Top 12 Part Time Jobs for Students in Malaysia After High School
Have you recently graduated from high school? If so, working a part-time job might be the perfect option to help you transition into the workforce or prepare to enter university classes in a few months.
There are plenty of part-time jobs available in Malaysia right now — in fact, vacancies reached an all-time high of 748,907 in the fourth quarter of 2021, and there are still lots of options open. However, finding the right job that offers a good wage, works with your schedule, and lines up with your skills and goals for the future can be a bit more difficult.
Fortunately, this guide provides lots of insight into the best part-time jobs for students in Malaysia after high school.
Continue reading to find out about the benefits of part-time work, the top 12 part-time jobs for those who want to work while studying in Malaysia, and where to find these jobs. You’ll learn some specific considerations for international students to keep in mind, too.
8 Benefits of Working Part-Time After High School
The economy in Malaysia is slowly recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.9 percent in 2021 to 4.1 percent in January of 2022, and it seems to be trending in the right direction.
Although unemployment is dropping, there are still lots of people looking for work. This includes recent high school graduates who are entering the workforce for the first time.
If you’re part of this group, you might be wondering whether it’s better to stick to a part-time job or dive straight into a full-time position. Working full-time could be a good choice for some people, but working part-time after high school also has its benefits, including the following:
1. Enjoy a Smoother Transition
Let’s say you’re a recent high school graduate who’s never had a job before. Jumping into a full-time job might be a bit of a shock for you, and it may be hard to get used to doing so much work. If you start with a part-time job, though, you can enjoy a smoother transition and ease your way into the workforce.
2. Save Money While Focusing on Other Things
It’s true that you won’t be able to earn as much money if you only work part-time. However, you’ll still be able to put some money away each month.
Picking up a part-time job lets you save money while also focusing on other things, such as hobbies, university applications, and spending time with your family.
3. Make Time for Studying
Working part-time also allows you to make more time in your schedule for studying.
This benefit is noteworthy if you’re getting ready to attend university or if you are in the process of applying for university. In either case, you’ll need extra time to study, prep for exams, write admissions essays, and more, and a part-time job makes room for this.
4. Become More Organized and Responsible
In the wake of the pandemic, millions of students were relegated (at least for a short time) to learning from home. Although teachers and administrators worked hard to mimic the classroom environment, a lot of students struggled with staying organized, meeting deadlines, etc.
Do you feel that your organizational skills are lacking? If so, working part-time (especially doing admin work) will help you to sharpen them and improve your ability to meet deadlines, keep track of important details, and more.
5. Try New Things and Figure Out Your Future
Not everyone is ready to start a career right out of high school. If you’re not sure what you want to do with your life, working part-time will give you a chance to try out new things and figure out what kind of career might be the best fit for you.
6. Learn Fundamental Job Skills
A part-time job also gives you a chance to learn fundamental job skills, which will transfer to practically any other position you pick up in the future.
For example, working in retail sales will teach you customer service skills, time management skills, organizational skills, etc. Working in food service, on the other hand, will help you learn to keep things clean and organized while also helping you to manage your time effectively.
7. Build Up Your Resume and Network
A part-time job helps you to start building your resume and gaining valuable work experience. This, in turn, can make it easier for you to qualify for other jobs (including higher-paying jobs) in the future.
If you start working part-time now, you can also start building up your network. The more people you know, the easier it will be for you to get promoted or learn about other job openings later on.
8. Abide by Visa Restrictions
If you’re an international student, your only option in most cases is to work part-time. Having a part-time job allows you to earn some extra money without worrying about violating the rules and restrictions of your student visa.
Top 12 Part-Time Jobs for Students After High School in Malaysia
Are you convinced that a part-time job is a good fit for you? Are you ready to start earning a part-time job salary in Malaysia?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a recent high school graduate or a new university student who wants to bring in extra income. This list of the top 12 part-time jobs for students in Malaysia can point you in the right direction.
Here are some of the best and highest-paying part-time jobs for students in Malaysia that you can check out today.
Lots of people in Malaysia work part-time, a job as a cashier is one of the most popular options for these employees. From retail shops to petrol kiosks, plenty of businesses need help from cashiers who are reliable, detail-oriented, and organized. If this sounds like you, or if you want to develop these skills, applying for a job as a cashier might be a good option. – RM 11.23 per hour
Jobs in food service are also common among part-time employees and part-time job seekers in Malaysia.
Working as a kitchen crew member involves preparing and cooking food, cleaning up workstations, taking out the trash, and keeping the back of the restaurant organized and well-maintained. It’s a busy job that keeps you on your feet, and it doesn’t leave a lot of room for boredom. – RM 11.70 per hour
A part-time job as a retail sales assistant gives you a chance to sharpen your customer service skills, attention to detail, and time management skills.
Retail sales assistants work with customers to help them choose the right products. They also keep storefronts looking neat and organized and set up and take down displays.
This is another job that provides a lot of variety and is great for those who don’t want to do the same thing every day. – RM 15 per hour
For people who are highly organized and detail-oriented, a part-time job as an administrative assistant is an excellent choice.
This job allows you to communicate with lots of people on a daily basis and involves appointment scheduling, responding to emails and letters, directing client calls, and more. It may be a bit redundant at times, but it also teaches a lot of valuable and transferable skills. – RM 11.93 per hour
For those who love working with children, a job as a daycare teacher is an excellent choice.
