A quarter of graduates dissatisfied with their first job despite higher salaries

They believe they deserve more.

It seems disenchantment sets in early for Hong Kong’s new workforce entrants as a quarter of fresh graduates have expressed dissatisfaction with their first job citing lower-than-expected salary and benefits packages, according to a survey from jobsDB.

Almost a fifth (17%) bemoan the lack of career development opportunities after feeling that their employers fail to provide sufficient training. 

This comes even as fresh graduates are receiving slightly higher monthly salaries of $14,978 in their first job from $14,685 in 2016.

With benefits and monetary gains as their driving goal, reaching the top of the corporate ladder or attaining management level emerges as the top priority for most fresh graduates followed by fulfilling short-term savings targets.

Buying property fell to third priority (14%) which was formerly the top consideration for fresh graduates from the previous year.