Employment & Jobs in Malaysia

🧭 Your Complete Employment Guide

From finding your first job to changing careers - everything you need to know about working in Malaysia. Job search tips, worker rights, salary expectations, and avoiding scams. Written for fresh grads, career changers, and everyday workers.

🚀 Your Employment Journey in Malaysia

Whether you're a fresh graduate, changing careers, or looking for better opportunities, this guide covers everything you need to know about working in Malaysia.

🔍

Find Jobs

Job portals & government platforms

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📄

Apply & Interview

Resume, cover letters, interviews

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💼

Start Working

Know your rights & benefits

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📈

Grow Career

Upskill & advance

📄 Writing Your Resume (CV) & Cover Letter

✍️ Resume Essentials

Length: 1-2 pages maximum

Format: PDF preferred (keeps formatting)

Must include: Contact info, work experience, education, skills

Optional: Photo (common in Malaysia), references

💡 Free templates:
  • Canva (free Malaysian-style templates)
  • MyResume portal by government
  • Microsoft Word templates

📝 Cover Letter Tips

Length: 1 page, 3-4 paragraphs

Structure: Why you want the job → What you can offer → Call to action

Personalize: Address to hiring manager by name if possible

🎯 Sample opening:

"I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Executive position at [Company]. With my degree in Marketing and internship experience at [Company], I am excited to contribute to your team's success."

🎯 Resume Do's and Don'ts

✅ DO:

  • Use clear, professional email address
  • Include relevant keywords from job posting
  • Quantify achievements (increased sales by 20%)
  • Proofread for spelling and grammar
  • Tailor resume for each application

❌ DON'T:

  • Include irrelevant personal info (religion, race)
  • Use unprofessional email (coolboy123@email.com)
  • Submit same resume for every job
  • Include salary expectations (unless asked)
  • Use too many fonts or colors

🤝 Mastering Job Interviews

🗣️ Common Interview Questions

"Tell me about yourself" → Brief career summary + why you want this role

"Why do you want this job?" → Research company + match your skills

"What's your weakness?" → Real weakness + how you're improving

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" → Career goals aligned with company

💡 STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result - use this to answer behavioral questions.

👔 Dress Code Guidelines

Government/Banks: Formal business attire (suit, tie)

Startups/Tech: Smart casual (collared shirt, no tie)

General rule: Dress one level above daily work attire

For women: Modest, professional clothing

⚠️ Malaysia tip: Consider cultural sensitivity. When in doubt, dress more conservatively.

💻 Virtual vs In-Person

Virtual interviews: Test tech beforehand, good lighting, quiet space

In-person: Arrive 10-15 minutes early, bring extra copies of resume

Both: Research company, prepare questions, practice answers

💡 Pro tip: For virtual interviews, look at the camera, not the screen, to maintain "eye contact."

❓ Questions to Ask Them

About the role: "What does a typical day look like?"

About growth: "What opportunities for development exist?"

About culture: "How would you describe the team dynamic?"

About success: "What would success look like in this role?"

⚠️ Avoid asking: Salary/benefits in first interview, too many personal questions.

⚖️ Your Rights as an Employee in Malaysia

📜 Employment Act 1955

Working hours: Maximum 48 hours per week, 8 hours per day

Overtime: 1.5x normal rate for extra hours

Annual leave: Minimum 8 days (increases with tenure)

Sick leave: 14-18 days per year (with medical certificate)

Maternity leave: 98 days for female employees

⚠️ Know your contract: Read employment contract carefully. Some benefits may be above minimum requirements.
Ministry of Human Resources

🛡️ EPF & SOCSO Protection

EPF (Employees Provident Fund): Retirement savings - you contribute 11%, employer 12%

SOCSO: Work injury and invalidity insurance

EIS: Employment Insurance Scheme for job loss

Your right: Employer MUST register and contribute

How to check your contributions:

  1. Register for i-Akaun (EPF) and i-Serve (SOCSO)
  2. Monitor monthly contributions online
  3. Report non-payment immediately
EPF Portal | SOCSO Portal

👩‍⚖️ If You're Treated Unfairly

Unpaid wages: File complaint with Jabatan Tenaga Kerja (JTK)

Wrongful dismissal: Report to Industrial Relations Department

Workplace harassment: Internal HR first, then external authorities

Discrimination: Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)

Steps to file a complaint:

  1. Document everything (emails, messages, witnesses)
  2. Try internal resolution first
  3. File official complaint with relevant authority
  4. Attend hearings and provide evidence
Jabatan Tenaga Kerja

💵 Salary Expectations & Minimum Wage

🏷️ Minimum Wage 2024

Current rate: RM1,500 per month

Applies to: All employees in Malaysia

Exceptions: Domestic workers, piece-rate workers

Your right: Cannot be paid below this amount

⚠️ Important: This is the MINIMUM. Most jobs should pay above this rate.

📊 Fresh Graduate Salaries

Diploma: RM1,800 - RM2,500

Degree: RM2,300 - RM3,500

Engineering/IT: RM2,800 - RM4,500

Banking/Finance: RM2,500 - RM4,000

💡 Note: Salaries vary by location (KL higher than smaller towns) and company size.

💰 How to Negotiate Salary

Research first: Use PayScale, Glassdoor for market rates

Consider total package: EPF, medical, bonuses, leave

Timing: After they show interest, not in first interview

Be reasonable: 10-20% above their offer is acceptable

⚠️ Fresh grad tip: Focus on learning opportunities if salary negotiation fails.

🎯 Salary by Industry

Technology: Above average, stock options possible

Banking: Good base + performance bonuses

Government: Lower cash but excellent benefits

Oil & Gas: High salaries but cyclical industry

💡 Consider: Industry growth potential, job security, work-life balance.

