11% decline in online hiring between April 2016 and 2017

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia saw an 11% decline in online hiring between April 2016 and 2017 – similar to the fall it reported in March – according to the latest Monster Employment Index (MEI).
Monster.com – Apac and Middle East, managing director Sanjay Modi said while hiring momentum between March and April has softened, the IT, Telecom/ ISP and BPO/Ites sector remained the leading industry in online recruitment, reporting 12% growth between April 2016 and 2017.
He added that similar to the previous month, the retail sector continued to fare the worst among all job sectors at 36% year-on-year in April.
The MEI is a gauge of online job posting activities compiled monthly by Monster.com and it records the industries and occupations that show the highest and lowest growth in recruitment activity locally.
The Index does not reflect the trend of any one advertiser or source, but is an aggregate measure of the change in job listings across the industry.
Sanjay said across the occupational groups monitored by the Index, Sales and Business Development roles were most in demand, registering nine percent year-on-year growth in online hiring April.
He said customer service professionals continued to fare the worst, exhibiting a sharp 60% annual decline – dipping further from the 58% annual decline recorded in March.
"While fluctuations in the Malaysian labour market persist, it is pertinent for businesses to devise a talent strategy that minimises the skills mismatch between that of fresh graduates and what industry requires currently," said he said
He added that the global workforce is in a constant flux and it is vital for the government, industry and educational institutions to work in sync and support workers in mid-careers to upskill.
He said with sales and business development roles taking the lead, candidates with a keen perspective eye and a flair for commercial acumen will be most in demand.
"Malaysia needs to address the country's skills challenges and help the economy towards its goal of achieving the high-income status by 2020," Sanjay said.