The labour market in Kuala Lumpur
Due to recent changes in the global economy, the labour market in Malaysia has undergone some transformations. Except from a few exceptions, specialization levels that are being professionally required are constantly mutating, like everywhere else. While there are many career opportunities in Kuala Lumpur, it is still a competitive playing field where ambition and willingness to work overtime are key to any successful career.
Whereas the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia has triggered so many changes in the country, including a sharp slowdown in the labour market in Kuala Lumpur, signs of recovery have started to show. As of the end of 2021, especially with the partial and phased reopening of national borders, it has become less difficult for expatriates to find work, again, in the former Malaysian administrative capital. Just like before, there are still more professional opportunities in Kuala Lumpur and its outskirts than elsewhere in Malaysia.
For instance, medical specialists are constantly called upon to ensure the proper functioning of KL's health system. However, even if the city has a large number of general practitioners, specialty medicine is still inadequately represented. Private clinics and medical institutions dedicated to the expatriate population often need to hire foreign doctors with renowned degrees and prolific experience.
As a matter of fact, there is a constant demand for high-end professionals in Malaysia and in Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to the rapid pace of urbanization, civil and structural engineers are highly prized for keeping public and private infrastructure at the cutting edge of technology. On the other side, the government has been announcing numerous infrastructure projects that aim at promoting economic recovery, hence the high demand for Mechanical engineers too. So goes for petroleum engineers, as Malaysia is one of the world's largest oil exporters. In 2020, the country was ranked 21st among heavy oil-exporting countries in the world, and 27th in 2022. This industry continues to grow and is among the Top 10 fastest growing economic sectors in Malaysia. The demand for qualified professionals in this field is therefore increasing.
Linguistic expertise is also a major asset in KL. The city hosts a good bunch of international schools, private colleges and universities that are always on the lookout for additional language teachers. There is noticeably a high demand for European languages and their relevant trainers. As such, native speakers especially will most easily find students.
The advent and speedy rise of the higher education industry in Malaysia, and especially in Kuala Lumpur, also mean that universities and colleges are steadily expanding their research and teaching departments. Many foreigners are now being employed via transfers from overseas branches or through direct recruitment.
The technology industry in KL is a very promising sector for anyone. The authorities who have launched a vast national digitalization campaign, are now encouraging companies to invest in new technologies, and hire high-end software developers and other technology experts in order to maintain their businesses up to date and upgraded. Generally, these jobs are based more on experience and skills than on professional qualifications.
The business sector in Malaysia and especially in Kuala Lumpur is a very competitive one. There are indeed very many highly qualified graduates working there and often competing for the same positions. But there are also, for instance, companies that hire communication experts as well as graphic designers who only have to show off their creativity levels. In addition, the trend in recent years has been to favour hybrid skills and candidates who can quickly adapt to various professional situations.
As a rule of thumb in Kuala Lumpur, even if this may not be the case in all lines of business, academic qualifications are very often no greater advantage over the skills and experience of the candidate. For example, many employers will look for language expertise (local and foreign), whereas others will favour the demonstration of a potential employee's abilities. Networking in Kuala Lumpur is also essential when looking for a job, as it will allow you to stand out from the crowd of highly qualified candidates in this highly competitive market.
Obviously so, it often pays to be bold and creative. Companies not only value candidates who can show a multi-sector approach, but also highly consider those who are willing to commit to the company for at least two to three years or more. Starting salaries may not be as attractive as in your home country, but you can expect regular increases and promotions based on your performance.
There are many job opportunities available to you if you are able to make smart use of the multiple resources available to foreigners who wish to settle in Kuala Lumpur.
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