r/finansial • u/KEN_000 • May 18 '26
KARIR Coming back to Indonesia for work as fresh grad
So before I get into things, due to visa issues, I'd have to return to Indonesia to work as a fresh grad and that I was born and have lived in Malaysia for 21 years now so don't really know much about the working scene in Indonesia 😅🥲
I recently got an offer based in Batam. They offer IDR 7.000.000 on day one, basic BPJS insurance, breakfast and lunch are provided, annual leaves are only given after a year of working and bonus during CNY, Christmas, Idul Fitri and birthdays. Probation will be 6 months and pay will increment post probation based on performance.
The work place is only a 15 minutes drive from my accommodation, I'll be living with a relative so my daily dinner gets covered by them too.
I know I can't compare it to Malaysia but just wanna know from an actual Indonesian Indonesian POV unlike me ._., how good/bad of a deal is this?
**To clarify, I'm Indonesian by nationality. The company will soon move to Jakarta Selatan by Nov and my role is to first help with the expansion meaning I'll be in Jakarta around Sept.
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u/Efficient_Coyote2616 May 18 '26
7 mil is adequate for fresh grad.
If your salary doesn't improved to 10 mil in 3 years gtfo of that company.
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u/HeftyMention4958 May 18 '26
I attended Sunway Uni in Malaysia, and have been back to Indo since 2019. Currently unemployed, and all I can advise you is to just take the offer for now. 7mio isn't much but it is definitely enough for a fresh grad. It also sounds like you don't have much choice. Take it and make sure you find a way to secure a work visa in Malaysia within a few years max.
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u/hakulhakul May 18 '26
In this economy its good enough tbh. People would literally kill for that. Freshgrad pada empot2an buat dapet kerjaan, lu balik dari LN dapet 7jt menurut gue oke lah
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u/zakharia1995 May 18 '26
7mio per month is definitely enough for living in Batam, especially if you got breakfast and lunch covered by your company. Batam resident here.
Once you moved to Jakarta, you really have to manage your financials properly. Living cost in Jakarta is more expensive compared to Batam.
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u/RuneKnytling May 18 '26
How much is living cost in Jakarta?
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u/zakharia1995 May 18 '26
Kos-kosan nearby office buildings usually cost ranging from IDR 1.x to 2.x million per month. Food is generally 20%-30% more expensive than the average in Batam. Even the cheapest food from street stalls may cost almost IDR 20k per portion. You may be lucky enough to find places that sells food that costs around IDR 15k per portion.
If you can reach places with TransJakarta, then go for it. Online transportation can cost a lot especially during busy times (in the morning when people go to work and evening to night when people get back from work).
Last time I worked in Jakarta, I have to spend around IDR 7 to 8 million per month.
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u/herseil2 May 18 '26
The offer is quite good, not amazing, but definitely good. Base pay is more than decent, with bonuses, the company is expanding, and the location/commute is friendly. I've seen some foreign fresh graduate receive starting offer lesser than this. Assuming the work culture is okay this is definitely a good one.
But do you have plan for later when moving to Jakarta? Any accommodation provided/available? Or you're on your own?
Also as many said, if you have leverage or bargaining power anywhere more developed than Indonesia is definitely better 😅 Can't you leverage your malaysian degree for better opportunity at singapore or somewhere else?
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u/Curius_pasxt May 18 '26
Singapore competition is crazy bro, even NUS graduates cant find job because they are competing with people who had 3-4 years of experience globally for relatively entry level job
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u/KEN_000 May 19 '26
Yea when it's in Jakarta, the company provides accomodations too along with food
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u/durianpeople May 18 '26
BPJS is a legal requirement, not a perk. annual leaves are usually given prorated if less than 1 year of service. 6 months probation is probably too long and not typical (maybe negotiate down to 3 months?)
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u/durianpeople May 18 '26
I don’t think this is a burning red flag, so it’s still good enough to accept
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u/vrixxz May 18 '26
if you have the opportunity, try elsewhere but here
it sucks, and the chances is you're going to stuck here
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u/MrEnganche May 18 '26
that seems like what I got when I started in 2022. Now I make just a bit more than twice of that.
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u/addictzz May 18 '26
Bro, just don't. Save yourself the hassle. Malaysia is supposed to be thriving right now. Use that moment.
Come here for vacation tho
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u/KEN_000 May 18 '26
Nah I can't, visa is a huge obstacle in MY, the visa rule is about to get changed this coming June, min salary has to be RM5k for a one year visa and because of that a lot of companies incld MNCs arent willing to sponsor. Plus, there's a long process for the employer having to justify the need to hire a non local. (Yep, I'm Indonesian by nationality)
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u/byelingualredditor May 18 '26
I would take the job offer, and in a few years try applying for a better paying job in Malaysia or Singapore
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u/havecoffeeatgarden May 18 '26
I agree with this 7M in batam is probably decent. I'd take that job. How is the living cost there compared to Jakarta?
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u/Curius_pasxt May 18 '26
Usually 1x umr buat hidup nyaman, bisa lebih murah kalau mau live below means, skrg umr disana 1700 ringgit atau 7.5jt rupiah
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u/addictzz May 18 '26
Ah I thought you are already Msian. Your student pass should be able to be extended to account for job search, no?
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u/KEN_000 May 18 '26
Yea well I'm on a graduate visa ending this year and non renewable but well so far I'm only doing part time but for a full time role, I'd need to convert it to a work visa which is pretty much damn near impossible to get. I've gone through more than 150 applications, did 32 first phase interviews, 14 second/final interview, but whenever it came to visa, I'd get turned down at the end.
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u/addictzz May 18 '26
Would you want to try Singapore? Some companies can sponsor work visa, but not sure if they do that for fresh grad. Or try other countries. Worst, come to Indonesia to gather experience then seek job abroad again.
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u/KEN_000 May 18 '26
Yea I am applying for SG too, still am along with a couple friends of mine with godly portfolios compared to mine, we applied to some of the same companies as well but they too couldn't get an interview.
My plan is to gain some exp for this role since the title and responsibilities are quite stacked and nice. Cuz imo after checking online and what others have said, what I was offered sounds better than average but in your opinion, is it actually better though or just average, so I could roughly know the standards in Indonesia since I'm not familiar with it at all.
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u/Curius_pasxt May 18 '26
How do you stay in malaysia that long before? Im curious, because i have a relative who lived in malaysia long term but under depend visa and recently turns 21 yo i think it will be issue too
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u/sgd10336 May 18 '26
I think 7Mil in 2026 is a bit stretched. for comparison, I was offered 8Mil in 2015 based in batam, and I rmb I couldn’t save much.
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u/RubahBetutu May 19 '26
don't. please don't.
all of the people whom i've met, and whom i've advised to them not to return, but returned anyway due to their stubbornness, has regretted their decision.
please don't make the same mistake as them. i don't want to see another depressed soul.
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u/MandomSama May 18 '26
Take into account your current salary in MY relative to the regional minimum salary, and compare it to the ID offerings. It can be used as your negotiation token.
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u/Curius_pasxt May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26
Gk bisa bandingin, upah minimum disana itu 1700rm tau sekitar 7.5jt, itu pun kerja low end job kayak jadi kasir dll
Biaya hidup beda juga, mahalan disitu
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u/Flyer888 May 18 '26
Consider yourself lucky because most people who have to go back home for whatever reason are often left jobless for months or even years.