🚀 First Jobs for Fresh Graduates

🏛️ Government-Linked Companies (GLCs)

Examples: Petronas, TNB, Telekom Malaysia, CIMB, Maybank

Programs: Management trainee, graduate development programs

Benefits: Structured training, clear career path, good benefits

Application: Usually open applications in March-June

💡 Advantage: Excellent for fresh grads - structured learning and mentorship.

🏢 Multinational Companies (MNCs)

Examples: Nestle, Unilever, Microsoft, Google, P&G

Programs: Graduate trainee programs, rotational assignments

Benefits: International exposure, accelerated learning, competitive pay

Application: Apply 6-12 months before graduation

⚠️ Competitive: High requirements but excellent career acceleration.

🚀 Startups & Tech Companies

Examples: Grab, Shopee, AirAsia, local tech startups

Benefits: Fast learning, diverse responsibilities, potential equity

Considerations: Less structure, higher uncertainty, but faster growth

Good for: Self-motivated learners, adaptable personalities

💡 Perfect for: Graduates who want hands-on experience and don't mind ambiguity.

🎓 Common Fresh Grad Mistakes

Ghosting employers: Always respond, even to decline offers

Over-negotiating: Don't push too hard on first job salary

Job-hopping too quickly: Stay at least 1-2 years to build experience

Ignoring soft skills: Communication and teamwork matter as much as technical skills

⚠️ Remember: Your first job is about learning, not earning. Focus on skill development.

🔁 Changing Careers or Reskilling

💻 Government Reskilling Programs

HRD Corp: Employer can claim training costs for employees

e-LATiH: Free online training platform by government

MDEC: Digital skills training for tech careers

GIATMARA: Technical and vocational skills training

HRD Corp | e-LATiH

🎯 How to Explain Career Changes

In resume: Highlight transferable skills, not gaps

In interviews: Focus on why you want the NEW role, not why you left the old one

Show commitment: Mention courses, certifications, volunteer work in new field

Be honest: Brief explanation, then pivot to your enthusiasm for the new direction

📈 High-Demand Career Transitions

To Tech: Coding bootcamps, data analysis courses

To Digital Marketing: Google/Facebook certifications

To Finance: CFA, FRM, or professional accounting qualifications

To Healthcare: Allied health programs, medical assistant courses

🏠 Freelancing & Gig Work in Malaysia

🌐 Popular Freelance Platforms

International: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com

Local: Gigworks, Rtist, PartTimeJobs.my

Specialized: 99designs (design), Toptal (tech), Contently (writing)

Delivery/Transport: Grab, Foodpanda, Lalamove

💡 Best for: Flexible schedule, additional income, building portfolio

📋 Legal & Tax Requirements

Income above RM34,000/year: Must file income tax

Business registration: Consider registering with SSM if serious about freelancing

Bank account: Separate business account for easier tracking

Record keeping: Track income, expenses, receipts

⚠️ Important: Set aside money for taxes - government doesn't deduct automatically.

⚖️ Pros & Cons of Freelancing

✅ Pros: Flexible hours, choose clients, potential high income, work from home

❌ Cons: Irregular income, no EPF/SOCSO, must find own clients, handle taxes

Ideal for: Self-motivated people with specialized skills

💡 Tip: Start freelancing part-time while keeping your regular job.

🚨 Avoiding Job Scams in Malaysia

⚠️ Common Job Scam Warning Signs

🚩 Red Flags

Upfront payment: Asking for "processing fees," "training costs," or "uniform deposits"

Too good to be true: RM5,000+ salary for entry-level with no experience

Vague job descriptions: "Easy work from home," "earn money fast"

Pressure tactics: "Apply now," "limited time offer," urgent hiring

Personal info requests: Bank details, IC copy before job offer

✅ Legitimate Signs

Professional communication: Proper company email, phone number, address

Clear job description: Specific role, requirements, responsibilities

Proper interview process: Face-to-face or video interviews

Company verification: Can find company on SSM portal, Google reviews

Reasonable salary: Matches market rates for the role

🔍 How to verify a company:
  1. Check company registration at SSM portal
  2. Google the company name + "reviews" or "scam"
  3. Look for professional website with proper contact details
  4. Ask for company registration number
  5. Trust your instincts - if something feels wrong, investigate further

🆘 Where to Get Help

🏛️ Government Support Services

  • MyFutureJobs: Job matching, career counseling, skills assessment
  • Jabatan Tenaga Kerja (JTK): Workplace complaints, employment law
  • PERKESO: Social security, work injury claims, unemployment benefits
  • MDeC: Digital career guidance and training
  • HRD Corp: Skills development funding for employees

📞 Emergency Contacts

Workplace harassment: Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) - 03-3000 8858

Scam reporting: Commercial Crime hotline - 997

General employment: JTK hotline - 03-8000 8000

Legal aid: Legal Aid Department - 03-2691 3391

💻 Online Resources

Salary comparison: PayScale Malaysia, Glassdoor

Skills testing: MyFutureJobs skills assessment

Free training: e-LATiH, Coursera for Government

Company verification: SSM eSearch portal

🎯 Key Takeaways for Job Seekers

  • Use multiple channels: Job portals, networking, direct applications
  • Know your worth: Research salary ranges and don't accept below minimum wage
  • Understand your rights: EPF, SOCSO, working hours, leave entitlements
  • Stay safe: Never pay upfront fees, verify companies, trust your instincts
  • Keep learning: Use government training programs to upgrade skills
  • Be patient: Job searching takes time - don't get discouraged
  • Network: LinkedIn, industry events, former classmates can help
  • Document everything: Keep records of applications, interviews, employment contracts

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