Hong Kong grads value benefits, expect HK$14k monthly wage

It's all about the money for the newest generation of potential employees in Hong Kong. When choosing jobs, undergraduates value salary and benefits the most, with 27% listing it as their top priority. Asked to put a number on it, 56% of them expect their first job to offer a monthly salary of HK$14,000 or more.

While slightly higher than the average graduate salary in 2015 (HK$13,413), the number matches last year's actual average graduate salary of HK$14,685. The focus on money is in line with their targets for the first five years after graduation: The number one goal is to buy property.

Commenting on the results, Justin Yiu, general manager of Jobs DB Hong Kong, said: "With the right conditions, employers can expect to retain many of their fresh graduates for three years or more. However, they can do even better if they take steps to reduce work-related stress and career worries, for example by focusing on career development and training."

He advised HR managers to look at what graduates value most. "Apart from boosting starting salaries, they may consider developing better employer branding, and fostering a work culture and environment that appeals to young people, so as to capture and keep top quality talent in the long term."

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Photo / 123RF | Graphs / jobsDB