Employers’ Expectation and Preference of Graduates in Malaysia

Authors

  • Ilhaamie Abdul Ghani Azmi Abdul Ghani Azmi

Abstract

Abstract: The objectives of this study are to examine the causes of graduates’ unemployability, preferences of employers, employer expectation towards graduates, the most essential skills and good quality graduates in terms of attitudes towards work and personality in Malaysia. Qualitative method is engaged whereby semi-structured interview is conducted among eight selected employers who are big and medium-size organizations in Malaysia. Interview data obtained are analyzed according to themes. The results show that the leading cause of unemployability of graduates is lack of soft skills especially communication skill. Type of university, whether local or overseas, is the preference of the graduate to be employed. Employers expect graduates to be equipped with social skills, whereby communication skills top the list. Good quality graduates as perceived by employers as important are emotional intelligence, long-life learning and fast learner.  Some solutions are proposed by employers to mitigate the problem.

 

Keywords: Employability, Preference, Expectation, Graduate, Malaysia

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How to Cite

Abdul Ghani Azmi, I. A. G. A. (2021). Employers’ Expectation and Preference of Graduates in Malaysia. Journal of Human Capital Development (JHCD), 13(2), 37–60. Retrieved from https://jhcd.utem.edu.my/jhcd/article/view/6163

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2020)

Section

Skills and Competency Development

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