SINGAPORE:

A recent discussion on social media has stirred a heated debate among job seekers and HR professionals in Singapore regarding the salary expectations of fresh graduates.

An HR representative, sharing her experiences on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, expressed her astonishment at the salary demands of candidates she had interviewed, many of whom were recent graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS) or had just 1-2 years of specialized experience.

According to her account, these candidates were seeking salaries ranging from S$4,800 to S$5,500 for in-house HR roles within small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She indicated that these positions typically do not warrant such high salary expectations, particularly when considering the level of experience and the specific niche they were applying for.

"For context," she elaborated, "these roles are more aligned with what one might expect for an Assistant Manager or even Manager position at smaller companies."

The shocking revelation prompted her to question whether the graduates were misaligned with the current job market realities or if there has indeed been a notable rise in salary expectations over recent years.

"Have salaries inflated so much over the past few years, or are NUS grads being delusional?" she queried, sparking a wave of responses from netizens.

The commentary that followed highlighted a significant concern: the impact of inflation and the rising cost of living in Singapore. Many younger professionals are now feeling the pressure to negotiate higher salaries even for entry-level positions.

With the property market booming and the cost of essentials climbing, a humorous comment regarding the soaring housing prices resonated with many: "Now a 4-room flat is also $1 million. How to work for cheap? Just hire foreign workers like you intended in the first place."

Several comments echoed a common theme – that the financial realities faced by today’s graduates cannot be overlooked.

One netizen reflected on their own experience over the last decade, pointing out, "Ten years ago, I was earning $3,800. Are companies really still offering the same pay now?" This sentiment was shared by others who suggested that SMEs may struggle to attract local talent due to lower pay structures in comparison to the demands of the modern workforce.

In conclusion, the increasing disparities between salary expectations and what companies are willing or able to offer are becoming a defining feature of Singapore's job market.

As inflation continues to tighten household budgets, fresh graduates may need to reconsider their approaches while employers must adapt to retain top talent.

Could this be the beginning of a much-needed reevaluation of pay structures within the workforce? The discussion is far from over.