A practical, step-by-step guide to choosing a path, winning your first job and building a career. Written by Talentbank's CEO Ben Ho for students, graduates and young professionals.
For 16 years Talentbank has worked in campus halls, at career fairs and across the table from employers. The Career Playbook is Ben Ho's way of putting what he has seen in one place: the lessons, the mistakes and the strategies, in plain language, for people who are just starting out.
It is a practical guide, not a textbook. It follows the path from university to your first job and your first years at work, and every chapter stands on its own, so you can start where you are.
The book will not get you hired by itself. What you do with it can help.
It is written for people early in their careers. It also applies if you are at a technical college, on a TVET programme or starting work directly: the focus is employability, mindset and real-world skills, not only academic routes.
Exploring courses, interests and goals? Learn how to plan ahead and choose with intention, not confusion.
Not sure what comes after graduation? Practical steps to find clarity, build confidence and secure your first job.
Learn how to grow, build credibility and avoid the career traps that catch people early.
More than 250 pages, from understanding what you want to building something of your own.
Understand your values, your idea of success and what motivates you, so your choices fit who you are.
Balance your studies, build good friendships and use campus life to prepare for work.
Communication, confidence and teamwork: the soft skills that often set one candidate apart from another.
From a CV that stands out to interviews, practical strategies for internships and your first role.
Office culture, managing your time and learning quickly, and how to build credibility early.
Choose by long-term goals, working environment and room to grow, not only by job title or pay.
Spot early-career mistakes such as burnout, stagnation and poor workplace relationships, and steer clear of them.
Test an idea, learn from side projects and decide whether going out on your own is right for you.
Ben is the founder and CEO of Talentbank, which began in 2010. He has worked with ministries, employers and universities to close the gap between education and the working world, and he is behind the Graduates' Choice Award, the Employers' Choice Award, the Talentbank Career Fair and the National Career Fair.
He also speaks at universities, corporate events and career conferences. The Career Playbook is where he sets down what he tells candidates in person.
The Career Playbook was soft-launched by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, YB Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Order online, or pick up a physical copy at the fair and have it signed.
Order from careerplaybook.io. The book comes in print and digital editions. Purchases also include:
Pick up a physical copy at the National Career Fair, held every year at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, and have Ben sign it on the day.
A practical resource for the young people you hire, teach or support. We also work with government bodies on custom collaborations.
Add your logo, a foreword or your own career pathways to every copy. A tangible way to strengthen your employer brand, engage young talent and support campus outreach.
Discounted rates for student learning, libraries, educational programmes and charity. Useful for career centres, workshops and graduate programmes.
Or write to playbook@talentbank.io.
A practical guide, written in a conversational tone. It is full of real advice, mindset tips and strategies drawn from Ben's experience in graduate employability.
Then start at the beginning. One of the first chapters is about finding your “why” and gaining clarity, and the book walks you through reflection, planning and direction-setting.
Yes, especially in your first job or if you are resetting your direction. It covers climbing the career ladder, building confidence, managing people and avoiding early-career mistakes.
No. The book follows the journey from student to early professional, but each chapter stands on its own. Go straight to the sections that fit where you are now.
Yes, both. You can order on careerplaybook.io (opens in a new tab).
Yes. Orders from careerplaybook.io (opens in a new tab) come with a 30-day guarantee.
Yes, at the National Career Fair. Pick up a physical copy and Ben signs it on the day. The next dates are on our events calendar.
University focuses on academic knowledge. The Playbook covers the gap: finding the right job, building your personal brand, speaking with confidence and doing well in your first few years of work.
Yes. One part of the book is about side hustles and entrepreneurship: testing ideas, avoiding common pitfalls and deciding whether going full-time is the right path.
Yes. We offer bulk and co-branded editions. See bulk and co-branded editions above, or ask Amira.
Yes. Ben speaks at universities, corporate events and career conferences. See our keynotes page or write to the CEO's Office at ceo@talentbank.io.