In a bold statement that has sparked a lively discussion on social media, a Singaporean job seeker recently took to Reddit to express her frustration over recruiters pushing her to disclose her previous salary. As the job market continues to evolve, many candidates are now calling for a change in how companies assess potential employees, emphasizing their skills and the perceived value of their work over past earnings.

The Reddit user recounted how several recruiters insisted she reveal her former salary, justifying it with the notion that doing so would help manage her expectations for future offers. However, she remained unconvinced, recalling her own experience of accepting a “lowball” offer in the past.

“I’m trying to move beyond that; I want to be valued based on my work, not on what I earned previously,” she stated. This sentiment resonated with many other users who echoed her sentiments, highlighting what they described as a systemic issue where recruiters base compensation offers on outdated salary information rather than current market value.

One user noted that he typically shares his previous salary but regretfully mentioned a situation where his asking salary was dismissed simply because it was 20% higher than his last role. “If they want to hire, they should be looking at how much my skills are worth, not just my last paycheck,” he declared. This highlights the frustration many professionals feel about the lowball offers that often come from traditional salary negotiation practices.

Others suggested alternative strategies. Instead of disclosing past salaries, some Redditors recommended that candidates ask recruiters directly about the budget for the role. “If the recruiter mentions a figure like S$100k a year, then you can make an informed decision about whether to pursue the opportunity further,” one commenter pointed out. This approach puts candidates in a more empowered position during salary negotiations, focusing discussions on the worth of the role rather than salary history.

Furthermore, it is vital to note that while recruiters in Singapore can legally ask about previous salaries, candidates are under no obligation to provide this information. A career development platform, Nodeflair, points out that instead of divulging past pay data, job seekers can steer the conversation toward discussing their value and expectations for the new position.

In today’s competitive job market, candidates are increasingly advocating for themselves, urging employers to recognize their true potential rather than define their worth based on previous income. This movement toward transparency in salary discussions not only empowers individuals but also challenges the status quo in hiring practices.

As job seekers continue to push for fair treatment, it's clear that the dialogue around salary transparency is evolving, with skilled professionals seeking a landscape where their abilities are valued above past earnings.

Is your salary history holding you back? Discover how you can navigate the job market and secure the compensation you deserve!