A little courtesy for job seekers, please

APPROXIMATELY half a million individuals in Malaysia find themselves without employment. While some may have chosen this status voluntarily, it’s undeniable that those actively seeking employment also face stigma, being labelled as picky or lazy. It’s ironic that amid claims of businesses struggling to attract workers, job seekers are met with such criticism.

As someone currently seeking other employment opportunities, I can attest to the stigma and challenges. Despite diligently applying for work through wellknown online platforms, I’ve received minimal response, if any. Instead, the emails I receive are typically notifications that the positions I applied for have been filled.

Many businesses now exclusively advertise vacancies on these platforms, bypassing direct email applications (snail mail doesn’t get a look in, of course). But shouldn’t the standard courtesy still apply, like acknowledging receipt of an application, and whether or not it can proceed to the next hiring stage, rather than leaving applicants in limbo? Being ignored entirely contributes to feelings of discouragement and frustration in the job hunt.

With only half a million unemployed individuals in Malaysia, it’s perplexing that businesses can’t accommodate them. They accuse Malaysians of being overly selective about job opportunities while simultaneously exhibiting unrealistic selectiveness in their hiring processes.

I believe the mismatch between job seekers’ efforts and employers’ responses highlights a systemic issue in the Malaysian job market. As individuals strive to secure employment through various online platforms, the lack of meaningful feedback and widespread ghosting exacerbates the frustration of the unemployed. It’s time for a collective effort to address these challenges and foster a more inclusive and transparent hiring process for all.