Job hunting tips for fresh graduates
RAGE, The Star/Asia News Network | Wed May 11 2011
Polish your communication skills
All three of the experts R.AGE spoke to said that most young Malaysians in the job market lack good communication skills.
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said: "Employers don't care so much about your GPA. If you can communicate well, especially in English, you will be hired."
Career counsellor Sheela Chandran, couldn't stress this enough: "If you can't communicate well verbally in English, you won't be considered. You can improve your written language over time, but if you're poor verbally, you fail at the door of the interview."
Don't be fussy about salary
According to Shamsuddin, the average pay for a degree graduate is between RM2,000 and RM2,300 (S$826 and $950); while non-graduates are paid between RM1,000 and RM1,500.
But the starting pay isn't everything, as there are bonuses to consider as well.
"If you perform well, if you contribute to the company, they will be willing to reward you with increments and bonuses - especially in the private sector," he said, adding that the average annual increment now is around 5%-6%.
Plus, if you get that first job out of the way, it is likely your salary will jump a level when you decide to change jobs.
Don't hang around too long
Staying unemployed for too long could create a vicious cycle.
Employers will be looking for those who are experienced, and if you are too fussy about your job, you'll lose out on that.
"Then as your peers become more experienced, you will also have new fresh graduates entering the market to compete with. Employers will definitely have a different perception of you if you are unemployed for too long," said Shamsuddin.
Be open to other options
Sheela said that young people today are more fussy, and less open to exploring other opportunities.
"They think 'I trained for this, so I won't accept any other jobs'. That's why the unemployment rate is high.
"Be adventurous, try other things, and don't limit yourself to what you studied," she said.
Sheela also recommends that if you try a new job, give it at least four to six months, or you won't get a real feel of it.
Don't just study, learn!
With the supply of graduates constantly increasing, Shamsuddin says employers are no longer willing to train people on the job like they did in the past. They want to hire people who can contribute immediately.
"Employers will want to choose the best, so students need to equip themselves with what the market needs. You need to start learning what is needed in the real world even as you are studying," he said.
Shamsuddin tells students not to be shy in asking for part-time jobs, as practical experience now is "very critical".
And as for students who don't have tertiary-level qualifications, Shamsuddin says: "It's not the end of the world.
"Go for skills training. There are programmes by the Ministry of Human Resource that can give you the equivalent of a diploma."
