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Salary, work-life balance, and career progression remain the most important factors for jobseekers in Malaysia, according to findings from Jobstreet by SEEK’s Talent Attraction Lab. This newly introduced online platform delivers real-time market data, assisting employers in optimising their recruitment strategies to attract and retain skilled professionals in an evolving job market.
Drawing from feedback from more than 33,000 candidates across Asia-Pacific, including over 14,600 from Asia, the Talent Attraction Lab highlights jobseekers’ main concerns. The research indicates that 16.6% of Malaysian jobseekers consider salary and compensation as their primary factor in making employment decisions. Work-life balance follows closely at 14.4%, with employees placing emphasis on additional leave, fair overtime pay, and consistent working hours. Career growth ranks third at 13.9%, as professionals seek structured career paths, promotional opportunities, and skill development initiatives.
Additionally, workplace culture and management quality play a growing role in job satisfaction, with 12.5% of jobseekers valuing a fair and collaborative work environment. Job security and a company’s industry position (9.1%) also remain key considerations, particularly for mid-career and senior professionals.
Key Factors Behind Employee Turnover
The study also reveals major reasons for employee resignations. Low salaries and inadequate benefits (38.9%) remain the primary concern, followed by limited career growth opportunities (33.2%). Notably, workplace culture and management quality have increased in importance, moving from 10th to 8th place since 2017, reflecting shifting workplace expectations.
“As Malaysia’s employment landscape becomes more competitive, companies need smarter approaches to attract and retain top talent,” said Nicholas Lam, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia. “Our latest findings underscore evolving jobseeker priorities and the necessity of a strong employer brand. Tools like SEEK Pass empower businesses to make confident hiring decisions by providing verified candidate credentials.”
Enhancing Recruitment with SEEK Pass
SEEK Pass, a credential verification tool available in six Asian markets, including Malaysia, allows jobseekers to authenticate their work history, helping them stand out in the hiring process. This feature enables employers to confidently shortlist candidates, minimising recruitment risks and improving efficiency.
Strategies for Securing and Retaining Talent
To attract top professionals, businesses must ensure salaries are competitive with industry benchmarks and conduct periodic reviews. Providing well-defined career advancement opportunities, mentorship programmes, and continuous learning initiatives can help sustain employee motivation. Additionally, fostering a healthy work-life balance through flexible work arrangements and extra leave benefits enhances job satisfaction. A positive workplace culture built on fairness, collaboration, and professional growth also plays a significant role in employee retention.
The Talent Attraction Lab dashboard offers real-time insights into jobseeker preferences, helping employers:
Align Employee Value Propositions (EVP) with market trends.
Optimise job postings to attract qualified candidates.
Build a work culture that fosters employee well-being and career development.
Explore the platform at https://my.employer.seek.com/market-insights/talent-attraction-lab
