Here’re The Most Attractive Companies In M’sia In 2021, Grads Are Voting Now For 2022

[This is a sponsored article with Talentbank.]

Hiring talent is dependent on a healthy balance of providing value between employees and employers. Employers expect a certain standard of work and contribution from hires, and usually employees desire to work at companies with an excellent brand reputation, work perks, and potential for career advancement.

Talentbank’s Graduates’ Choice Award (GCA) gives recognition to companies that are actively making changes in company culture to attract new talents. It’s important to listen to young voices because Generation Z will soon take up over a third of the global population.

It’s more than just bragging rights for the winners, the GCA also allows graduates and soon-to-be graduates to know which companies are highly sought after and preferred by their peers. This can motivate them to step up their game, stay ahead of the curve and stand out from the sea of talents, if they wish to be hired by those companies.

With GCA 2021’s results finalised, here are the most attractive companies in Malaysia according to the graduates.

Have Your Say: Talentbank is currently collecting votes from Graduates for GCA 2022. If you are a student of a university/college or you’ve just recently graduated within the last 12 months, you are eligible to vote.

1. Maybank
_{Champion in Overall Winners, Champion in Banking}

Maybank is one of Malaysia’s most prominent banks with more than 350 branches locally, and the bank employs more than 40,000 employees worldwide.

For graduates who are keen to apply to the company, they offer programmes such as the Global Maybank Apprentice Programme which are some of the upskilling programmes to develop a graduate’s skill on Risk Management, Product Strategy and more.

Maybank is also the GCA’s Champion in Banking for the third year in a row.

Open positions listed here.

2. Google
_{1st Runner-up in Overall Winners, Champion in Tech}

The world’s largest search engine needs no introduction and since its entrance into Malaysia back in 2011, they still remain as one of the most attractive companies to work for.

Fun fact: Google Malaysia’s current Managing Director, Marc Woo was Google Malaysia’s very first employee.

Former and current employees applauded the company’s work environment, free and healthy meals for employees and visitors from gerai gugel, as well as the company’s flexible working hours and casual dress code.

Open positions listed here.

3. Microsoft (Malaysia)
_{2nd Runner-up in Overall Winners, Runner-up In Tech}

Microsoft is yet another renowned name in the tech world. In 2020, Microsoft reported that they have more than 258 million paid seats worldwide (customers who have purchased) Office 365.

As listed on the company’s US Site, employees can benefit from employee discounts, flexible working hours and long maternity leaves. Local employees also noted that the company provides a free flow of snacks, fruits and drinks.

Open positions listed here.

4. Petroliam Nasional Berhad
_{Champion in Chemical, Engineering and Oil & Gas, Top 5 in Overall Winners}

According to former employees, Petroliam Nasional Berhad aka PETRONAS offers a competitive salary and good bonuses yearly—provided that you are up to the challenges that they set out for you.

The company also runs multiple programmes for graduates, such as the Graduate Employability Enhancement Scheme (GEES) and PETRONAS Education Scholarships Programme (PESP). Benefits for employees come in the form of flexible working arrangements, returnee programmes and extended maternity leaves.

Fun Fact: PETRONAS boasts a young workforce, with 56% of its employees being under the age of 36.

Open positions listed here.

5. Shopee Malaysia
_{Champion in E-Commerce, Top 5 in Overall Winners}

One of Malaysia’s largest e-commerce sites, Shopee has become a household name for many, especially during the pandemic.

That said, we recently wrote about Shopee’s Global Leaders Programme (GLP) which offers fresh graduates hands-on experience and leadership opportunities within the company. Graduates who enrolled under GLP get a chance to work overseas, provided with a competitive salary, and most importantly, your work can potentially shape the future of Shopee.

Open positions listed here.

