Desirable companies: Google only tech company in Malaysia’s Top 5

  • JobStreet survey of companies Malaysians most want to work for
  • Petronas and Shell take top spots, followed by Google, Maybank and Sime Darby
Desirable companies: Google only tech company in Malaysia’s Top 5

GOOGLE Malaysia was the only technology company in a recent survey by online recruitment portal JobStreet.com on the top companies Malaysian employees want to work for, and why, with petroleum giants taking the first two spots.
 
The local subsidiary of the US tech giant came in third with 8% of the votes, with government-linked company (GLC) Petronas ringing in at No 1 with 18% and Shell a close second with 14% of the votes.
 
Maybank and Sime Darby claimed the joint fourth spot with 3% of the votes each, according to JobStreet.com.
 
A total of 450 employees across various industries in Malaysia participated in this survey conducted in July, the company said in a statement.
 
Salary was the main reason candidates want to work for these companies, although experienced candidates would opt for company reputation as their second preference when selecting a company to work for.
 
Fresh graduates or jobseekers new to the workforce placed learning, training and development as their second priority. They see training as development opportunities to enhance their work skills for better prospects in the long run, JobStreet.com said.
 
Benefits and incentives came in third as a workplace consideration across all position levels, followed by quality of leadership. Work environment and culture were chosen as their fourth and fifth consideration respectively.
 
Google is famous for its work environment, and its local subsidiary scored high here too.

Desirable companies: Google only tech company in Malaysia’s Top 5

“I really like being in such a dynamic environment as it brings out the best in people,” a digital analyst from Google Malaysia said in the statement issued by JobStreet.com.
 
“Our open culture is evident in the way our office space is organised – lots of open spaces, community areas which are furnished with games and sports that we all love, and everyone sits together without their own private cubicles.
 
“This makes for great discussion, brainstorming and exchange of experience, which is really valuable especially when you’re just starting out in your career.”
 
JobStreet.com said that 88% of the employees surveyed mentioned they would tender their resignation in their current company if they were given an opportunity to work in their preferred company.
 
The foremost reason is because their current company lacks leadership quality. Other reasons for wanting to leave, in order, are: Salary; poor working environment and culture; lack of bonus and incentives; and lack of career growth.
 
Desirable companies: Google only tech company in Malaysia’s Top 5Work environment that inspires
 
Speaking to Digital News Asia (DNA), Zeffri Yusof (pic), head of Communications and Public Affairs for Google in Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, agreed that the work culture and environment were important considerations.
 
“Google is a pretty flat organisation and our workspace is designed to be open, with minimal partitions; we have lots of discussion areas and surfaces for doodling to encourage sharing.
 
“We’re mindful that people spend eight to 10 hours every weekday in this space, so it’s important to have a place that will inspire and at the same time feel almost like a ‘home away from home.’
 
“The free meals and snacks Googlers share together sets the communal tone, along with the highly utilised play area,” he said via email.
 
But there are other factors that go toward building a great environment, and being a great company to work for.

 

The following is an email Q&A with Zeffri:
 
DNA: What processes do you have in place in terms of career development for your employees? How are disputes resolved?
 
Zeffri: Googlers work with their managers to set career goals and development paths, including cross-functional opportunities in other markets. Disputes are resolved by a frank exchange of ideas and lots of data.
 
As Deming puts it, “In god we trust, all others bring data” [referring to W. Edwards Deming, the renowned American statistician, professor, author, and consultant].
 
DNA: What kind of people do you look for when trying to fill in a role, beyond just the skills set?
 
Zeffri: Google look for four keys traits in a candidate – general cognitive ability, leadership, ‘Googleyness,’ and role-related knowledge.
 
They’re listed in that order for a reason.
 
Google likes to hire curious, quick-learning generalists who can master whatever challenges are thrown at them. That’s why general smarts are at the top of this list; specific skills are at the bottom.
 
Leadership isn’t necessarily measured by what titles people have held. Google is looking for people who can see a problem, step in, help solve it – and then relinquish power if necessary so that someone else can handle the next challenge.
 
We call it ‘emergent leadership.’ We look to hire those who have a variety of strengths and passions, not just isolated skill sets.
 
Everyone at Google defines cultural fit (a.k.a. “Googleyness) differently. Google looks for people who are comfortable with ambiguity, have intellectual humility, and can bring something new to the mix.
 
If you’re a genius but not a people person, maybe you’re not Googley. If you don’t possess a team spirit or a sense of collective responsibility, then you’re probably not Googley either.
 
Apart from the usual academic qualifications and relevant working experience, Google welcomes individuals who have completed interesting activities outside the typical academic settings.
 
Desirable companies: Google only tech company in Malaysia’s Top 5DNA: What processes do you have in place to measure performance?
 
We have structured self, peer and manager reviews, along with fast feedback mechanisms (e.g. thanks, kudos, peer-nominated bonuses) that cumulatively paint a comprehensive picture of performance.
 
Googlers set their own metrics in collaboration with their managers and are frequently their own most demanding performance reviewer.
 
DNA: How many people does Google Malaysia employ currently, and can you give us a breakdown of departments or roles? Are you looking to hire more?
 
Zeffri: Sorry we’re not able to give local office breakdowns. As for jobs, www.google.com/jobs is pretty up to date. Currently there are open sales positions in Google Malaysia. 
 
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Malaysians prize workplace relationships: LinkedIn survey
 
 
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