Fresh Grad Stunned After Recruiter Claims S$3K Salary is "Steep"

SINGAPORE: A fresh graduate recently shared his bewildering experience with a recruiter who deemed his salary expectations of S$3,000 or more to be "a bit steep" for someone who just completed university.

Posting on the r/askSingapore forum, the graduate recounted how the discussion shifted towards his expected salary during their conversation about a potential job opportunity. When he expressed his hopes for a pay scale of S$3K or higher, the recruiter promptly countered with an offer ranging between S$2,300 to S$2,400.

“I pointed out that this figure is typically reserved for diploma holders, not someone with a degree,” he explained. In response, the recruiter argued that due to the graduate's lack of relevant experience, the company was unable to offer more and suggested starting with a lower-paying job to gain experience first.

Frustrated and confused, the fresh grad expressed his disbelief on the forum, asking, “Is the job market really this bad that recruiters advise fresh uni grads to settle for such a low salary? I’m just baffled by this encounter.”

In the comments, many users echoed his shock at the low-ball offer. Some speculated that the recruiter might have been attempting to exploit the fresh graduate's inexperience in job negotiations. Others asserted that a salary of S$3K is often considered a standard entry-level wage for university graduates, particularly in sectors where holding a degree is a prerequisite.

One Redditor with experience in human resources chimed in, stating, "This recruiter seems to be more concerned with hitting his commission or KPI targets than with your career advancement." Another user pointed out the long-term consequences of accepting a lower salary, highlighting how this could lead to significant earnings gaps in the future compared to peers who start at higher figures.

Reflecting on his own experience, an engineer advised against undervaluing oneself, recalling, "Three years ago, I accepted S$3K as a fresh grad and still felt like I had been low-balled. You can and should aim higher. I had a friend who landed a S$4.5K entry-level job because he had outstanding academic results."

The conversation also touched on the wider trend in the job market, as an HR professional recently commented on social media about the growing salary expectations of job seekers. Many graduates with just a year or two of niche experience are now expecting salaries not below S$4,800 to S$5,500, leaving some questioning whether salary levels have inflated or if fresh graduates have unrealistic expectations.

As the job market evolves, it seems that fresh graduates are faced with the challenge of asserting their worth while navigating the tricky terrain of their first job opportunities. Will they be able to secure the salaries they deserve, or will they have to settle for less? The debate continues.