2020 marks the third year of Graduates’ Choice Awards (GCA), an awards event held by Talentbank to showcase graduates’ top choices of employers in Malaysia.
For this year, they got over 24,000 graduates from private and public universities in Malaysia to vote for who they thought were the most attractive employers to work for in 2021.
The results were the culmination of votes obtained from the students between September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020.
To ensure its legitimacy, the GCA results were reviewed by an audit board made up of career services practitioners from diverse universities.
There were 700 companies across 35 industries to choose from, and here are this year’s top 10, as per the graduates’ choices.
1. Maybank
Maybank has held the top position for its second year in a row.
Established in 1960, Maybank Group offers a range of products and services including commercial, investment, and Islamic banking, insurance, and venture capital to name a few.
It’s been awarded for its Outstanding Practise in Work-life Integration Initiative at the Life At Work 2019 Awards.
They’ve also been named the Best Private Bank Overall (ASEAN) for the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2020.
Based on their reputation in being one of the best banking companies in SEA, it suggests that the workplace makes for a great opportunity for employees to transfer overseas.
Some current job openings offered by Maybank are:
- Business Analyst, TB – Cash Channel, Transaction Banking
- Assistant Manager, Client Coverage
- Senior Dealer, Rates
- Maybank Young Banker Internship Programme
Check them out and get hired here.
2. Google
Google LLC needs no introduction for what they do. The tech giant was started in the US and opened their Malaysian office in 2011.
Google Malaysia is mainly a marketing and sales hub specilaising in efforts like the Google Display Network, which places ads on news sites and blogs.
The Malaysian team also localises Google’s platform in populating Google Maps with real-time traffic data and Streetview.
One way Google Malaysia adds to its status as an attractive employer is through their Gerai Gugel cafeteria that provids daily catered lunch buffets. Who doesn’t love free meals?
They didn’t make the previous year’s list of 2019/2020’s Most Attractive Employer Brands as it only highlighted the top 5.
A few of their open positions are:
- Vendor Manager, Google Customer Care
- Platform Account Manager, Google Marketing Platform
- Enterprise Field Sales Representative, Google Cloud, Public Sector
- Ads Marketing Manager
Check them out and get hired here.
3. Microsoft
A new name to the GCA list this year is Microsoft Malaysia.
Founded here in 1992, the local office manages the wholesale distribution of computers, computer peripheral equipments, and its computer softwares.
Some of the benefits which may attract aspiring graduates to work here are the discounts provided for Microsoft’s products and services.
The job openings for the company include:
- Customer Success Account Manager
- Delivery Management (DM) Manager
- Partner/Chanel marketing Manager
- Specialist (Dynamics 365 CRM)
Check them out and get hired here.
4. Petronas
Petroliam Nasional Berhad, commonly known as Petronas, is a Malaysian oil and gas company established in 1974.
It has fallen 2 positions from being the 2nd last year on GCA’s Most Attractive Employers list.
My take on why students want to work here is having the prestige of working for a big local name that’s fully owned by the government, plus its rumoured high pay.
Graduates might also be attracted to work at Petronas due to the chance of getting a guaranteed job, at least temporarily.
Students that have gotten uni scholarships from Petronas are obligated to serve at the company for at least 2 years upon completion of their studies.
The company is looking for these openings:
- Senior Graphic Designer – Temporary Contract
- Marketing Executive
- Executive, Transformation Office
- Manager, LEAD Academy & Competence Development (APAC)
Check them out and get hired here.
5. Shopee
Another new name to this year’s list is Shopee.
The Singaporean ecommerce platform was launched in 2015 and expanded its presence here that same year.
What makes Shopee an attractive workplace to graduates are possibly its learning and development opportunities and vibrant office which has a pool table and cozy beanbags in meeting rooms.
The platform also offers many job opportunities to employees ranging from different fields of studies, making it accessible to graduates and experienced professionals alike.
The positions they’re looking to fill are:
- Video Editor
- Trainer – Seller Community
- Strategic Project Management (Seller Community Management)
- Business Development – Admin (Seller Management)
Check them out and get hired here.
6. Intel
If you own a Lenovo, HP, and Dell laptop, look down at the bottom of your keyboard and you’ll most likely find Intel’s blue sticker.
Intel Malaysia operates in Kedah and Penang with involvement in the fields of design, manufacturing, IT, finance, along with marketing and sales.
Employees there are involved in the company’s innovation in microprocessors, chipsets, and other computing products.
One thing that could possibly attract graduates to work here is the fact that Intel Malaysia transparently shows off their employee benefits and rewards.
An eye catching one was their stock benefits, where employees at all levels are granted Restricted Stock Units which can be converted into stock to be bought and sold in the market.
Eligible employees can also buy Intel stock at a discount twice a year through their Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
A few of their open positions are:
- Process Equipment Engineer
- Yield Engineer
- Manufacturing Technician
- NPI Lead Intergrator
Check them out and get hired here.
7. CIMB
CIMB stands for Commerce International Merchant Bankers.
Founded in 2006, CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has core markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
Some of their business activities include consumer banking, investment and corporate banking as well as treasury and markets, to name a few.
What makes CIMB attractive to graduates is their graduate programmes which have been praised for taking gender equality in the workplace seriously.
These efforts have also gotten them recognised as the Best Malaysian Organisation and Outstanding Practice for its Talent Development Initiative at TalentCorp’s 2019 awards.
Some job openings they currently have are:
- Senior Associate
- Associate Director
- Marketing Executive (Hire Purchase)
- Shahriah Treasury Manager
Check them out and get hired here.
8. Shell
Royal Dutch Shell was originally formed in 1907 in the Netherlands. 7 years later, the group built Malaysia’s first oil refinery and laid a submarine pipeline in Miri.
Part of what makes Shell an attractive employer is in their graduate programme where students are given the responsibility of handling real life projetcs.
Some graduates have also had the opportunity to go for international assignments in the Netherlands.
A few of their available job openings at the moment are:
- Delivery Assurance Analyst
- Project Development Engineer
- HR Advisor
- Automation Specialist
Check them out and get hired here.
9. Celcom
Celcom Axiata Berhad is a member of the Axiata group of companies and the oldest mobile telecommunications provider in Malaysia.
The company has product and marketing agreements with international mobile provider Vodafone, Google, and Maybank.
One of the more attractive benefits from working with Celcom according to past employees are the phone benefits provided in the form of vouchers for new phones and free SIM cards.
They are hiring roles for both professionals and fresh grads:
- Account Management (Solutions)
- Technical Quality Assurance
- Protege Trainee – Group Finance
- Protege Trainee – Group Customer Experience (CX)
Check them out and get hired here.
10. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
PricewaterhouseCoopers started in London and provides a range of financial services including in quality assurance, advisory, and tax services to companies.
Considered the best of the Big Four accounting firms in Malaysia due to its volume of clients, PwC Malaysia is one of the most sought-out career paths for ACCA graduates.
They’ve dropped 5 positions from their ranking on GCA’s Most Attractive Employer Brands list last year.
Some of their opening positions are:
- Risk Assurance Services Associate
- Tax Associate
- Aspiring Accountants Programme
- Junior Xplorer
Check them out and get hired here.
- You can read more job searching related articles here.
Featured Image Credit: Ben Ho, founder & CEO of Talentbank
