In the current economic climate, job seekers often face challenges in finding opportunities that align with their qualifications and financial needs. A recent TikTok video shared by a Malaysian graduate, known as Cikgu Hanis, has sparked discussions online after she revealed her frustration over a job offer she received.
Hanis shared in her video that she was offered a monthly salary of only RM1,500 for a graphic designer position in Kuala Lumpur. Expressing disbelief at the low offer, she compared it to the higher starting salary of RM3,000 for a retail job, which only requires SPM qualifications (equivalent to O-levels).
"I bring my undergraduate degree and all I get offered is RM1,500," Hanis lamented in the video, highlighting the stark difference in pay between jobs that require different levels of qualifications. She noted that despite lacking prior experience in graphic design, she also has no experience in retail, making the discrepancy in salary even more disheartening.
Hanis emphasized that living in Kuala Lumpur on a salary of RM1,500 would be extremely challenging, suggesting that returning to her hometown might be a more viable option given the circumstances.
Her video resonated with many netizens who shared similar experiences of feeling undervalued in the job market despite their qualifications. The video sparked discussions about the importance of fair compensation and the challenges faced by young professionals entering the workforce.
This incident sheds light on the broader issue of mismatched expectations and realities in the job market, where qualifications and experience do not always translate into appropriate compensation. It also highlights the need for employers to consider the cost of living and the value of qualifications when offering salaries, especially in expensive cities like Kuala Lumpur.
As Malaysia's economy continues to evolve, it is crucial for employers to recognize the skills and contributions of young professionals and offer fair and competitive salaries that reflect the cost of living and the value of their qualifications.
Kamran is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.