**SINGAPORE:** A recent social media discussion sparked by an HR professional has cast a spotlight on the growing disparity between job seekers’ salary expectations and market realities in Singapore.

On October 2, the HR expert made a post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page detailing her shock after interviewing recent graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS), as well as individuals with one to two years of specialized experience. She noted that many of these candidates were demanding salaries ranging from S$4,800 to S$5,500 for in-house roles at small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

"This is a significant ask for positions that typically wouldn't command such salaries, especially given that these roles—ranging from learning & development executives to payroll executives—often require more experience than these candidates possess," she elaborated. The HR professional emphasized that the expectations appeared to align more closely with Assistant Manager or even Manager positions, thereby raising questions about the candidates' understanding of the job market.

Her post led to a broader conversation about salary inflation and the evolving landscape for young professionals. Many netizens chimed in, suggesting that graduates are facing unprecedented financial pressures, spurred by rising inflation and the soaring cost of living.

"Have salaries truly inflated, or are these NUS grads simply out of touch?" she mused. The nerves of younger job seekers are evident, with one commenter humorously noting that housing prices—the cost of a four-room flat now stands at approximately S$1 million—make it nearly impossible to accept lower-paying roles.

Another commenter pointedly asked, “Ten years ago, I was earning S$3.8k; are companies really still offering the same pay today?” Others highlighted the struggle of SMEs, noting that low salaries make it difficult to attract capable local talent.

As the job market continues to evolve, the conversation underscores a pressing issue: watching how financial pressures shape the expectations and realities of new graduates. With the current climate, it's clear that a reckoning regarding salary expectations in the workforce is imminent.

This discussion raises a critical question for both job seekers and employers: How can we bridge the growing gap between salary demands and market standards? As the cost of living rises, will companies adjust their pay rates to attract fresh talent, or will the gap continue to widen? The future of the Singapore job market may depend on how this debate unfolds.