Job seekers can expect better job opportunities than last year, as recent Jobstreet survey noted that 30 percent Malaysian employers indicating an increase in hiring activity.
The Jobstreet’s Job Outlook Report 2018 found that both employers and talents have a more optimistic outlook this year. According to the report, there will be stronger job opportunities than what was available in 2017, with nearly 1 in 3 employers plan to increase their hiring activity, which is a 12 percent increase year-on-year.
Meanwhile, 15 percent of employers surveyed mentioned that they plan to maintain the same hiring level in 2018 as they did last year. The study also observed a notable drop of 5 percent in hiring freeze compared with last year, which affirmed the growing momentum of active hiring activity.
The growing confidence also correlates with an increase in job postings, with the figure hit 9 percent increase year-on-year in which online migration of non-executive job postings contributed 3 percent to the overall growth, Free Malaysia Today reports.
See: Singapore Candidates Annoyed by Slow Employment Feedback: Survey
Jobstreet.com Malaysia’s country manager Chook Yuh Yng said that both employers and candidates are sharing a more optimistic outlook towards the job market this year. According to her, among the key drivers of this positive sentiment are the rise of startups, expansion of local businesses, as well as the entry of foreign companies that lead to more job creations and the need for diversified skills.
“Therefore, we can expect both job hunting and hiring activity to pick up in 2018,” she said at the Malaysia Career & Training Fair held at MidValley Exhibition Centre here today.
Ms Chook added that along with increasing level of hiring activity, employers will need to look into emerging needs of employees as pull factors to stay competitive in talent attraction and retention. It is crucial for employers to find the balance between desired benefits and offered benefits to be able to retain and attract talent, she said.
Additionally, the report also revealed some useful insights on competitive hiring strategies besides offering thick paycheck to the candidates. It found that the top five benefits desired by employees including medical insurance, transportation allowance, medical coverage for family or dependents, pension or retirement fund and flexible working hours.
Read also: Malaysia’s Economic Growth Matches Strongly with Job Creation: KPKT