Online recruitment in Malaysia climbed by 49% in April 2021 when compared to April 2020, according to data from the Monster Employment Index.

The Monster Employment Index (MEI) rose to 61 in April 2021 from 41 in April 2020. However, the month-on-month data showed a decline of 2% in online hiring. According to Monster, recruitment activity is getting back to Pre-Covid levels.

By industry, 8 out of 9 industries monitored by the Index recorded an improvement in April 2021 on annual basis. Retail (+115%), IT, Telecom/ISP, BPO/ITES (business process outsourcing/IT enabled services) (+74%) and BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) (+63%) industries saw the steepest growth in online recruitment activity in April 2021 from the year-ago level. All monitored industries except Hospitality (-9%), saw increases in online recruitment activity on an annual basis.

Meanwhile, 8 out of 9 functional areas monitored by the Index registered increases in annual demand in April 2021. Annual online demand for all professionals saw a sudden jump in April 2021. Customer Service (+158%), Purchase/ Logistics/ Supply chain (+129%) and Software, Hardware, Telecom (+83%) noticed the sharpest incline in recruitment activity from the year ago level. All functional areas except Hospitality & Travel (-16%) reflected an upsurge in hiring demand.