Malaysia is not immune to the hiring challenges that many employers across the globe have been experiencing. In fact, the country currently lacks at least 1.2 million employees!
Even though the Malaysian government created an initiative in 2022 to create 600,000 jobs, employers are struggling with the country-wide manpower shortage — which is particularly pronounced in sectors like plantation, construction, food and beverage, manufacturing, tourism, and retail.
Are you struggling to find employees to hire in Malaysia? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Luckily, we’re here to help. This extensive guide features tips to help you find qualified candidates –– in Malaysia, and from abroad –– as well as the laws for hiring in Malaysia. It also outlines the 10 best job search sites to post your job descriptions and streamline your hiring process.
How to Find the Best Employees in Malaysia
Advertising openings on the right job boards is the first step to finding employees to hire in Malaysia. To increase your chances of recruiting qualified candidates, though, you should also keep these helpful tips in mind:
1. Use Industry-Specific Job Boards
It’s great to use the best job boards in Malaysia to advertise openings at your company. However, if you want to find qualified employees and fill openings fast, make sure you’re also posting jobs on industry-specific job boards. For example, if you want to hire tech-savvy employees, make sure you’re targeting job seekers who use tech-specific job search platforms. The same goes for those who want to hire executives, marketing experts, etc.
2. Write Better Job Descriptions
When you post specific job descriptions that sell the benefits and perks of your company, you’ll find that you have an easier time attracting qualified candidates and hiring new employees quickly. Make sure your descriptions are clear, detailed, and easily readable. If you’re not confident in your writing skills, check out some job description templates. They’ll help you create effective job descriptions quickly and post ads that people want to respond to.
3. Use Applicant-Tracking Software
If you have a hard time keeping track of key details during the recruiting process, invest in a platform like GrabJobs that provides you with applicant tracking software. Applicant-tracking software does a lot of the heavy lifting for you when it comes to managing candidates, including storing resumes, sorting candidates, vetting them with the help of algorithms, and sharing job ads on social media.
4. Share Ads on Social Media
Social media is a great place to connect with your followers to let them know that you’re hiring. If someone has taken the time to follow your business on social media, chances are they believe in your mission and share your values. This increases the likelihood that they’re a good fit for your company.
Furthermore, when you share job ads on social media, you allow your followers to share the listing with their followers. This helps you reach more people and find candidates faster.
5. Use Your SEO Skills
Search Engine Optimization (SEO for short) isn’t just for getting your website ranked higher in search engine results. You can also use your SEO skills to optimize your job ads so that they show up in more job seekers’ search results. When writing job ads, be sure to use keywords and phrases that are likely to show up in an online job search. This might include location-specific keywords, as well as keywords like “part-time” or “full-time.”
6. Ask for Employee Referrals
Who knows better than your employees what it takes to make it at your company? If you need help filling vacancies, reach out to your current team members and ask them to tap into their own networks. You might even want to offer rewards to those who follow through and refer applicants.
7. Visit Campus Career Fairs
Are you looking for entry-level employees or interns? If so, be sure to visit career fairs at local colleges and universities. This is a great way to connect with soon-to-be or recent graduates and educate them about your business and what you have to offer your employees.
8. Make Sure Ads Are Visible on Google
Google for Jobs is a free and popular job search engine among job seekers of all kinds and in all locations. If you want to expand your reach and connect with more job seekers, make sure your job ads show up on Google for Jobs search results. You can also directly integrate your website’s Careers or Jobs web page to integrate with Google for Jobs.
9. Connect with a Recruitment Agency
When you’re trying to find highly skilled candidates, or if you’re just having a hard time recruiting on your own, consider partnering with a recruitment agency. This gives you access to a team of professionals who know how to pick out the right candidates and help you streamline the hiring process.
10. Take an Old-Fashioned Approach
In addition to utilizing digital job search tools like job posting sites and applicant tracking software, don’t be afraid of taking an old-fashioned approach. Posting printed job ads in newspapers or on community bulletin boards can help you stand out from other businesses that are hiring. After all, you never know whose eye you might catch when you go against the grain with your hiring practices.
Top Qualities of a Good Employee in Malaysia
Another important aspect of candidate sourcing in Malaysia is understanding what makes a suitable employee. These are some of the best qualities of a good employee in Malaysia to look for when screening candidates:
- Reliable: You should be able to trust that they will show up when they’re supposed to and do what’s asked of them.
- Creative problem-solver: The best candidates aren’t afraid to think outside the box and develop new solutions.
- Team player: Most jobs require collaboration and teamwork, so it’s best if applicants are good communicators and work well with others.
- Positivity: Nobody wants to work with someone who always has a negative attitude. Look for candidates who are enthusiastic and positive.
- Adaptable: Look for candidates who can easily pivot when necessary and aren’t afraid to try something different.
- Curious: Search for candidates who are eager to learn more rather than staying complacent.
- Ability to work under pressure: Every job gets stressful from time to time (some more than others), so it’s best if you choose candidates who can work well under pressure.
- Willing to go the extra mile: The best employees don’t just do what’s expected of them. They try to exceed expectations and go the extra mile for their employers.
When reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates, look for these eight characteristics. If someone can check most, if not all, of those boxes, that indicates they’re probably a good fit for the job.
What Job Boards and Job Posting Sites Are Best for Finding Employees to Hire in Malaysia?
It’s much easier to find the best candidates in Malaysia if you’re posting job ads on the right websites.
