I just got my PhD last month. So far, I've been applying to postdoctoral fellowship, research fellowship and lectureship. I have e-mailed almost every expert in my field but none of them could offer me postdoc jobs because of lack of funding. I also have applied for lectureship but it's very competitive and limited. I browsed nature jobs/jobs overseas and there are tons of phd jobs in overseas. I am thinking to migrate and get job overseas. Or I should just stick to my current job with degree pay scale.

No wonder Malaysia is facing brain drain. Even PhD scholars cannot get job easily.

First of all, congratulations in getting your phD
The lack of funding is certainly a 'shadow' of past governance , it may take some time before the condition improves.
As for job positions, sometimes having the right connection helps- it would be easier to get into a particular university with recommendations from someone with authority. Having friends in the universities will also help as they can tell you whether there are any job openings.

There is nothing wrong with working overseas so long as you are prepared for it. However my advice is to check the background of the university/company/research institute/country that you will be working in make sure that you are comfortable with their lifestyle, ethics etc.

Congratulations.

What is your field of study?
In Klang Valley, or somewhere else?

Any teaching-related experiences?

Hi. My area of study is life sciences. I did my PhD in one of the universities located in Klang Valley. I did not have teaching experience. However, I used to tutor SPM/PMR students as part time job whilst doing PhD.

I headhunt and recruit people with PhD qualifications on a regular basis, mainly for multinationals.

Admittedly, most of them are in the business and finance sector, and are from foreign universities. The blunt truth of the matter is that we find the overall quality of local graduates, even those with masters and doctorates, to be lacking.

Some of those I have interviewed have significant deficiencies in the knowledge of the field of study. Some couldn't even carry on a discussion in English for any significant length of time.

Having a masters or a doctorate is NOT your fast-track towards a high-paying job, unlike what a lot of people think.

I would probably advise you to seriously ask yourself whether your expectations are too high on what you would accept as your first job.

Pick a job below your phd. Then work yourself up.

I've never attended any interview yet. I just graduated from my PhD last month but I am worrying I might not get any job in 6 months or more.

Already applied for jobs lower than my qualification. most of the employers dont want to hire me because they think I am overqualified. Unless, I lied about my experience etc

I wouldn't worry unnecessarily. As long as you are realistic and do not have overly high expectations, the job will come. You may have to consider a job that you are overqualified for, but at least it's a job. Believe me, it's not a local thing. The job market regionally, and even globally, is a bit soft at the moment. I don't know the specifics on sectors where a life sciences qualification is applicable, but I supposed it's not all that different from most others.

The most important thing, at this point, is to get your foot into the job market and work from there. It's not very good to have a 3+ month gap in your resume. It may not be your fault entirely, but most companies will still think that you didn't try very hard... or worse, have unrealistic expectations. Also, consider jobs outside your field. I know a few corporate business consultants that started off as graduates in computer science and pharmacy - i.e. nothing at all to do with the original qualifications.

Most of life science PhD graduates go for postdoctorate/lectureship/research fellowship. Thanks for your replies

Hey guys,

Thanks for your responses. Finally I will go for my first interview after Hari Raya. Words on the street that I might have a few more interviews coming this July/August. Maybe I just freak out a little bit.

Try going for professional qualifications if you can. There are many out there, preferably those which are internationally recognised in different fields. They tend to be much better in attracting attention from employers than a higher academic qualifications. Other than that, in most fields, experience counts more than academic qualifications, unless you want to be a researcher or lecturer.

Honestly, it is a bit difficult to get a job offer now.
Still, not impossible. Just don't be picky, and demand for sky-high salary.

Teaching job is more about passion. If a company offer you good salary, compensation and benefits, consider you are lucky. If not, you will find a better job, take it as a stepping stone.

Good luck.

congratulation ! mind asking wht job interview is that? (eg postdoc, lecturer?) local?

This post has been edited by justified: Jun 26 2018, 10:47 AM

Postdoc and lecturer. So I already went to lecturer interview yesterday and hoping for a good news. Postdoc interview will be next week

mind to share that have u worked before after degree?
or you continue study master and phd after completed degree?

Worked in industry for 1 year after degree then continued with PhD

i see, i guess u are pretty young and below 30 (based on your username and years of study)
i think is fine if you applied those jobs below your qualification, bosses dont bother whether u have higher qualification than your job scope, most importantly you are fit to the position that you are apply and he only pay u base on the job scope.
Provided you have less working experience, maybe you can apply those jobs (beginner/without experience) related to your study field or field that your interested to venture.
Nowaday, newbies from uni all carrying degrees and at least can get minumum 2.5k to 3k in KL. So u might focus on those jobs first to gain some experience and expand your networks

Good luck

Already tried last year when I was waiting for PhD viva. They all rejected my applications once they found out I'm doing/waiting for PhD graduation. They thought I was overqualified. Unless I lied on my resume and omitted PhD part

Thanks for your reply. I have been unemployed for a month. Maybe I am a bit freaking out and anxious to the prospect that I will unemployed for another 6 months. Granted I already got several interviews to go

My wife returned from Denmark with a PhD in biochemistry in Dec 2014. By that time she had published 6 research papers. She got a job by March 2015. She moved to another job a year later as a senior chemist.

She had zero problems with being 'overqualified' etc. She didn't need to lie etc.

Private companies value her expertise in analytical chemistry and her know-how in handling high end scientific equipment.

She says while her PhD gets her noticed, in the end it's all about what skills you actually bring to the table.

She die-die doesn't want to work as lecturer in local uni, she says the environment suck balls and the politics is too much.