The Salary and Designation Trap: A Warning for Fresh Graduates

Hi, I’m Venkatesh Chawan, the Head of HR at Aster Prime Hospital, part of Aster DM Healthcare. Over the past year, I’ve noticed a trend that’s worth discussing—what I call the "Salary and Designation Trap," especially in the context of startups.

Many fresh graduates are being offered high salaries, sometimes over 8 LPA, by startups. Along with these salaries, they’re given impressive titles like People Manager, Assistant Director, or Executive Director. While these offers might seem exciting and hard to resist, they come with hidden challenges.

One of the main issues arises when these individuals try to find jobs in more established, reputable companies. The high salary expectations and the fancy titles often don’t match the relatively limited experience of these candidates. This makes it difficult for them to secure new positions because companies are hesitant to offer the same high pay for someone with less experience.

Moreover, titles like "Assistant Director" might sound important, but in larger companies, these roles typically require years of experience. When candidates apply for jobs elsewhere, they might find that their title doesn’t carry as much weight as they thought.

The lesson here is to think about the long term. Fresh graduates should carefully consider whether these offers will help them build a stable and lasting career. Sometimes, starting with a more modest position in a well-established company, where there’s room to grow, can be more beneficial in the long run.

In short, while the opportunities in startups are appealing, it’s important to look beyond the immediate benefits. Consider how the job will affect your future career path before making a decision. By doing so, you can avoid falling into the Salary and Designation Trap and set yourself up for long-term success.