5 Must-Know Tips for Effective Job Hunting in Jobstreet Malaysia

Job hunting and shifting careers may seem like an immensely challenging endeavour these days. The secret to an effective job search can be as simple as tweaking your profile. Read more tips to succeed at job hunting.

COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on the workforce around the world. JobStreet’s COVID-19 Job Report cites that 29% of job candidates have been affected. It is no surprise, then, that there is an increase in the number of people searching for jobs, with 54% of those surveyed saying they are actively on the hunt for employment. 

The chances of landing a job may look dire given these figures. But there are silver linings. In the same JobStreet report, 71% of employers say their decision to hire is “not affected by whether new candidates have lost their employment as an effect of COVID-19.” In fact, 24% are more likely to hire jobseekers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. 

The Malaysian government has also been taking steps to help jobseekers and employers alike in a bid to boost the economy. It aims to encourage companies to hire local jobseekers through PenjanaKerjaya, a hiring incentive programme under the National Economic Recovery Plan. 

While these are all wonderful perks, you still face a tough competition as a job hunter. How do you make sure your job search efforts are not in vain? Start by mapping out the next best step for your career. Then, take advantage of job search websites like JobStreet Malaysia. Here are ways how.

1.  Create or update your JobStreet Profile

Your JobStreet Profile serves as an overview of your qualifications. Hence, it is important that all information is up-to-date especially when you are actively looking for job opportunities. You would not want a potential employer clicking on your profile, only to find out your “latest” career highlights are already two years outdated.

Even if you are not on the lookout for a new job, it is practical to regularly freshen up your JobStreet profile in case a better opportunity comes along. Do so every six months, or whenever you have a new career achievement (say, a promotion or a recent workshop you participated in). Regularly updating your profile makes the task less tedious and time-consuming. 

How to create a JobStreet profile

Do not worry if you have no JobStreet profile yet. Creating one is just a breeze.

Step 1: Sign up for a JobStreet Malaysia account. You may opt to sign up with Facebook or fill out your basic details (First Name, Last Name, Email, and Password).

Step 2: Completely fill out the following details asked. You will be asked for your nationality, preferred specialisations, monthly salary expectation, state you are currently residing in, preferred work locations, and year you started working. Do not forget to state whether you have work experience or are a student/fresh graduate!

Step 3: Fill out the details of your highest educational attainment. You will be asked for the institute/university you graduated from and its address, your degree and field of study, and your graduation date.

Step 4: Fill out the details of your work experience. Indicate the company you are working for, as well as your position title and level, role, industry, specialization. You will also need to add the date you joined. Finally, after adding your mobile number, you can complete your profile.

How to update your JobStreet profile

If you already have an existing profile, make sure to keep it updated. Here is how.

Step 1: Click on the “MyJobStreet” tab on the upper portion of the JobStreet page.

Step 2: Click your name on the upper right section to access the dropdown list. Then, click “View Profile.”

Step 3: Click the “Create Profile” button and fill out the necessary information about your educational background, work experience, and your personal details. Make sure you fill in all the needed information and that there is no error message. 

When uploading your profile photo, choose a picture that is no older than six months. It should also be professional-looking; refrain from posting goofy or artsy photos that are otherwise more suited for social media.

1. Use the right keywords

When crafting your profile, be sure to include keywords that appear in the job posts you are eyeing. Words and phrases such as “effective team player,” “detail-oriented,” and “competent communication skills” found in job descriptions are qualifications employers look for in applicants. So, if you are confident that you possess such skills, do not hesitate to highlight them in your profile. You may also add #WorkNow if you are available to start immediately.

Keywords also play an important role when searching for #JobsThatMatter in JobStreet. Single keywords, like “engineer,” will yield results that contain the said keyword, albeit more generic. If you want to narrow down your search, type in all keywords or exact phrases, like “geodetic engineer” or “software engineer.” If, for instance, you prefer not to include a specific word in the search results, affix a minus sign at the beginning of the word (e.g., “advertising -executive” will show results of all advertising job posts without the mention of “executive”).

1. Create a strategy

Aside from refining keywords when doing job searches, it is also wise to come up with a strategy before embarking on a job hunt. Knowing what you are good at—both soft and hard or technical skills—and what you are interested in will give you a better idea of what jobs you can consider. Having a good command of the English language, whether written or oral, for example, can open up opportunities not only in the field of publication but also in public relations and corporate communications. 

Having a good grasp of your strengths will give you a better idea on where to start in an otherwise daunting task of job hunting. You can spare yourself from the pointless exercise of submitting applications to just about any job opening you come across. 

1. Download the mobile application

Download the JobStreet mobile app from Google Play or App Store so you can conveniently stay up-to-date with your job search. The mobile app also lets you filter your job search and manage your resume with just a few clicks. You can readily view the status of your job application on the go so you will not have to worry about missing notifications for possible job leads. 

1. Keep track of your job applications

Make a list of the companies and job posts you have applied to. This way, you can avoid the embarrassing mistake of applying to a job opening you have already responded to. It is also practical to keep track of your application dates for when you want to make a follow-up. Just be sure to do so sparingly, lest you appear overly needy.

Keeping track of your application status also allows you to plan your next steps. If an application remains stagnant, for instance, you can then strategise your next move. Keep in mind that employers may still be adjusting to new work setups due to the pandemic, so they may take time processing applications. While waiting, why not take the opportunity to learn a new skill? 

Looking for a job during a pandemic may not be an ideal scenario, but do not lose heart. Keep on trying. Polish that resume and find ways for self-improvement. For more insights on job hunting and career growth, visit the Career and Resources Hub.

At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation. 

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

About SEEK Asia

SEEK Asia, a combination of two leading brands JobStreet and JobsDB, is the leading job portal and Asia's preferred destination for candidates and hirers. SEEK Asia’s presence span across 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. SEEK Asia is part of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed SEEK Limited Company, the world's largest job portal by market capitalisation. SEEK Asia attracts over 400 million visits a year.

About SEEK Limited

SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprising a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people’s lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.