Career Advice Detail Asean

General tips for finding and applying for a graduate job in Malaysia

GradLink and Jobstreet

GradLink UK and JobStreet.com have collaborated on a joint venture to create a powerful additional channel for students and graduates to deposit resumes and seek and apply for Malaysian jobs and internships online.

The GradLink and Jobstreet Jobsboard
The GradLink and Jobstreet Internshipsboard

General advice for jobseekers in Malaysia

Key tips for CVs:

The standard CV and covering letter is common among most small and medium enterprises or companies (SMEs). Nowadays most companies, regardless of their size, favour electronic application methods. e.g. some companies state that priority will be given to applications via Jobstreet

Malaysian companies are quite flexible about the style or format of CV that the applicant uses, (be it the one-page resume following the US norm, or the two-page CV following the UK norm). However, a CV and an accompanying covering letter is a must in most cases.

Commonly, some companies would require applicants to submit a passport size photograph together with their CV. Make sure to read the advertisement properly to see if photograph is required.

It is very important to include your high school results in the CV. This includes SPM, SPM(V), STPM, A-levels, Matriculation etc. However, it is normally not necessary to give details, just the aggregates or number of certain grades obtained will do. e.g.: SPM aggregate : 6 units; - 7A1s and 3A2s

In some circumstances, companies may request that candidates send photocopies of their university transcripts or other academic information.

Speculative applications are common in Malaysia.

English is to be used in CV writing, some exceptions may exist for public service posts.

Useful links:

Application advice from GRADMalaysia.com
further advice on writing CVs.
Graduan Careers Learning Centre
Modules on writing CVs, plus examples.

Example Covering Letters:

See GRADMalaysia.com

Application Forms

Most multi national companies have their own application forms which are commonly in electronic form. Candidates are required to log online to their website in the usual way and proceed with self-registration before starting their application.

Some multi-national companies have been known to advertise some graduate entry level positions in other forms of media, including career websites such as Jobstreet and JobsDB, while some other specific graduate vacancies are advertised in newspapers such as The Star.

Thank You letters

Thank you letters (also called follow-up letters) can play a decisive role in applications for jobs in Malaysia. Most interviewers expect a thank you letter.

Thank you letters show courtesy, demonstrate your communication skills, and give you an opportunity to emphasise your selling points.

You should send this Immediately after interview.

Send by mail or email – always follow professional business letter standards.

Vacancies

Websites

Jobstreet
Broad range of vacancies (graduate level and experienced level). Very up to date. Users can select to register for the auto email notification for jobs matching their searching criteria. Normally email updates are sent weekly. In addition, the email notification also covers upcoming events which are useful such as career road shows, exhibitions etc.

JobsDB
Graduate vacancies as well as experienced vacancies.

GRADMalaysia.com
Advertises mainly fresh graduate entry level positions in almost all fields. Some major multi-national companies have been known to advertise their entry level vacancies here. Accessing details of the vacancies advertised require users to register with them.

Doctorjob
Both graduate entry level and experienced work vacancies and was found to be directly linked to the vacancies posted up on JobsDB

JobLinkAsia
Generally more experienced work related vacancies than graduate vacancies.

Select Appointments
Again generally more experienced work related vacancies than graduate vacancies.

Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam
Positions in the public service.

Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam
Positions in the public service.

Newspapers

The Star
Job advertisements are published daily. However, The Star releases a dedicated section to job vacancies on a weekly basis and is published on Saturday. The name of the section is ‘Star Recruitment’ (in English).

New Straits Times
Job advertisements are published daily. However, NST releases a dedicated section to job vacancies on a weekly basis and is published on Saturday (in English).

Berita Harian
National newspaper in Bahasa Malaysia, the Malay language. Berita Harian is a good source for job advertisements in the public services.

Utusan Malaysia
National newspaper in Malay Language. Utusan Malaysia also is one of the best sources for public services related vacancies.