How to get a job that pays double the average salary.

I wish that someone had passed on this knowledge to me when I was looking to get a head start.

I'm kind of in the same boat as you guys who are job seeking.

After leaving my previous job to start a business, I was doing some market survey and I didn't find a valuable resource like this.

So I have decided to share this knowledge with you guys on my blog here at publishastory.com.

Guess what? It's March which means that it is hiring season!
Wanna, know how to get a job that pays double? Make sure to read till the end.

Some of you might have gotten your bonuses before moving on (#luckyyou)!

Here's how it normally works when you are applying for a job.

The best place to start looking for jobs is online in Malaysia is on platforms such as :

• Monster
• Jobstreet
• ReferJobs
• Wobb 
• Skoot

You enter your credentials, submit your beautifully formatted Word doc and hope and pray for an interview.

Your applications would then be automatically sent to the Human Resources Department.

On average, you may hear back within a week if you've been shortlisted for an interview.

However, I would like to share that most people actually don't get a response to their job application.

It's a tricky business.

Especially for some of the following demographics:

• Millenials
• Fresh Graduates
• Seniors in traditional industries



After doing some digging, here are the main reasons employment opportunities are getting more difficult.

1. "The Malaysian Dream Job" - Parents, I know you want your kids to doctors, lawyers, engineers or accountants.
2. Millenials are job-hopping now more than ever.
3. Mismatched expectations between employer and employee


Firstly, it is widely generalised that if you're a Malaysian child, you have four choices.

You may have gotten the rotan from your old man to get good grades in the 90's.

A significant portion of you may be persuaded to get top grades to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer or accountant.

For those of you who enjoy working in the profession, by all means, go for it 100%.

However, if you simply don't have the desire, please don't squander your opportunity to pursue something better.

Don't do it just to please your peers, your parents or your neighbours. It ain't worth it!

Did you know that because of this pressure (whether directly or indirectly), it is starting to impact the job marketplace?

For example, 2000 Malaysian doctors may become jobless this year due to oversupply.

Secondly, Millenials are job-hopping in pursuit of the same things our parents had.

Necessities like affordable food, fuel and housing in the city for the masses is not happening now like it used to in the past.

I understand why you guys are doing it.

Also, owning a property is so difficult in PJ, KL and Penang. #highfive (me too).

But back to the topic, it means that employers aren't going to consider fresh graduates for this very reason.

There's too much job-hopping going on, so they are more likely to look for candidates with some work experience and family commitments.

According to a survey published on CNBC, 77% of employers believe that new recruits who are fresh grads are not likely to stay more than a year.

Sorry, it seems that employers may pass upon you (a fresh grad) just because of this alarming rate in the market!

Thirdly, there seems to be a big mismatch of expectations between employers and employees.

According to Jobstreet, 68% of employers think that job applicants have unrealistic salary expectations.
 
Furthermore, some of the main reasons that contribute to this mismatch are:

• Lack of English proficiency
• Poor communication skills
• Poor attitude



Now you know more about the challenges, here are some tips that may boost your odds.

I don't want you to just learn how to get a job, but I want you to maximise your odds for a higher take home salary.

Remember how most people apply for jobs from online portals such as Monster and Jobstreet?

Well, I would advise to do that and also do more to maximise your odds. The key is to #BeUnique.

Here are Five tips on how to get a job that pays double the average salary in the market.

1. Study job trends in the market.

If you don't read newspapers anymore cause Facebook and Instagram have way more attractive content, talk to your uncle or aunt.

Chances are that they may stick pick up the old newspaper and they may actually give you some good advice on market trends.

I know that they may ask you when you're gonna get married or how soon are you having another baby, but hey that's besides that!.

2. Stick to your strengths and sharpen your skills.

Earlier, I have mentioned that some of the main reasons that may hold you back from your dream job may be:

• Lack of English proficiency
• Poor communication skills
• Poor attitude

Luckily, these are life skills that you can pick up among your social circle or from affordable online courses from places like Udemy.

3. Ask a friend

I don't know why but this is one of the easiest places to get a referral. Yet, not many people are leveraging their social circles.

Try to ask for a chance to meet your friend's manager or boss.

If you think it's awkward to work with your good friend, you can always ask for a job in a different team or department.

4. Send a snail mail

Here's a true story of a friend who has gotten a better gig than her peers. I'm going to dub this person and call her Ally.

So, Ally had a few companies that she's interested to join in engineering.

On top of submitting her online resume, she submitted a hand-written note to the director to register her interest.

To her surprise, she actually got an email five days later asking her to fly to Singapore for an interview.

As you may know, the currency in Singapore is about three times to the ringgit.

If you're ambitious like Ally, and you're willing to try your luck overseas, go for it!

A personalised note will definitely catch attention, not many people are doing it, so I would encourage you to try it out!

5. Reach out to the right people

Another friend of mine shared this with when we were discussing how to get a job that pays well.

You've got to give this a go.

Tom was fresh out of his job, he was a bit lost and he got bored with his old job which was unfulfilling to him.

What he did was that he wanted a career change from Law to Business Development in a multinational company.

He used Linked in to message one of the Managing Directors of the company to set up a coffee date

One thing led to the other, he was offered double the salary of his existing job.

The thing is, Tom was a brilliant spokesperson and he could carry himself well.

The MD was so impressed that he offered Tom double his existing salary.

So, folks, anything can happen, and I'd like to leave you a bonus tip.

It is to stop waiting, start taking action because good jobs are far and few.

I don't want you to sit and hope to score your dream job, keep sending them, and follow up to get noticed

Don't be the person that goes jobless waiting for 9 months to get the job that you want, start working first.

Then, slowly build your way to look for your dream job.

I am Dom from publishastory.com

We work with local brands by publishing compelling stories to drive sales and business development.

To find out more, visit our Services page.

Please leave your thoughts, questions and share with a friend in need.

Thank you and wishing you all the best.

Until then, see you in the next episode.