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Here's what job seekers should look out for in 2018

Those seeking to change jobs in 2018 may need to sharpen their digital and language skills, as an annual survey predicted a high demand for tech-savvy and local bilingual talent in Indonesia this year.

Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sat, January 6, 2018

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Here's what job seekers should look out for in 2018 In Indonesia, the survey noted that skilled job movers can normally expect a salary increase of between 15 and 30 percent, while for specialist roles in technology and compliance, an increase of up to 50 percent is not unrealistic. (Shutterstock/File)

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new year is usually welcomed with a list of resolutions to pave the way for a new and better life, which could also include career goals. 

Those seeking to change jobs in 2018 may need to sharpen their digital and language skills, as recruitment firm Roberts Walters in its latest annual survey predicted a high demand for tech-savvy and local bilingual talent in Indonesia this year.

The global company's Salary Survey 2018, which looked into the Southeast Asian region, had shared predictions into the year that noted local candidates with strong technical skills, particularly in information technology (IT) and bilingual with international experience would be highly sought after. 

Toby Fowlson, Robert Walters' Southeast Asia managing director, said in a statement that the digitalization trend that is sweeping the region has spurred many businesses to create online or mobile platforms, as companies seek to enhance their competitiveness and increase their market share.

"As a result of these transformations, many companies are looking to hire professionals with digital expertise, across both marketing and IT, especially those who are proficient in running back office digital infrastructure or with niche technology skills," Toby said.

Read also: EDITORIAL: Technology and job creation

In Indonesia, the survey noted that skilled job movers can normally expect a salary increase of between 15 and 30 percent, while for specialist roles in technology and compliance, an increase of up to 50 percent is not unrealistic.

"From a salary point of view, if they have a strong IT technical skill set in a particular area, they can sometimes get a 100 percent salary increase for changing jobs," Rob Bryson, Robert Walters' Indonesia country manager, told reporters during the recent survey launch in Jakarta. 

However, the survey found that the region faces challenges in terms of attracting and retaining employees, citing reasons such as a talent shortage and high turnover rates. 

The imbalance between the demand and supply of talent in Indonesia is expected to continue and potentially reach a capability gap as high as 50 to 60 percent by 2020. 

Further, Indonesians educated domestically must compete with sought-after talent who received education abroad, as candidates with international experience would be in high demand to fill positions in fast expanding markets, such as technology, especially fintech companies, as well as in supply chain and logistics.

Read also: Number of unemployed rises to 7.04 million

With around 86 percent of Indonesians abroad returning to the country, according to the company, Robert Walters taps into the market with its "Pulang Kampung" (Homecoming) campaign, which places returning skilled workers with 100 percent success rate into highly covetable jobs.

The roles mostly include strategic and tech-type positions, as well as roles in multinational companies in Indonesia. 

"We talk about unemployment in Indonesia, which is approximately seven percent, but we also talk about the talent shortage in Indonesia, and that's because unfortunately the unemployed don't fill the skills gap that exists in some areas. So, for example, the unemployment in Pulang Kampung is zero," Bryson said. 

Robert Walters in Indonesia, which specializes in seven fields, found the top paying roles include those in the fields of sales and marketing, accounting and finance, as well as legal, with annual income for senior level roles ranging from Rp 1.5 billion (US$111,450) to Rp 2.925 billion per year. (kes)

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