Job boards and posting sites feature a collection of job advertisements from employers in specific industries and regions. These sites make it easy for job seekers to search for openings that align with their interests and qualifications. They also allow employers to advertise jobs to their ideal candidates and fill vacancies faster.
If you’re not sure where to advertise job openings in Malaysia, start with these job boards:
GrabJobs is the best option for hiring part-time Malaysians. It is a cost-effective recruitment solution that automates sourcing, screening, and interviewing of candidates––and includes over 5,000 companies using the job platform to simplify their hiring process. Auto-generated job seeker profiles mean that users can begin applying for new jobs in under a minute, making it great for employers looking to hire quickly and easily.
Subscription: Free for 14 days; pricing plans
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
A bona fide global phenomenon, Foundit (formerly Monster) is still an incredibly popular job search site in Malaysia after all these years. Best of all, it’s an easy and (usually) free option for job posters looking to hire for temporary and part-time work.
Subscription: Paid
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
Another popular global (and free) job search site, Indeed not only places qualified candidates in roles suited to their skills and experience––but also provide crucial tools for jobseekers like salary guides and company reviews. Simply upload your resume to Indeed’s platform and companies reach out to YOU, making the stress of finding work that much simpler.
Subscription: Free + paid options
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
This popular search engine is a default source for many job seekers in the country––which makes it a great marketplace for employers looking for qualified candidates, fast. Jora users can search through career opportunities, all sourced from many job sites from all over Malaysia, while also accessing their blog and partner sites for additional resourcing.
Subscription: Free
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
Billed as Malaysia’s #1 Job Site, Jobstore helps connect employers and job seekers using a large base of trusted users from across some of the largest cities and markets in Asia. With offices in more than 10 countries, Jobstore is great for finding qualified talent to fill roles.
Subscription: Paid
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
This popular and effective hiring platform allows business owners in Malaysia to source, screen, and hire people looking for part-time or remote jobs from around the globe. Employers can advertise their job position(s) for free by signing up for an account while gaining instant access to a talent pool that includes millions of candidates.
Subscription: Free
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
Mitula is a globally accessible job site that connects employers with full and part-time job seekers instantly. Everybody can register and tailor their search based on location and qualifications, while candidates can stay up-to-date by checking out comments and questions left by other hopeful employees.
Subscription: Free and paid options
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
Not only can Malaysians use Trovit for finding new and used cars and apartment rentals, but they can also log on to find quick and easy part-time work under the site’s JOBS category. Employers representing just about every field and industry can post an opportunity that seekers can find in minutes.
Subscription: Free and paid options
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
Mudah is another one of the best job sites in Malaysia because it allows individuals to search for jobs that are of terms specific to their search: full-time, part-time, contract, freelance, or internship. Not only is it convenient for seekers, but employers can also pick candidates from these specialized groupings to not waste their time.
Subscription: Free and paid options
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
Called the world’s biggest job search engine, Jobrapido assembles a network of job seekers –– hundreds of thousands strong –– and connects them with enterprising employers who share their employment opportunities with the community.
Subscription: Paid options
Hiring focus: All types of workers (professional, trades, remote, entry-level)
How to Hire Employees in Malaysia
The hiring laws in Malaysia can be daunting for many employers––especially those with small, independent businesses that are looking to bring on local talent, or talent from overseas.
Depending on the type of business model your company follows, and the specific parameters of your employee’s role, you’ll need to follow a few steps to ensure that you are hiring correctly and effectively. Once you have utilized some of the best tools for finding job candidates (like one of the job sites listed above), you’re ready to begin the process of employment.
- Start with an employment contract. Before hiring employees, including foreign candidates, employers in Malaysia must create a written agreement (which the employee can amend based on their expectations, including travel and possible remote work). This contract must include terms like working hours, overtime, benefits, termination requirements, and salary. Do not skimp on the details, especially when it comes to paying as employers can face fines of up to RM10,000 for willfully not providing employees with overtime.
- Starting off. Employers can choose to set up probation periods for their new hires––these are entirely optional and can range from one to three months. However, in the eyes of the law in Malaysia, there is no legal difference between an employee on probation and a permanent employee.
- Paying your staff. Employees in Malaysia typically work eight hours a day, for 40 hours a week. Overtime work is paid at a rate of 150% of their hourly salary––and the number of overtime hours cannot exceed eight hours per seven consecutive days OR 12 hours per seven consecutive days if the employee expresses their consent in writing.
- Knowing the tax laws. In Malaysia, an employer pays 15.95% of their individual employee’s gross salary, allowing for contributions to causes like:
-Provident Fund (Employees under the age of 60): 12-13%
-Provident Fund (Employees over the age of 60): 4-6.5%
-Social Security (SOCSO): 1.75%
-Employment Insurance (EIS): 0.2%
-Human Resource Development Fund (Companies with over 10 employees): 1%
- Firing and termination. In Malaysia, employees can be dismissed from their job for reasons including poor performance or general misconduct. If an employee is let go for reasons not connected to their conduct, then they are entitled to severance pay that is based on the length of their service.
Find Employees to Hire in Malaysia Today
Are you ready to find the best candidates in Malaysia? Follow the guidelines discussed above so you can attract top talent, choose the best employees for your company, and set yourself up for long-term success.
Do you need more help learning about Malaysian employment regulations or leveling up your hiring process? If so, check out GrabJobs. It’s affordable, effective, and easy to use. Give it a try today!
