Malaysia’s moratorium on loan repayments as well as the ongoing pandemic have significantly impacted the workings of its banking and financial institutions. One area of impact has been hiring, with new headcounts being rigorously controlled at this time. While banks have not stopped hiring, they have been observed to have become faster and more deliberate in their selection processes. Additionally, the current atmosphere of regulatory changes has increased the need for talent-short governance and change management-related roles, while the ongoing boom in digital payments and processes has led demand for more ‘quantitative’ roles that can harness skills like software development and data analytics to support digitalisation and automation.

As Malaysia continues to battle against and recuperate from the fallout of COVID-19, it has never been more important for businesses to find exceptional talent. Many are now trusting specialist recruitment agencies to source the perfect fit amidst market uncertainties, cost-cutting measures and mounting job responsibilities. But despite investing in expert recruitment agencies, many businesses may be missing a crucial step that would help them get the most out of their investment, says Sarah Tanoue, Business Director for Hays Malaysia.

While organisations in Malaysia continue to brave against the hurdles presented by COVID-19, successful containment efforts have resulted in most businesses operating at full capacity. But while professionals are back at work, it is vital that organisations understand that their expectations and perceptions of organisations have been transformed by the COVID-19 crisis. In order to attract and retain the very best talent in the new era of work, businesses must adapt their approach to attracting, engaging and motivating professionals, says the CEO of recruiting experts, Hays.