As the fifth largest economy in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a thriving country that offers a wide range of opportunities for those looking for a job or ready to build a career. The skills employers look for in Malaysia are numerous and far reaching, but there are some outstanding opportunities available for well-versed, all around employees.
Though the area has long been prominent in the agricultural and manufacturing industries, today, it is far more diverse and offers a much larger range of opportunities. Some of the most sought-after jobs are in the retail and service industries, while the technology and financial industries continue to grow here, too. As a growing economic engine, finding a job in Malaysia is far easier when you have any of these in-demand skills.
The Skills Employers Look For
The Public Services Commission of Malaysia, which provides oversight to the workforce in the country, notes that there are some increasingly experience-based skills necessary for some of the most in-demand jobs. The skills employers want are increasing in terms of technical and advanced education and training. Yet, phenomenal opportunities exist for those who have these skills that are in high demand.
Analytical Thinking
One of the most important areas of demand for companies today is in the area of analytical thinking. These jobs are some of the most competitive because companies absolutely need to remain competitive.
Competitiveness in a growing economy like that in Malaysia requires people who can take data and analyze it, coming up with solutions to problems or the “next best solution” to problems. People who are analytical thinkers are important, but there’s also demand for those who have digital and tech skills in this area as well including:
- Analytical computer skills
- Visualization tools and skills
- Organizational management skills and tools
- Effective change managers
Analytical thinkers have the ability to find the cause of a problem, understand why it is happening, and then create a solution that resolves the problem at its source. Those who can do this, with and without the use of computer technology have some of the most important skills employers look for in Malaysia.
Creative and Critical Thinking
These two areas do not always come together, but they are exceptional skills employers want. Critical thinkers are problem solvers. They take information and analyze it to create a solution in seemingly impossible situations. As essential skills for jobs in Malaysia, creative and critical thinkers are helping companies in numerous areas:
- Efficiency improvement in workflow and customer flow
- Creative solutions for solving new and challenging problems
- Creative solutions that encourage companies to grow and beat the competition
- Ambition to take on challenging jobs or impossible tasks
- Skill and desire to build the future of work within the country
Creative thinkers are what help companies to grow and stand out. As in-demand skills, it’s not always easy to be both a critical and a creative thinker, but those who master it will likely find key employment opportunities.
Technical Skills
Every employee application will undoubtedly ask about digital and technical skills. Technical skills is a broad term, though. Depending on the industry, tech jobs demand some of the most advanced skill sets. That includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer engineering and design skillsets. For those looking to find future job skills, the technical area cannot be overlooked.
Some of the most in-demand for computer- and technology-based organizations as well as corporate jobs include:
- Data management skill
- Cybersecurity
- AI tech development and adoption
- Data analytics
- Software development
These are rapidly becoming high-demand skills because more of the country’s employers are turning to the digital world to reach new customers, improve efficiency within workflow, and enhance customer and client experience. Talent with these tech skills are those with some of the most valuable job skills today.
Self-Awareness and Motivation
Skills for career growth start here. Companies are often willing to train and provide core skills to employees who need them. Yet, there is also an increased need for talent that is self-motivated and fully self-aware. As skills employers look for in Malaysia, incorporating these terms into your resume or CV can help you to stand out.
It has become a competitive job market, and motivated professionals who are willing to continue to learn and grow are some of the easiest people to hire. They know that their job is likely to change, grow, and diversify over time, and they are willing to be flexible and adaptive.
Some of the most important components of self-motivation and self-awareness job skills in demand in Malaysia include:
- Motivation to tackle challenges (companies want problem solvers)
- Authenticity in what they do and how they do it
- Empathy with customers and other team members, who can support each other in growth and expansion
- Emotional intelligence, including in problem-solving as well as in areas of communication and respect
- Motivated through realistic target development as well as strategies to improve skills, such as showing a desire to continue to learn and expand
Employers are more reliant than ever on their employees’ ability to meet the customer where they are. To do that, the employee needs to do more than just complete a set of tasks. Often, that means choosing those with skills that focus heavily on self-motivation and self-awareness. This allows employees to make more informed and effective decisions and handle tough situations with more confidence and better results.
Agility
Agility is not a new term, but it is one of the skills for career growth that has made its way into more sectors than ever before. Though agile workforce processes have been used for a long time, there is a new focus on improving employee agility.
