SINGAPORE: A recent post by an HR professional on social media has ignited a debate about the salary expectations of fresh graduates in Singapore. On October 2, she shared her astonishment at how job seekers, particularly graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and those with just 1-2 years of niche experience, were demanding salaries that ranged from S$4,800 to S$5,500.

In her post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, the HR specialist detailed her experience interviewing candidates for an in-house HR role in a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME). She emphasized that the positions offered were entry-level roles and highlighted the candidates' lack of substantial work experience, describing the situation as perplexing. "It’s surprising to see these candidates ask for salaries that are close to those of Assistant Managers or even Managers in smaller companies," she noted.

This prompted her to question whether fresh graduates were out of touch with the current job market or if there had been a genuine inflation in salary expectations. She provocatively asked her audience, “Have salaries inflated so dramatically over recent years, or are NUS grads simply delusional?”

The comments section quickly filled with reactions as netizens weighed in on the challenging economic landscape that young professionals now face. Rising inflation and escalating living costs have led many fresh graduates to feel it is necessary to aim for higher salaries from the get-go, despite their limited experience.

One commenter humorously brought attention to the soaring property prices, illustrating the stark reality for most young Singaporeans: "Now a 4-room flat costs over $1 million! How can anyone work for less? Perhaps just hire foreigners, as was initially planned."

Others echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the disconnect between traditional salary offerings and the financial pressures of modern life. A user reminisced about their own salary from a decade ago, expressing disbelief that similar pay is still being offered today: "Ten years ago, I was earning S$3,800; now, ten years later, are companies still offering the same pay?"

As the debate continues, it's evident that the job market is evolving. Companies face increasing pressure to offer competitive salaries to attract and retain talent. The discussion has opened up larger questions about the future of work, economic sustainability, and how graduates can align their expectations with market realities.

In conclusion, the situation serves as a wake-up call for both employers and job seekers in Singapore. With the job market becoming more competitive, it’s crucial for recent graduates to do thorough research and understand their value relative to industry standards. Will employers adjust to meet the rising demands, or will fresh graduates need to recalibrate their expectations? The answer may significantly influence the next generation of job seekers as they navigate the workforce.