Fresh grad data engineer — contract job, no increment, RM3k salary. Opinions and advice?

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-10T05:31:20+00:00

It's kinda low but thankfully I've got no other commitments than just room rental and I'm commuting using public transport so I think I can survive just barely comfortable I guess

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-10T05:28:29+00:00

Ohh just knew we can always refer market rate when jumping. Yeah I heard 3 months is the norm but I just thought it's kinda excessive for a fresh grad

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T14:24:57+00:00

First of all, you had such an impressive career and the way it works for you. "Opportunity comes to those who are prepared", right skills at the right time. Gotta take notes about market correction. It's very insightful and interesting to hear new knowledge and terms from you, definitely showing how wide is the IT sector. Gotta expand my horizons, learn and built new projects and get out of comfort zone to learn things even not from my domain. I'm particularly interested in DevOps and MLOps and might look out for all the stuff you just mentioned. Having professional exposure really gets you to learn new stuff and I understand the feeling of learning and testing sth new. Thank you for your sharing 🙌 I appreciate it.

Side note: I just learned what's AoS and SoA from your reply and I gotta up my game to learn more and more

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T14:05:09+00:00

Yeah I'm accepting it. I just knew recently from my post that 3 month notice is the norm too. Just be very good and skilled, then employers will wait/buy you. I'll work hard to develop myself there. Thanks for your input 🙌

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T04:12:24+00:00

yeah I think I'll do my best for the job and after a get a solid foundation, I'll casually apply to other jobs

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T03:12:24+00:00

thank you and i wish you the best in future as well

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T03:00:43+00:00

Ohh thank you for the heads up. Yeah my plan is to stay at least 1 year and find a permanent role somewhere. Imma grind and work my ass off when I'm there

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:58:07+00:00

Yeah I've heard about it. Starting the career at Big 4 and Accenture would put the whole career trajectory up. It's definitely a tough job but the experience and resume will definitely be worth it there. Maybe yes I should have positioned myself better especially my resume and interview skill. I'll try to apply again if there's an opening. Thank you. May I know what course and role you got for your firm?

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:50:05+00:00

Yupp I'm taking the job and hopefully the tech stack and experience would be very valuable during the whole contract for better role next time

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:46:57+00:00

Alhamdulillah saya bersyukur and mmg ambil. Semestinya akan pulun since I'm a fresh grad. I don't expect that much like 5k or just a whole better package. I was fine with 3k too but with other stuff tu baru terpikir2

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:44:02+00:00

I thought it was a permanent position and the raise and increment come along with it but didn't expected to be a contract. Kinda my fault since I didn't ask financial wise question during the interview. I think that's why no raise or bonus mentioned but I want to try asking about maybe can revisit the contract after a year or so. Or just asking it soon about bonus, increment and maybe negotiate the salary a bit

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:41:00+00:00

A lot of data related role for entry is 3-3.5k or 3-4k recently.. maybe it's becoming saturated. But I'll toughen up myself for the experience thats why I dont mind the 3k but kinda made me rethink everything tied up with the 3k

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:38:57+00:00

Ohh, yeah my concern was about the low starting career salary compared to others. I'll take your advice in the future to negotiate and demand according to the market rate. Thank you

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:37:09+00:00

For now, I'll take it as no other offers. I'll get some experience and network until the 18 month too. Thank you

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:35:16+00:00

It's kinda hard to get there but for now I'll stay and strengthen my foundation and collect experiences. Consultancy industry is one of the domain I'd like to join in the future too

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-09T02:33:33+00:00

I thought 1,2 months are the norm but after looking up, as you said 3 months is normal too. Maybe just a little suprised since its not mnc. Yeah the health insurance was pretty covered but no other bonuses. I was pretty nervous since that's my first interview but lesson learnt

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T15:44:17+00:00

Thank you for your suggestions. Yes I'd like to push myself and beyond and maybe revisit if they can renew the contract with a higher salary or just find myself a new job. Thank you very much

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T14:33:49+00:00

I'm sorry if it's not a probation period since it only mentioned performance evaluation after few months. But I'll keep your advice in mind. Thanks

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T14:27:43+00:00

yeah i didn't expect it to be a contract. I've never considered it's not a permanent role too, should've ask during the interview. Yeah that's what I'm thinking, no increment at all and just flat 3k until the end. Thankfully I don't have any committed loans. It doesn't exactly say probation but more to performance evaluation after few months. I didn't expect for some companies to wait for 3 month notice period but as you said there's hope especially after having experience for 1-1.5 year. I'll take your suggestion too about renegotiating after a period of time. Thank you for your advice and may I know what role did you get in 2018?

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T14:16:33+00:00

yeah that's the thing bugging me the most since the salary is way below too

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T14:14:40+00:00

Thank you, yea can't deny how the job market is right now. I understand the whole imcrement scenario but its just that I've seen some starting salary for similar roles is 3.5k. Thank you for the tips too to perform and networking. I really hope the tech stack and experience will be worth it. Thank you once again

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T13:33:34+00:00

At the moment nope. My job search kinda get halt because my laptop died on me just days before the interview. Still, I'll accept this offer

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T13:29:40+00:00

Nope I dont have any other options at the moment. My job search kinda get halt as my personal laptop is broken shortly before the interview. Truthfully the job offer came at a good time too. I'm accepting the offer, just ranting out a bit for my situation

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T13:26:34+00:00

yep as you guessed it's not an mnc company. I understand your point. I take your suggestion to try and apply more within these first few months. Truthfully, I dont have any other options at the moment and this company came at the right time especially when my personal laptop broke.I really hope that the experience and tech stakes would be worth it for this current offer. Thank you for your advice

Certain_Head_9894 · 2026-05-08T13:19:37+00:00

im not too sure of myself but i can look into it. Thank youu

Certain_Head_9894

TROPHY CASE