That doesn’t mean you need to be a gymnast, but it does mean you need to be flexible. High-demand skills often focus on degrees and education, but this is one of those areas that are more specifically in tune with personality.
For example, a person who is considered agile from a workplace point of view will have skills such as:
- Embracing change
- Quickly adjusting to the needs of that moment
- Dynamic environment exposure and willingness to work
- Ability to adapt to changing client or customer needs
- Recovering swiftly from a setback
If you have these skills employers want, be sure to incorporate them into your CV or resume. They are certainly going to draw attention in a very diverse and growing employment outlook.
Multi-tasking
Another of the most valuable job skills employers want is the ability to multi-task. That doesn’t always mean just work harder or do more, though. Rather, it’s about being able to balance multiple tasks with equal attention to each. The focus here is on being able to handle more than one thing – leadership, supporting customers, and guiding others, for example.
Multi-tasking could mean being able to answer the phone while also dealing with a client in person. It may also include being able to divide your time to work on multiple projects at once. Again, the goal is not necessarily to do twice as much, but to use time wisely to accomplish more than one task.
This is critical in numerous positions, including customer-focused positions, as well as in jobs that are geared toward production and manufacturing. Some of the key aspects of these tasks include:
- Being computer and digital-minded and skilled while also being customer service-oriented
- Being a leader and a team player in achieving objectives
- Providing result-based and specific tasks while also thinking outside of the box to solve problems or create efficiencies
If you can do these types of tasks, you have some of the best skills for career growth in the Malaysian job market today. That can be supremely beneficial in many types of jobs.
Communication Skills
Every job views communication skills as a very valuable resource, and no matter the industry, there is an increasing demand for skills that enable you to communicate both in digital format and in person. Communication in the food and beverage, hospitality, and frontline worker positions is one of the most critical skills specifically.
Some examples of the communication skills employers are seeking out (and considered the most valuable job skills in some key positions) include:
- Good conversationalist, the ability to hold two-way conversations in a meaningful manner
- Team player communication, including the ability to collaborate and work as both a leader and a team member
- Active listening skills, especially in customer-first views
- Problem-solving communication, including gathering facts to provide solutions
Cultural Intelligence
Perhaps one of the least thought about but critically in-demand skills today is cultural intelligence, or the ability to understand the culture and needs of others and formulate communication, objectives, and solutions to meet those needs. Cultural intelligence skills are not simple, and it takes being an open-minded person who is willing and even eager to learn about other people, other ways of life, and diverse cultures that spread across the globe.
Some of the key skills that fall into this area include:
- Being able to understand cultural differences in work relationships
- Conflict resolution methods that enable you to help solve problems
- Cultural bias and stereotype understanding
Emotional Intelligence
As you think about high-demand skills, one area not to overlook is the importance of emotional intelligence. This is a unique trait that not many people have but one that is critical in today’s growing and diverse culture. Emotional intelligence refers to a person’s willingness to provide solutions and solve problems even if they do not agree with another party. Employers want to see these skills demonstrated with other employees as well as with customers. Some core aspects of emotional intelligence include:
- Problem resolving rather than building up further difficulties
- Making decisions that support positive mental health for all employees and customers
- Having the ability to understand and empathize with a customer’s needs and be able to apply that to creating results.
Final Thoughts
For those who are thinking about getting a job in today’s economy, standing out from the competition is critical (though it is rarely very easy to do!) Having the skills employers look for in Malaysia is critical.
The good news is that if you have some of these essential skills for jobs in Malaysia, you’ll find ample positions available to consider. Check out the current GrabJobs available in Malaysia to find out what the employers in your sector and area of interest are looking for in applicants.
FAQs
Working to refine your skills in these areas can be critically important to today’s employers. If you know you are lacking in some area, take on the desire to learn and have new experiences. That may mean putting yourself in situations where you can communicate and problem-solve. If you do not have work experience with any of these in-demand skills, consider how your everyday life applies.
Even if you are one of the most well-versed people in your field, you need to possess the most valuable job skills to land new positions. You can take courses or even explore remote learning opportunities that can provide you with a way to improve those core skills.
These future job skills and the most valuable job skills should be included in your resume. Incorporate the terms mentioned here on your CV and resume. Then, when heading into a job interview, be ready to share ways that you provided those skills or demonstrate how you developed those skills. Seeing these skills that employers want in Malaysia as worthy of being placed on your job resume can help you stand out from others.
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