Statutory Board: Was my expected salary too low?
 

Hi everyone!

I have about 2 years of experience (private sector) doing business development and I just got an offer from NCSS (National Council of Social Service). My current pay is 2,700 and I requested for 3,800 during my interview at NCSS. They asked if 3,800 was negotiable and I lowered it to 3,700, which is what they eventually offered. It's for an Asst Manager position doing business development.

FYI, I graduated with a 2nd lower honours from NTU Business School.

The reason why I feel that I might have asked for too little is because my interviewers kind off laughed when I asked for 3,800. So I thought that the amount I asked was too high then. But since they finally offered 3,700, it means I asked for too low, right?

I asked some of my friends in STB and a Asst Manager position with experience should be slightly more than 4k.

What should I do? Should I ask for a higher starting salary?

Help!!!

Pay of each sb varies and social service/healthcare are certainty not the better paying one. A fresh grad with second lower probably get ard 3.2 to 3.3k 2 years ago. That's an annualized pay increment of ard 6% per year. I don't think that sounds terrible low.

I'm not a fresh grad as I graduated 2 yrs ago. Hence, I have accumulated 2 yrs of exp as mentioned. Based on your example, i should be getting around 4k right? Thanks for ur reply btw. :)

He meant, with 3.7k offered, it is a 6percent increase per year from the starting pay 2 years ago with your class of honours. He went on to state that that he does not think that a 6 percent increase is low. How did you figure that you should be paid 4k from his post?

I see what the initial reply was getting at now. Thanks for the clarification! It still doesn't explain why the interviewers sniggered at my expected salary but eventually gave me close (100 dollars less) to what I expected in the beginning.

Assuming entry level pay @ 3400.
2 years of increment @ 5%
3400*1.05*1.05=3748.50

So yeah you are short changed by 48.50.

Haha!! Oh well...

I don't think they were laughing at the amount that you said, perhaps you were too sensitive/nervous to notice something else that happened, or they were talking among themselves etc. I have misheard things my interviewer said to me, to hilarious effect. Don't worry, you're fairly paid.

even if you weren't, isn't it too late for anything?

on a side note, there's a salary guide over at ncss web.

i dun think interviewers would give 2 hoots over some paltry amounts like a few hundred too high or to low. u were likely imagining things and getting too conspirical.

First things 1st:

High chance that STB AM =/= NCSS AM. One is a sb under the more atas MTI while the other is a sb under MSF, a smaller and less well endowed ministry.

Titles don't mean sh*t these days and cs has joined the entire bandwagon of giving fancy inflated titles, taking cue from the finance and pte sectors.

3700 for someone with 2 years exp and 2:2 sounds fair, considering that you're joining the social service sector which isn't that greatly paid to begin with.

Quite surprise TS can be AM with just 2 years experience and 3.7k salary, I remember during my time 15 years ago even if inflated titles still need 5 years to reach AM....

I am one of the interviewers who had interviewed you. We were testing your EQ when we laughed.

there is a formula to derive salary offered, in each individual stat board.

would say that 3.7 is a reasonable, considering that your experience is from private sector.

3.7k also can be call assistant manager!?!? didn't know a quiet place like ncss is also into anyhow giving titles.

To the interviewer --> what are u trying to achieve testing others by laughing at them. I certainly dont do that when i interview candidates. it is downright disrespectful.

Like I said, we are testing EQ of the candidate.

Why are you an assistant manager but paid so lowly? i'm just an analyst with 2.5 industry experience and I'm paid more than you.

I seriously doubt if a Director in a place like NCSS is even comparable to a junior manager in MNCs with more conservative titles.

Dont do that next time. Understand!

That's the difference between you and me. I am a hiring manager and you are just a peasant. Keep quiet. Finger on your lips.