About half of bachelor degree holders in Malaysia are a disappointed lot as they are not getting the pay they expected, according to a survey of local fresh graduates by a major online recruitment company.

The survey found that  these graduates typically expect salaries between RM1,800 to RM2,100 (73 percent), but only 54 percent would have their expectations met. Another 35 percent's pay was below RM1,800.

Meanwhile, 37 percent of diploma holders' salaries were lower than RM1,200, "far below their expected salary level" that is typically between RM1,200 and RM1,800 (67 percent of respondents).

NONE Almost three in ten (29 percent) of the 1,830 respondents surveyed had turned their backs on job offers because of the disappointing salaries and benefits offered.

By comparison, most respondents reported that they needed an average of RM700 or more each month to make ends meet.

This included 63 percent of respondents in Klang Valley, and 58 percent of those outside, covering meals, rental, transportation and entertainment expenses.

The findings are based on a November survey of diploma and degree holders aged between 19 to 24 conducted by JobStreet.com, which announced the results in a statement yesterday.

‘Competition cause for unemployment'

The survey came on the heels of the recruitment agency's October poll of 571 human resource personnel, which found that "asking for unrealistic salary or benefits" was the top reason (64% of respondents) for rejecting fresh graduates.

They, however, begged to differ, citing "stiff competition" instead as the number one reason for not being employed (32 percent), with the lack of certain skills coming a close second (31 percent).

However, one thing for certain is that 23 percent of the fresh graduates themselves also felt that poor command of the English language proved to a big hurdle in finding unemployment, according to the report.

Another 22 percent also stated 'poor communications skills' as a reason for remaining jobless, the report said.

As a result, of those who graduated this year, 65 percent of bachelor degree holders and 59 percent of diploma holders remain unemployed.

But the survey also noted that a large majority of the respondents (70 percent) had just graduated three months ago or less when polled.

On the other hand, 74 percent of the 773 fresh graduates managed to land a job within three months of graduation, with another 16 percent receiving job offers even before graduating.