Local grads more realistic about salary

The gap between graduates' expectations and what employers are willing to offer is beginning to narrow, a new report by Universum found.

Undergraduates in Singapore are getting better at managing their salary expectations; in fact, salary expectations fell 1.2% to $3,308 this year.

The Singapore Top 100 Ideal Employers student survey, which canvassed the opinions of 7,294 graduates, also revealed their top two career goals were to achieve work-life balance, and be secure and stable in their jobs.

"The future talent in Singapore are seeing salary more and more as a ‘hygiene factor' and evaluating their career options with other important criteria, such as ‘a friendly work environment' and ‘professional training and development' with the employer they wish to work for," Joakim Ström, managing director for Universum APAC, said.

He added as the lines between professional and personal lives begin to blur, "there is little surprise that our findings reinforce the growing desire for current and future generations to find meaning in life through their career".

Therefore, Ström said it was critical for local employers to understand the motivations and goals of graduates in order to attract the best.

"Finding those who are not only of high caliber but also aligned with the organisation's values and ambitions will significantly enhance engagement and retention of talent."

A second report by Universum revealed the top 100 ideal employers in Singapore, with Google, Singapore Airlines and J.P. Morgan taking the top three spots for business students.

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