Well-rounded: In today’s fast-paced world, employers seek candidates with knowledge and skills. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
Fresh grads persevere, going for interviews and honing their skills
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s unemployment rate is on a downward trend but some fresh graduates have found that it took them months to secure a proper job.
Design engineer Nixon Lee said he got a full-time job about half a year after graduating.
“After graduating, I spent three months working a side job while looking for a full-time engineering role. It took me about six months to get a full-time job,” said Lee, 26.
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“During the interviews, there were many open ended questions, which allowed for more interaction with the interviewer.
“It was less focused on technical terms,” he said, adding the experience helped to improve his communication skills.
Lee said he was comfortable with his current job as it was related to his field of study but he was also open to better opportunities and higher pay in the future.
He was offered about RM2,800 when he was hired in September last year, he added.
On Oct 8, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said the country’s unemployment rate has continued to decline to 3.5% recorded in the first quarter of 2023 compared with 3.6% in the fourth quarter of last year.
He attributed this to a significant shift in job-seeking trends.
Another fresh graduate, Eugene Teo, said he spent seven months seeking employment before he was eventually recruited as an equipment engineer.
He has some advice for job seekers.
“It is important to have a proper understanding on your subject of study when in university.
“And when you are still studying, try to intern at different companies,” he added.
He said that graduates must hone their skills such as in communication.
“Building relationships is important when securing a job,” he added.
Undergraduate Hazeeq Amzar Haslee, 20, found that most IT companies were looking for people with a specific set of skills related to the field.
“Most of the companies, which I have applied to, stated they required someone with IT,” said Hazeeq, who is studying information technology.
“For example, they wanted Java programmers, and those with database expertise, networking and so on.
“Other than that, employers want a person who can adapt to the working environment as well as willing to learn and gain knowledge but you must be mentally and physically prepared because the working environment can be intense.”
The current internship wages offered to Hazeeq were around RM200 to RM300 monthly and additional bonus if performance is good.
