at least 27 years of age or older and receive a monthly minimum of RM5,000. It is ordinarily important that you have the requisite credentials and job experience. Before applying for a work visa, you must obtain a position, and the projected wage must align with a minimum range. If your contract is above RM8,000 a month, your work permit application will be accepted automatically, and immigration promises that you will have your work permit within one week.
It is a daunting experience to search for a job in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the market is highly competitive and can present several challenges, including successful professionals. That being said, you may discover that it is worth the effort. Compared to other countries across the world, transitioning to life in Malaysia is simpler. So launch your work hunt now and be part of Malaysia’s world of ex-pat living!
Review the job offer
Once you have got your job offer and contract, before determining if you can accept the job offer or not, you will usually be given several days to review the paperwork. Be sure that the wage satisfies the expected work permit criteria. With the recruiting process for foreign hires, employers in Malaysia are particular, but you should also be wary of any possible hurdles ahead.
Holidays
The Malaysian Labour Law prescribes the smallest of 10 days of paid holidays in a year. This is not that much, yet another country has as many religious holidays as Malaysia. Due to different cultures in Malaysia, there are Muslim, Hindu, and Christian holidays.
Hours, culture, working conditions
The Malaysian Employment Act defines 8 per day and six working days per week. Work and employment in Malaysia is not a much difficult task.
There are special restrictions for women in the agricultural sector. They are not allowed to work between the time of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Malaysian workers can work for full-time employment at the age of 14. But there are specific defensive regulations covering adolescents aged 14 to 16. The labor law, in this case, differs in Peninsular Malaysia from that in Sabah and Sarawak. Under the age of 14, children can work as well but “only” six hours per day. The areas of work are yet limited to non-physical work.
Regular business hours In Malaysia are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Many companies and government agencies also open until noon on Saturdays.
Internships
Finding work experience in the country is not always straightforward since not all employers provide formal opportunities. Typically, significant corporations or international firms offer internships, and they will last from one and three months.
At Graduan, Malaysia’s leading career advice and job resource for new graduates, you can find details of available work experience and internships. Sending speculative applications in addition to the above could help your chances of securing work experience. Students’ internships and summer job placements can also be organized by:
AIESEC UK – for undergraduates and recent graduates
IAESTE UK – for students of science, engineering, and applied arts.
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