6. Intel Malaysia
_{Champion in Electronics, 2nd Runner-up in Engineering and Tech, Top 10 in Overall Winners}

If you’ve owned a laptop or a PC, you might have noticed that tiny Intel sticker on the device. But, what you might not know is that 80% of laptop CPUs in the world utilise Intel processors.

Benefits of working with Intel include five bonus payouts a year (on top of mid-year and year-end bonuses), an employee discount on Intel stock, flexible working hours, exclusive employee discounts on Intel products, as well as relocation services if you were to move to a new location for work.

Open positions listed here.

7. CIMB
_{1st Runner-up in Banking, Top 10 in Overall Winners}

Specifically for graduates, CIMB has some unique programmes that might entice you to work for the bank. One of the programmes allows you to work for two different companies, and when you have completed the programme, you get to choose between the two for who you want to work for.

For example, the CIMB-Accenture Fusion programme allows a graduate to experience both consulting and banking work, with the first year spent in Accenture to gain experience in consultancy, and the second year in CIMB for a holistic overview of the banking industry.

One of the major benefits of working with CIMB is its Staff Rejuvenation Programme. It allows employees to take up to six months off their job to tend to life matters and return to work in the same position without risking employment.

Open positions listed here.

8. Shell Malaysia
_{1st Runner-up in Engineering and Oil & Gas, 2nd Runner-up in Shared Services, Top 10 in Overall Winners}

Shell is one of the world’s largest petrochemical and energy companies, boasting around 86k employees in more than 70 countries.

The company is also one of the first to implement diversity and inclusion in the workplace. For example, Shell has implemented women-specific programmes such as the Women’s Career Development Programme (WCDP) and Shell Women’s Action Network (SWAN) to further empower women’s development in the company.

However, graduates who are moving onto Shell should expect challenging work daily with a high level of responsibility. But your efforts will be rewarded through performance-related pay, along with opportunities for rapid progression.

Open positions listed here.

9. Celcom Axiata Berhad
_{Champion in Telecommunication, Top 10 in Overall Winners}

Celcom is one of Malaysia’s first mobile operator networks as it was established back in 1988. It’s also part of the Axiata Group, which has other brands like the e-wallet Boost and the digital marketing agency ADA.

If you do enrol into the Axiata Graduate Programme, you get the chance to work with other brands under Axiata such as Boost, Axiata Digital and so on, exposing you to different industries as you work.

The programme specifically looks for leaders who are willing and capable of picking up skills rapidly. Once you have completed the programme, you can potentially secure a permanent placement under one of Axiata’s brands.

According to past employees, employee benefits come in the form of mobile phone allowance, employee discounts and a comprehensive insurance package.

Open positions listed here. 

10. PwC Malaysia
_{Champion in Accounting & Professional Services, Top 5 in Consulting, Top 10 in Overall Winners}

PwC is one of the big four accounting firms globally, and in 2020, the firm reported revenues of US$43 billion too. In Malaysia, the firm employs over 3,000 employees in 7 locations.

When it comes to employee benefits, the firm is quite vocal and transparent in what they offer.

Through flex+, employees can have a reduced workweek to focus on their children or ageing parents. They’re also entitled to flexFridays, which allows them to leave work early every second Friday of the month.

Open positions listed here.

Other Noteworthy Companies Graduates Find Attractive

Aside from the companies mentioned above, here are the other companies that the graduates still voted for as an attractive company they’d like to work for in their different categories:

Graduates, Cast Your Vote

As mentioned, Talentbank is looking for graduate votes for GCA 2022. If you are a student of a university/college or you’ve just recently graduated within the last 12 months, you are eligible to vote.

If you do vote and refer other university/colleague friends too, you stand a chance to win prizes ranging from an Apple Macbook Pro worth RM5,600, a GoPro HERO 5 Black worth RM1,559, online shopping vouchers, and more.

• For more information on Talentbank’s Graduates’ Choice Awards, click here.
• To vote for the upcoming round of Graduates’ Choice Awards, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Steven Leach Group