Greetings!
Through my experiences in both job hunting and being an employed staff, I have come to some conclusions about how salaries are determined for employees, jobs, or services. These conclusions are not necessarily based on what people say or common knowledge but rather on personal experience.
In my last place of employment, I had the opportunity to conduct interviews for prospective employees across different categories. One of the most interesting parts of this process was the salary negotiation. During the last interview I conducted, we had already fixed a salary, but I requested permission from my boss to negotiate salaries with the interviewees. My aim was to understand how they valued themselves in terms of the service they could offer and their academic qualifications. Some interviewees did not seem to have a clear understanding of their worth; they were willing to accept any reasonable amount. Meanwhile, others confidently demanded salaries even higher than what I was earning. Lol
Determining one’s salary depends on the type of firm and the position in question. If the position requires academic intelligence, then academic qualifications should be a major factor in salary determination. For instance, a teacher cannot expect to earn the same salary as a cleaner in a school. Even if the cleaner works harder physically than the teachers, the essence of the job is education, and those with higher educational qualifications naturally earn more. This is similar to my experience at my previous job, where I worked as a cashier in an eatery. I earned more than everyone in the firm, including the cooks. This was because my role required academic intelligence, which I possessed. During my interview, I was asked about my expected salary, and I confidently stated what I believed I should be earning. The interviewer began to haggle with me like a trader in the market, and eventually, we arrived at an agreed salary. The interviewer could have refused to negotiate and stuck to the amount he had in mind, but he chose to engage in the discussion. In summary, educational qualifications play a crucial role, especially in firms and positions that demand intellectual ability or formal credentials.
Another major factor in salary determination is the level of physical skill required for the job. This applies to skilled labor. If a firm requires a particular skill that I possess, that factor must significantly influence my salary. Being hired for a job that pays a meager salary would feel like a waste of the time, resources, and sacrifices I invested in acquiring my skill.
Using my last place of employment as an example, I believe the chefs did not negotiate their salaries well. They undervalued themselves, despite being the backbone of the company. Without the chefs, the business would not function. People with valuable skills should recognize their worth and demand fair compensation.
However, we live in a country where securing a job is as difficult as finding a diamond in a pit. This harsh reality has made many job seekers lose interest in negotiating salaries, as companies are often unwilling to offer high pay. If a prospective employee demands too much, the company can easily replace them with someone else from the long queue of job seekers desperate for employment.
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry to #Hivenaija prompt of the week
