In recent years, various job portals in Malaysia such as JobStreet, Indeed, MyFutureJobs, and LinkedIn have seen a significant increase in the number of job advertisements across several sectors, including engineering and biotechnology. However, despite the apparent abundance of job vacancies, many graduates and professionals are facing a dearth of actual job opportunities. This phenomenon, known as facade job advertisements, leaves job seekers disillusioned and questioning the integrity of the hiring process.
On the surface, Malaysia’s job market seems vibrant, with companies actively seeking talented individuals to fill various roles. Job portals are filled with listings for engineering positions promising competitive salaries, career growth, and exciting challenges. However, a closer inspection reveals a different narrative, where job listings serve more as placeholders than actual opportunities. This raises the question of why there is a lack of hiring or whether these job advertisements are a scam. Facade job advertisements create an illusion of job availability without genuine intent to hire, and this deceptive practice has become increasingly prevalent in Malaysia’s job market since 2018.
Companies often advertise job openings to meet their recruitment Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), comply with regulatory requirements, cater to industry trends, or create a positive impression of their growth. However, these advertised positions may not align with actual hiring needs and can create false hopes for job seekers. In some cases, regulatory bodies or industry standards require companies to advertise vacancies publicly, even if there is no immediate intention to fill those positions. This can give hope to graduates and professionals, but it can also lead to frustration and disillusionment.
The facade job advertisement phenomenon has far-reaching consequences and can erode confidence, waste resources, and even lead to modern slavery. Therefore, there is a need for greater transparency and government intervention to address this issue comprehensively. The government can implement stricter regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure that job advertisements reflect genuine hiring needs and are not used as mere placeholders. Companies should provide realistic job descriptions, expected timelines for hiring, and the number of positions available to avoid misleading job seekers. In addition, the government can encourage collaboration between government agencies, industry associations, and employers to promote ethical hiring practices and discourage the proliferation of facade job advertisements.
In conclusion, the prevalence of facade job advertisements in Malaysia is a serious issue that needs urgent attention from the government, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders. By promoting transparency and ethical hiring practices, we can create a fair and safe job market for all.
It is crucial for companies and governments to provide adequate support and resources for job seekers. This includes training programs, career counseling, and platforms for reporting any unethical recruitment practices. Universities also have a responsibility to educate the public about the prevalence of misleading job advertisements and empower job seekers to make informed decisions when navigating the job market.
Addressing the issue of misleading job advertisements requires a multi-faceted approach that involves cooperation between government bodies, employers, and job seekers. By fostering transparency, accountability, and ethical recruitment practices, Malaysia can create a more equitable job market where opportunities are genuine and accessible to all qualified individuals.
In conclusion, the prevalence of misleading job advertisements in Malaysia’s engineering and biotechnology sectors highlights the need for systemic reforms and a reevaluation of recruitment practices. Only through collaborative efforts and a commitment to fairness and transparency can the job market truly fulfill its promise of opportunity and growth for aspiring professionals.
Ts. Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Composite Materials and Engineering Center, Washington State University (WSU), and a Lead Research and Development Sector of the Association of Professional Technicians and Technologists (APTT) Sarawak, and Ahmad Faisal Bin Mahdi is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty
of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), a Chartered Institute of Marketing member
