Moving into 2022, digital transformation will play a key role in shaping growth strategies for companies, in line with the government’s push for digitalisation, and is expected to create new roles in some sectors and changing role requirements in others. 

“We will continue to see an accelerated pace of digitalisation and virtualisation not just of businesses but also in our way of life. Regardless of sector or role, candidates should take the initiative to develop their digital skills and knowledge, to ensure they are prepared for a new world of work,” says Tom Osborne, Managing Director of Hays Malaysia. 

At the same time, people have also been changing their approach to evaluating potential jobs. The disruption caused by the pandemic has spurred people to reflect on what they want to get out of their careers, making them more selective about the companies they choose to join. 

“Candidates are increasingly asking employers for flexibility to work from home and for assurance of a better work-life balance,” says Tom. “Additionally, candidates are also increasingly choosing companies with an automated or integrated tech ecosystem over those that still operate within a manual environment.” 

This means that digitalisation and digital transformation should be a core part of talent attraction and retention strategies for 2022 as companies prepare for a return to growth and rising headcounts. At the same time, Tom advises candidates to continue upskilling to confidently meet shifting requirements in a rapidly changing world. 

“As companies assess their needs, the criteria for roles might evolve. Candidates looking for enter the job market should take the initiative to develop relevant skills and keep abreast of what’s happening in their field to prove their relevance and value.”

Here are Malaysia’s top ten talent trends in 2022:

1. Accelerated digitalisation driving the demand for Tech professionals 
2. Hybrid roles on the rise in Banking and Finance
3. Customer-centric and data-driven marketing coming to the fore
4. Shared Services Centres transforming into Centres of Excellence
5. Company Secretarial roles will require legal expertise
6. Generalist Human Resources roles will make a comeback
7. A reset for Insurers following pandemic shakeup
8. Semiconductor industry braces for a surge in activity 
9. Return to growth for Sales sector
10. Significant hiring activity in Life Sciences

Click here for an analysis of the trends and to download your exclusive Hays Malaysia Top Ten Trends for 2022 infographic available in PDF format for digital or print use.

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About Hays Malaysia

Agensi Pekerjaan Hays (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd ("Hays Malaysia") is one of the leading specialist recruitment companies in Malaysia in recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people across a wide range of industries and professions. We provide mid to senior level recruitment services across both finance and commerce industries. We have become known as the experts in sourcing regional and global candidates, as well as returning Malaysians.

Hays has been in Malaysia since 2012 and boasts a track record of success and growth, with two operating offices located in KLCC and Sunway. At Hays in Malaysia, we operate across the private and public sector, dealing in permanent positions in the following specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Construction, Digital Technology, Engineering, Finance Technology, Human Resources, Information Technology, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Manufacturing & Operations, Marketing & Digital, Procurement, Supply Chain and Sales.

About Hays

Hays plc (the "Group") is a leading global professional recruiting group. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As at 31 December 2020 the Group employed c.10,000 staff operating from 257 offices in 33 countries across 20 specialisms. For the year ended 30 June 2020:

• the Group reported net fees of £996.2 million and operating profit (pre-exceptional items) of £135.0 million;
• the Group placed around 66,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 235,000 people into temporary roles;
• 17% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 26% in Germany, 23% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 34% in Rest of World (RoW);
• the temporary placement business represented 59% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 41% of net fees;
• IT is the Group’s largest specialism, with 25% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%) and Construction & Property (12%), are the next largest
• Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK and the USA