For fresh graduates, securing a job that aligns with their field of study and brings satisfaction is often one of the most challenging tasks.
In Malaysia, this difficulty is exacerbated by the high number of graduates competing for job placements, a situation made even more challenging in the post-pandemic landscape. While some graduates are fortunate enough to land a job within a week or two, many others spend months searching for a suitable position.
One crucial factor in job searching is meeting the company’s criteria while considering the base pay, as the cost of living often does not align with the offered salaries.
Consequently, many graduates remain unemployed despite having excellent grades. One significant barrier to employment is the lack of work experience.
Man Disagrees On Entry-Level Job Candidates Needing Work Experience To Work
Dear HR,
— Azeem Syuk (@AzeemSyuk) June 4, 2024
Entry-level jobs sepatutnya memerlukan 0 tahun pengalaman.
Bukan 1 tahun. Bukan 2 tahun. Bukan 3-5 tahun.
3-5 tahun pengalaman kerja patut untuk level manager.
Tujuan utama entry-level ni untuk bagi peluang kat seseorang memulakan kerjaya dan untuk grow.
Setuju?
Recently, a post went viral on X by user @AzeemSyuk, criticizing the attitude of a company's human resource department for requiring work experience from graduates applying for entry-level positions.
For those unfamiliar, an entry-level job is typically the first position in the organizational chart, designed for recent graduates to begin their careers.
Azeem pointed out that this particular company demanded several years of work experience for an entry-level role, which he found inappropriate. He emphasized that these jobs should require zero years of experience, as they are meant to provide fresh graduates with an opportunity to start their careers.
Netizens Agree That Entry-Level Jobs Do Not Require Work Experience
Scrolling through the comments, many netizens voiced their opinions, agreeing that rejecting a candidate's application due to a lack of work experience is inappropriate for entry-level positions, which are primarily targeted at fresh graduates.
Some also pointed out that if employers seek candidates with work experience, they should look for those applying for higher-level positions, not entry-level roles meant for newcomers.
Here’s some of the comments:
Setuju. However, if you can get better candidates with some experience at the same price why not. Cuma, tak bagus lah kalau reject candidate dgn alasan dia tak ada pengalaman bila job tu terang2 entry level. There's no right or wrong dlm soal hiring. Fikirkan apa yg terbaik dalam…
— Ismail Nz (@IsmailNZ) June 4, 2024
Dik, 3-5 thn tahap senior exec jer…nk jd asstnt manager pun blom lagi kecuali kalu u anak owner megah holding😅 itu ZERO experience terus managing director 😂😂😂
— yabadabedooo (@wannabi2024) June 4, 2024
Baru nampak semalam, request Intern tapi experience 1 tahun. Hahah. Mungkin sistem tak boleh letak 0 experience la kut
— Paan (@paih_paan) June 4, 2024
Tak ada boss sekarang yang ada masa untuk bagi training orang baru. You ada pengalaman, you dapat kerja.
— Amy Lee Qian Xiong (@AmyLeeQianXiong) June 4, 2024
As a HR ya i setuju! Selalu saya bagi peluang kepada fresh grade. Cuma agak terkejut sebab ramai juga fresh grade apply kerja manager level. Sepatutnya baca dulu JD & JR. By the way hope all fresh grade dipermudahkan urusan mendapatkan pekerjaan yang diidamkan.
— Wanie Wardiah (@PsychoticMania) June 5, 2024
Setuju. Antara sbb aku masih jobless. Nak tukar bidang tp nak pengalaman 1-2 tahun dkt bidang tu. Last2 aku stuck in limbo
— Alex. 🇲🇾 (@alexanderfaiz94) June 4, 2024
Ultimately, hiring managers seek candidates with the most diverse skill sets, as the current job market in Malaysia demands versatility and a broad range of abilities.
To stand out, we can enhance our skill sets by taking online courses and earning certifications in specific fields. For example, Google’s Career Certificates offer valuable opportunities to gain expertise and improve employability.
Hopefully, companies hiring for entry-level positions will become more flexible and recognize that many fresh graduates are eager to learn and grow. Entry-level jobs should be seen as opportunities for these graduates to gain experience and receive training, rather than expecting them to come in with extensive knowledge. By providing a supportive environment, employers can help nurture the next generation of skilled professionals.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media & various cross-references for context.
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