Daycare teachers work with kids while their parents are at work and keep them entertained while also helping them learn basic skills like the alphabet or numbers. Daycare teachers must be enthusiastic and able to multitask, as kids rarely stay focused on one thing for very long. – RM 13.83 per hour
If you are skilled in a particular subject, a job as a tutor could be perfect for you. You can work with high school students or others who need help sharpening their skills and preparing for exams or university admissions.
Tutors can also set their own schedules and rates in most cases, and they may even be able to work remotely by connecting with students via video chat. – RM 21.59 per hour
Working as a rideshare driver is one highest-paying part-time jobs for students in Malaysia.
Companies like Grab rely on rideshare drivers to help them pick up customers and take them to their desired destinations quickly and safely. If you have a reliable vehicle and want a part-time job that keeps you on the go, being a rideshare driver is an excellent choice. – RM 26.35 per hour
For those who love animals (maybe even more than people), working as a pet sitter is a great part-time job. Pet sitters go to clients’ homes and care for their pets while they are at work or traveling.
This job doesn’t pay as much per hour as some of the other part-time jobs on this list. However, it’s also fun and relatively easy, which makes it a great side gig for those with busy schedules. – RM 10.48 per hour
Another part-time job that lets you work with kids is a job as a nanny or babysitter. Nannies and babysitters care for kids while their parents are working or traveling, so they provide a very valuable service. Working as a nanny or babysitter also provides a lot of flexibility, too. – RM 13.23 per hour
Cafe baristas work in cafes and coffee shops. They prepare beverages and snacks and deliver them to customers in a timely manner. This is a busy job that keeps you on your feet for hours at a time, but it also creates a lot of opportunities for you to improve your time management and customer service skills. – RM 13.17 per hour
Warehouse assistants work in warehouses and help with stocking shelves, tracking inventory, preparing packages to be delivered, and more.
A job as a warehouse assistant pays well and provides a flexible schedule. It does require a lot of physical labor, though, so it’s best for those who don’t mind doing lots of standing and lifting on a daily basis. – RM 12.43 per hour
Plenty of people in Malaysia work part-time as delivery drivers as well.
Delivery drivers work for various restaurants and help them to get orders to customers on time and to their exact specifications. A job as a delivery driver is a great option for those with good time management skills, as well as those who don’t mind being on the go throughout their entire shift. – RM 8.74 per hour
How to Find Part-Time Jobs as a Student in Malaysia
If you want to search for part-time jobs for students in Malaysia, there are plenty of places you can go. This list breaks down some of the top ways that you can learn about and apply for casual jobs for high school students, as well as part-time jobs for recent graduates and university students:
Online Job Sites
An online job site is one of the best places to start if you’re looking for part-time work in Malaysia.
GrabJobs, in particular, is an incredible site that makes it easier than ever for you to find part-time jobs.
You can search for openings on GrabJobs by location, job type, skill requirements, and more. This site is also used by over 5 million job seekers and features listings from thousands of companies from all over the world.
Classified Ads
Online classified ads and newspaper classified ads are also useful for part-time job seekers in Malaysia. These ads get updated at least once per day (if not more frequently). They often feature job listings that might not be shown on other platforms, too, so you can get your resume and application in before other job seekers beat you to the punch.
Social Media Groups
Social media isn’t just for connecting with friends and family. You can also use it to connect with companies that are seeking new employees.
Consider joining Facebook or LinkedIn groups geared toward part-time job seekers or job seekers in specific fields. That way, you can learn about new job openings and apply as soon as they become available.
Word of Mouth Referrals
Word of mouth is also an incredible tool for learning about new jobs.
Talk to your friends or family members and ask them if they know about part-time job openings in your desired field or that align with your preferred schedule. They might not know of anything right now, but they’ll at least know to keep their eyes and ears open for you.
Recruitment Agencies
Finally, consider reaching out to a recruitment agency.
Recruitment agencies work with you to prepare your resume and send it out to companies that may be hiring part-time employees. They also help to set up interviews and ensure you’re prepared to make a good impression when the big day arrives.
Information About Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Malaysia
When it comes to finding part-time jobs for students in Malaysia, international students need to keep some additional rules and regulations in mind. Before you start looking for part-time jobs in Malaysia for international students, be sure to follow the steps discussed below:
Remember Your Visa Requirements
The Education Malaysia Global Services website states that international students may not work more than 20 hours per week. They can only work during semester breaks as well as during holidays that last over 7 days.
There are limitations on where you can work, too, if you want to earn a part-time job salary in Malaysia for international students. This shortlist of job locations includes hotels, mini-markets, petrol kiosks, and restaurants.
With this information in mind, it’s safe to say that seeking out jobs like cashier or kitchen crew would likely be your best options.
Consult Your University Advisor
Before you start trying to bring in a part-time job salary in Malaysia for international students, it’s best to check with your university advisor, too. They can review your specific visa and provide up-to-date information on your work options and requirements.
The information in this guide can certainly point you in the right direction. However, your university advisor should always get the final say on what is or isn’t approved.
Key Takeaways
From working as a kitchen crew member to an administrative assistant position, there are lots of options for part-time jobs for students in Malaysia. Keep the information discussed in this guide in mind and you’ll have no trouble finding opportunities to work while studying in Malaysia.
If you’re ready to start looking for casual jobs for high school students or part-time jobs in Malaysia for international students, GrabJobs has got you covered. Check out GrabJobs today to see how our free search tool works.
Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash
