A post on Threads by a Malaysian recruiter has gone viral, highlighting a fresh graduate who requested a substantial pay increase despite having only worked a few months.
According to the recruiter, the graduate, earning RM4,500, applied for a new role and asked for RM6,000. “Lol, there’s another fresh grad who has only been working for 4–5 months, earning RM4,500. Applied for a new job and asked for RM6,000,” the recruiter wrote. She noted that this was the second similar case she had encountered this year.
The candidate initially told the HR team that the RM6,000 figure was negotiable, but during the interview, insisted it was non-negotiable. Feedback from the hiring manager described the applicant as “overconfident, not well prepared, and unserious,” questioning the audacity of the request. The recruiter suggested that social media advice encouraging a 30–40% pay raise after just a few months of work may have influenced the candidate.
The post quickly sparked discussion online. User @flexortill commented: “This is normal for Gen Z. Their loyalty is only to themselves and money. Most companies, especially SMEs, pay for loyalty over time, even sponsoring employees to buy houses—but not after just three or five years.”
Another user, @sil.mohd, questioned the candidate’s skills: “People know A, B, C, D, E, F, G and earn RM6,000. You only know A, B, C but want RM6,000. The skills and capabilities don’t even match.”
Meanwhile, @kucinggemok2908 expressed surprise at the short work duration: “Hold up. A few months? Not even half a year?”
The post has reignited debate on the expectations of young professionals in Malaysia, with many users pointing out the gap between salary demands and actual experience.
