Jobs in Malaysia: Top Recruiters and Average Salary

Malaysia is fast becoming one of the most preferred places to study and work for aspirants. In 2022, international enrollment soared between 130,000-170,000, with India prominently positioned among the top five contributing markets, underscoring the global appeal of education in Malaysia. Malaysia is pulling out the stops to ensure a healthy environment for international students. Add to that its thriving job market, and you get a win-win scenario for the future. On that note, here’s a guide to available jobs in Malaysia for international graduates.  

Reasons to Work in Malaysia 

Why should you work in Malaysia? Here are a few pointers worth noting in this regard. 

• Bolstered by political stability and a thriving economy, Malaysia stands as a welcoming destination with a projected economic growth of 3.9% this year, expected to elevate to 4.3% by 2024, as outlined in the World Bank Malaysia Economic Monitor report.
• The country is also a paradise for those who love gourmet food, spanning cuisines from China, India, Thailand, the Middle East, Japan, Korea, and more such regions. 
• Another reason to explore available job opportunities in Malaysia is the lower cost of living in the country. From meals priced at less than USD$3 to a fully-furnished serviced apartment home in Kuala Lumpur at approximately USD$500, everything is comparatively reasonable if we talk about its neighboring country, Singapore.
• Malaysia is one of Asia’s most beautiful destinations, with lovely sunshine throughout the year and breathtaking landscapes encompassing Mount Kinabalu and Pangkor Island, among other regions. 
• There are numerous Malaysian jobs for Indians and other international students due to the flourishing job market. The country has a diverse workforce with a sizable population of expats and competitive salaries across professions. 

Eligibility Criteria for International Students to Work in Malaysia

There are varying eligibility criteria for job opportunities in Malaysia. Some of the key aspects include the following: 

• Credentials and qualifications may have to be explained to employers, making sure that they are equivalent to the MQF (Malaysian Qualifications Framework). 
• Relevant skills, academic experience, and professional expertise as per the job in question. 
• Employment Pass (EP) which is the work permit enabling expatriates to take up employment. It is subject to the contract of employment (up to 60 months) and requires approval from the Expatriate Committee. 
• The Malaysian Visa Application Center (VAC) website requires documentation and work visa applications along with payment of fees. The documents required include the signed application form, valid proof of identity, employment letter, past testimonials of employment, criminal records, educational credentials, and a detailed description of work/employment. 

Part-Time Jobs in Malaysia 

Students can only work for 20 hours each week and only during semester breaks. The student visa officer should be consulted at the international office of the institution for this purpose. International students with valid student passes can work in sectors like petrol kiosks, restaurants, hotels, and mini-markets. 

Applying for part-time jobs encompasses submitting the supporting letter (valid reason to work part-time), photocopy of passport pages, contact number, email, and address, offer letter from the potential employer, indicating salary, position, and working hours, supporting letter from the head/dean of the institution, academic calendar, and so on. The work application should be submitted to the immigration department for final approval, while students may be interviewed thereafter before the application is declined/approved. The passports of students with approved applications will accordingly be endorsed. 

Top Recruiters in Malaysia

Some of the leading Malaysian recruiters include the following: 

• Maybank
• PChem
• Tenaga Nasional Berhad
• CIMB Group
• IHH Healthcare
• PetGas
• Hong Leong Bank
• MISC Berhad
• Nestle Malaysia
• PBBank

Average Salary for International Students in Malaysia 

Here are the average salaries for entry-level jobs in Malaysia: 

Job Positions	Average Salary (Per Month)
Software Specialists	RM4,500
Logistics Executives	RM3,600
Sales & Marketing Executive	RM3,500
Lecturer/Professor	RM3,400
Accountants	RM3,300
Civil Engineer	RM3,250
Customer Service Officer	RM3,250
Business Analyst	RM3,250
Digital Marketer	RM3,150
Lab Technician	RM3,050

*Salary information for various positions is subject to change and may vary based on factors such as experience, location, and industry trends.

Tips to Find Jobs in Malaysia as a Fresher

Here are some tips for freshers to find jobs in Malaysia. 

• A good way to boost your CV and improve your professional experience is to find work in seasonal, summer, and part-time jobs. You can also check out volunteering organizations in Malaysia for this purpose. 
• There are several opportunities in public schools, international schools, and private language academies as well. You will find several vacancies at platforms like Teach Away, TEFL.com, and more. 
• There are several internships that employers offer with durations of 1-3 months. Graduan is a good place to find more opportunities. 
• Try to build a working knowledge of Malay (the local language in Malaysia) to help secure employment faster. Mandarin, which is widely spoken in China, can also help you build a competitive advantage. 
• Make sure that you can explain your qualifications to employers based on the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF). 
• Reach out to your preferred companies while also looking up the Malaysia Job Directory. 
• Some of the top job search sites like MyStarjob, Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, and JobStreet can also be checked in this regard. 
• Determine your eligibility in terms of your degrees and skill sets before applying to specific jobs. 
• Apply for work permits and visas while keeping your documents ready to show to potential employers. 

Read More About Study in Malaysia:

• Cost of Living in Malaysia
• Reasons to study in Malaysia
• Medical Colleges in Malaysia
• MBBS in Malaysia