Money makes the world go round, or so they say. It buys our groceries, pays our bills, and funds our ill-fated attempts to keep up with the Joneses. But when it comes to salary expectations in the job market, it seems that some folks have taken this mantra a bit too literally, expecting an amount that could comfortably fund the GDP of a small island nation.
As recruiters, we've heard it all. From the ludicrous to the downright delusional, salary expectations can often leave us wondering if some candidates have confused ‘salary’ with ‘winning the lottery’. So, buckle up as we delve into the most outrageous salary expectations recruiters have ever encountered, and remember, these are the tales that defy logic, reason, and possibly even the laws of physics.
The Junior Developer with CEO Aspirations
Picture this: a fresh-faced graduate, diploma still warm from the printer, ready to dive into the world of tech as a junior developer. Standard starting salary for such a role? Perhaps £25,000 to £30,000 a year. But not for this ambitious soul, oh no. Their emailed application was a masterpiece of comedy, requesting a starting salary of £100,000 “to reflect their potential future contributions."
While we admire the optimism and confidence, we can’t help but wonder if they were expecting to code with one hand while solving world hunger with the other. After all, nothing says entry-level like demanding six figures straight out of the gate.
The Admin Assistant with a Taste for the High Life
In the world of admin, an efficient, organised assistant can be worth their weight in gold. But that’s not quite meant to be taken literally. Enter one eager candidate who, while applying for a standard administrative role, decided that their skills warranted a salary that could rival a small corporation’s annual turnover – £150,000 a year, to be exact.
With a justification as simple as “I like nice things,” it’s hard not to wonder if they were expecting their role to include personal chauffeuring from their penthouse to the office, or if maybe they'd misunderstood and thought they were applying to be the CEO’s assistant in the most personal of senses.
The Retail Worker With Dreams of Riches
Retail work is no joke - it’s all about handling customers, managing stock, and keeping your sanity intact during holiday sales. But one retail worker took their self-valuation to dizzying heights, demanding a salary that would make even top executives gasp for breath - £200,000 a year.
It’s as if the phrase “retail therapy” had suddenly become a prescription for their bank account. One wonders if the job description included negotiating peace treaties on the shop floor or perhaps orchestrating a grand symphony of customer satisfaction.
The Freelancer Who Thought They Were Beyoncé
Freelancing can be a tough gig, but it offers the freedom to set your own rates. However, one freelancer seemed to have taken this freedom as a chance to shoot for the stars - and beyond - by quoting a daily rate of £10,000 for graphic design work.
While the work of a talented graphic designer is indeed valuable, this particular freelancer seemed to believe they were the Michelangelo of the modern age, painting not with brush and canvas, but with pixels and vectors worth their weight in gold. Perhaps they thought their designs would be displayed in the Louvre, or at least in the local hipster café.
Not All That Glitters is Gold
While it’s important to know your worth, it's equally crucial to remain grounded in reality. These tales of salary expectations gone wild serve as a reminder to both job seekers and employers alike. Setting realistic expectations is key to finding that perfect match - one that doesn’t involve bank-breaking demands or flights of fancy.
Need to Recruit Candidates with Realistic Expectations?
If you're tired of wading through candidates whose salary expectations are sky-high, we can help. At Coburg Banks, we find candidates who are not only qualified but grounded in reality.
We promise to match you with individuals whose salary expectations won’t have you mortgaging your office supplies or auctioning off the coffee machine.
Get in touch today, and let's find the right fit for you without the need for a bank loan.
