Anonymous career talk from Malaysian job seekers — salary, interviews, company culture, WFH and more.
Focus on structure. Say your assumptions out loud. Use a framework (SWOT, 4P). Practice mental math. Interviewers want to see HOW you think, not just the final number.
You can deduct: a portion of your home internet/utilities, coworking fees, software subscriptions, professional training, and travel for business. Keep every single receipt organized.
Start with friends and family. Show your worth through a small project. Use LinkedIn to share your work. Networking at local events (Coworking, Tech meets) is much more effective than cold-emailing.
Optimize profile for SEO keywords. Post once a week about your niche. Engage with leaders in your field. 3 people DMed me with roles I would never have found otherwise. Networking Applications.
Take the Google UX Design certificate. Build a portfolio with 3 real case studies. Network on LinkedIn. Many entry-level UX roles care about your problem-solving process more than your degree.
Differences are RM200-400/month at similar levels. Brand and exit opportunities matter more than the small pay gap.
Commute savings vs high rent. Living in city center means you can walk/MRT to work, but you'll spend min RM1,000 on rent. Many prefer living slightly further (Cheras/PJ) and taking the MRT.
Don't just list tasks. show impact on company goals. "I did X which helped the team achieve Y." Use metrics wherever possible. Ask your manager early what success looks like.
When your home becomes your office, it becomes hard to truly disconnect. Set a physical "closing time". Walk around the block at the end of the day to simulate a commute home.
It is okay to be frustrated. Remember: it says more about the company's bad process than your value. Move on quickly and keep your momentum. Don't wait for them to decide your next move.
Communication, empathy, and ability to give/receive feedback are often the final filters for senior roles. You can teach a language, but you can't easily teach a "good teammate".
When every problem is "a learning opportunity" and you are not allowed to express frustration. It leads to bottled-up burnout. A healthy culture allows for venting and realistic problem-solving.
Pace is incredible. expect 996 culture to seep in. Communication can be a challenge. Pay is high, but burnout risk is real. Good for a 1-2 year "grind" to level up your technical skills.
Document incidents. Raise it with your manager with specifics. If nothing changes, decide if the environment can change.
It is all about people, not technical work. You are responsible for their growth. You will spend 70% of your time in meetings. The "power" is really just extra responsibility and coordination.
Use ASB (if applicable) or StashAway/Wahed. Set aside 10% the moment your salary hits your account. "Pay yourself first" is the most effective way to build wealth in your 20s.
Do you like solving complex problems or solving people problems? Management is a whole new skill set. You can be a high-paid senior IC if you prefer the deep work over the coordination.
In audit/Big 4: 100% yes. In industry: not strictly necessary but it helps your credibility and salary negotiating power significantly. It acts as a floor for your market value.
Use AI for: customising your cover letter for each role, practicing behavioral interview questions, and summarizing company annual reports. Just ensure you still add your personal voice to the results.
About 50% of companies offer a small bump after probation if you perform well. Ensure this is discussed during the offer stage and ideally written into the letter of offer.