Congratulations.

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

Any teaching-related experiences?

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 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.

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

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

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 

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.

To be fair, I don’t think it is any easier getting a job in western country with a PhD, unless your research is in a very specialised field or you are sponsored by a company. it is unlikely you are in an advantage in the application process just because of a PhD if you apply for a degree job..

But it does sound like a scary process when you are not getting paid after your study

PhD so what? gotta stop whining and use the right strategy to get the job u want.. nobody owes you a job just because you have the phd degree, and tonnes of publications under ur belt. look, if u have say a phd in locomotive transportation, do u think a finance-related company is gonna hire you? yes yes u have excellent pcr skills, molecular biologist with impeccable cloning technique, but if i am the hiring boss from a quantum nuclear-related company, what good can u bring to the company? be wise when looking for a PhD related job, look and screen carefully on the job requirement, and tailor each and individual of your resume and cover letter.

and btw, postdoc overseas (US in particular) suck balls, and the pay is extremely lowball with no job security, unless you have a clear mind on what u are trying to achieve, otherwise ditch this idea all together and venture into other paths

There you go. Good for you!

So what was all that fuss about then? Life is hard post Phd, wanna migrate coz can't get job despite PhD etc..?