Finding “the one” might be tough, but for a lot of Malaysians, landing a good job seems even harder with 34% of them saying it’s more challenging than finding a long-term romantic partner.
They can’t seem to find their “perfect match”
According to a survey by the job search platform JobStreet by Seek, it was found that a lot of employees are finding it tough to land jobs that really match their skills, experience, and career goals.
Almost two-thirds or 63% of respondents feel it’s gotten harder to find jobs that fit their skills and preferences compared to when they first started working.
The survey also pointed out that part of the problem is the uncertainty about long-term job satisfaction, with only 18% of employees saying their current job is a perfect match for their skills.
“Hey boss, it’s not you, it’s me”
Young talents are all about finding roles where their skills shine, but money still talks. The survey shows that 4 out of 5 Malaysian employees would take a job with a great salary and benefits, even if it doesn’t fit their long-term career plans.
Younger Malaysians aren’t willing to settle, with 55% of workers aged 24 and below saying they’ll look for a new job within a year if their current one doesn’t match their career goals.
This drive to move on drops with age with only 35% of workers aged 25-34 and 26% of those aged 45-54 saying they would do the same.
These findings show a clear difference between generations, with younger workers focusing more on career growth and alignment rather than long-term job security.
They say there are plenty of fish in the sea…
The push for advancement among younger workers should get employers thinking about how they can change their retention strategies, especially in highly-skilled industries, to keep their talent.
Temporary and part-time roles, along with other non-standard job setups, could make career paths even shakier for young and fresh grads trying to build their careers.
Youth unemployment and underemployment are still big issues, with 37.4% of those with tertiary education stuck in semi-skilled or low-skilled jobs, highlighting the need for more high-skilled opportunities.
When it comes to job dissatisfaction, pay is the top issue across all age groups, with 55% of people pointing it out, beating concerns like limited career growth and poor work-life balance, which both stand at 31%.
Come to think of it, even Cupid has a job… So, what’s holding you back? Share your thoughts in the comments below!