Malaysian jobseekers are reassessing what they want from work, with more people prioritising growth, balance, and fair pay over job security alone. New insights from Jobstreet by SEEK suggest that workers are increasingly selective, and many are prepared to move if their expectations are not met.

Similar concerns are being seen globally, with research from HP showing that only 20% of knowledge workers feel they have a healthy relationship with their jobs, pointing to a wider disconnect between employee expectations and workplace realities.

More Malaysians Are Open To Changing Jobs

According to Jobstreet by SEEK, 21% of Malaysians plan to switch jobs, with stronger movement expected in engineering and sales roles. This willingness to move reflects growing confidence among workers and a clearer sense of what they expect from employers.

For employers, this also means that retaining talent now requires more than competitive pay alone, especially in roles where skills are in high demand.

Salary Expectations Are Rising Faster Than Offers

Jobstreet data shows that 74% of job applications now come with salary expectations that are higher than what employers are offering. This gap highlights ongoing tension between what companies are prepared to pay and what jobseekers believe their skills are worth.

HP’s findings provide context for this trend, showing that many employees feel organisational demands have increased, while their emotional connection to work has weakened.

Career Growth And Balance Are Now Central To Job Choices

While compensation remains important, it is no longer the sole deciding factor. Jobstreet found that jobseekers increasingly prioritise compensation and benefits at 16.6%, work life balance at 14.4%, and career development at 13.9%.

These preferences align with HP’s research, which suggests that fulfilment at work is shaped by leadership quality, wellbeing support, and access to effective tools, not pay alone.

Employers Are Still Falling Short Of Expectations

Nicholas Lam, Managing Director at Jobstreet by SEEK in Malaysia, noted that many employers continue to focus heavily on pay and job stability, while overlooking other factors that matter just as much to today’s workforce.

HP’s global data reinforces this point, highlighting low levels of trust in leadership and limited psychological safety in many workplaces, which can undermine engagement even when compensation is competitive.

Leadership And Culture Are Shaping Career Decisions

Beyond job scope and pay, Malaysian jobseekers are paying closer attention to leadership credibility and workplace culture. Mental health support, transparency, and trust are increasingly part of how candidates assess potential employers.

HP’s research indicates that organisations with supportive leadership and a people focused culture tend to see higher levels of employee engagement and fulfilment.

What This Means For Workers Planning Their Next Move

For Malaysians thinking about their next career step, the combined insights from Jobstreet and HP highlight the importance of being clear about priorities. Salary remains important, but so does the ability to grow skills, maintain balance, and work in an environment that aligns with personal values.

Workers who assess opportunities more holistically may be better placed to make sustainable career decisions over the long term.

A Job Market That Demands Clearer Choices

Together, the Jobstreet and HP findings point to a job market where fit and fulfilment matter more than ever. Employers are being pushed to rethink how roles are designed, while workers are taking a more deliberate approach to career planning.

As 2026 approaches, the gap between what employers offer and what jobseekers expect is likely to continue shaping hiring trends, pay negotiations, and job mobility across Malaysia.

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