Nimble moves: Young jobseekers must look beyond academic qualifications and focus on adaptability, continuous learning and core human skills to stay relevant in the job market, say employers. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Degrees are no longer enough as employers demand job-ready skills, adaptability and basic artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, so young jobseekers are learning the hard way that breaking into the workforce requires self-driven upskilling.
Aisyah Hasib, 24, a business analytics graduate aiming for a junior data or AI-adjacent role, said she sent out more than 80 job applications within three months after graduating.
“I kept receiving generic rejection emails or no response at all,” she said, adding that during interviews, employers told her she had the qualification but lacked practical exposure, particularly in applying AI and data tools in real business environments.
Realising that academic qualification alone was insufficient, Aisyah began upskilling independently by learning Python basics, Excel automation and how to use AI tools such as ChatGPT for data cleaning and reporting.
She also took short online courses and built small projects using real datasets, which she compiled into a portfolio.
“After that, interviews became more conversational. Employers started asking how I would use AI tools to solve problems, not just theoretical questions,” she said.
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A similar experience was shared by Danyal Shuayb, 27, a former marketing executive who transitioned into product operations.
He said the job search was frustrating despite having transferable skills, as employers repeatedly cited a lack of “direct experience”.
“I applied for roles I felt qualified for, but kept losing out to candidates with more technical backgrounds,” he said.
To bridge the gap, Danyal learnt basic Structured Query Language, product documentation tools and AI-assisted workflow automation.
He also volunteered to manage cross-functional projects at his previous workplace to demonstrate adaptability.
“Once I reframed my experience and showed how I used AI tools to improve processes, interviews shifted,” he said, adding that he is no longer competing head-to-head with other candidates, as he stood out instead.
Employers said young jobseekers must look beyond academic qualifications and focus on adaptability, continuous learning and core human skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market.
Human resources director at a digital services firm, Abdul Muttalip Hakim, said employers are increasingly prioritising attitude and learning ability over formal credentials.
“We look beyond degrees. Adaptability, curiosity and the ability to learn quickly matter more.”
Abdul Muttalip said candidates who demonstrate initiative through self-driven projects or continuous learning stand out during the hiring process.
While technical expertise is valued, Abdul Muttalip said companies do not expect all candidates to be programmers.
However, basic AI literacy has become essential even for non-technical roles, he said.
“Young jobseekers should know how to use AI tools responsibly to analyse data, generate ideas and improve productivity.”
He advised graduates not to wait for employers to provide training but to proactively build skills through courses, experiments or side projects.
“Show us how you think and how you solve problems – that’s what gets you hired,” he added.
Echoing this view, managing director of a boutique firm, Saliha Mustapa, said strong human skills remain a critical differentiator as technology continues to reshape workplaces.
“Communication, leadership and emotional intelligence are crucial,” she said.
“Technology can be learned, but attitude and resilience determine whether someone grows with the company.”
Saliha said AI literacy is increasingly relevant even in non-tech sectors as long as it is used to support rather than replace human judgement.
“We want young employees who understand how AI can assist in decision-making, not override it.”
She encouraged jobseekers to adopt a lifelong learning mindset, adding that continuous upskilling and strategic networking are key to long-term career sustainability.
“Those who stay curious and keep upgrading their skills will remain relevant as industries continue to evolve,” she said.
