Less than 5% success rate for getting an interview

PETALING JAYA: Fresh graduates interviewed by The Star claim that they have to send in more than 100 applications before securing an interview.

Lim Yin Yin, 25, a fresh graduate working in the banking sector, said the positions offered at banks for fresh graduates are mainly sales positions.

“My starting salary is RM2,300 per month, as a sales staff in a bank, selling bancassurance products,” she said.

Lim said her cousin, who graduated and got her first job in 2011, was also paid RM2,300 per month as starting salary at that time while working in Ipoh.

“The salary is not really sufficient to survive in the Klang Valley as rental and cost of living are high,” said Lim, who started her current job a month ago.

“Most of my friends are getting about RM2,000, only very few can get RM3,000. The openings at banks are mainly sales positions.

“Other positions require relevant working experience which fresh graduates like me don’t have. This is not really the job I want but I have no other choice,” said the business graduate who hails from Ipoh.

“I tried applying for management trainee programmes but they are very competitive. The positions are limited too,” she said, adding that she sent 100 applications but only got interview opportunities from four companies.

Lim, who graduated with first-class honours from a local college, said there are jobs for fresh graduates but these openings are mainly in sales, customer service and telemarketing.

“After posting my curriculum vitae on job search portals, I did receive calls.

“But those companies are mainly looking for people to fill telemarketing and customer service positions,” she said.

Meanwhile, another fresh graduate, Kalpana Doraisamy, said she has been looking for a job for more than six months.

“I have applied to more than 100 jobs on job search portals but only two companies responded,” she said.

“I have a bachelor’s degree in human resources management. I previously applied for mostly HR-related positions as I hoped to use my knowledge learnt in college. But after some time, I started applying for administrative and teaching positions,” she said.

Jonathan Lee, 23, an executive at a telecommunications company, said his salary is enough for basic expenses like food and transportation, as he lives with his family.

“But I don’t think I can afford a car or a house anytime soon. It is not the job I wanted but it is interesting and I appreciate learning new things.

“I think my current role will be something temporary but I would love to remain in this company,” he said, adding that his starting salary is between RM2,000 and RM3,000.