The aim of this survey is to collect information on the salary adjustment of job seekers in different job functions in Hong Kong between 2007 and 2008. Besides, information on whether job seekers have changed jobs and their job-hunting intentions, benefits and bonus received in 2008 are collected for analysis. These findings will help:

•  Job seekers review their present salary, and adjust their expected salary / benefits when they go job hunting.
•  Companies make informed hiring decisions, and pay/benefit adjustment on the current staff.

2. Survey Coverage:

The survey covered 5,816 job seekers coming from 15 job functions. Among them, 73% of job seekers did not change jobs in 2008. The remaining 27% changed jobs in 2008.

3. Datum Point

Present basic monthly salaries (excluding any bonuses, but including commission) of surveyed job seekers as at 1 May 2008 were recorded and adjustment of basic monthly salaries compared with that in 2007 is also captured. Fringe benefits and whether job seekers have changed jobs in 2008 and their job-hunting intentions are also surveyed.

4. Data Collection Method:

The survey was conducted by an online questionnaire. Job seekers were invited through e-mail to fill in the questionnaire by early June 2008.

5 . Data Analysis

Surveyed job seekers were requested to provide data of their basic monthly salaries in 2008, salary adjustment compared with that in 2007, whether they have changed jobs in 2008 or are looking for new jobs, reasons of changing jobs in 2008 or looking for new jobs, degree of urgency in looking for new jobs and benefits received in 2008.

The data was analyzed to determine the “arithmetic average” for basic monthly salaries, salary adjustment, satisfaction rate and bonus received. For the situation of having changed jobs or looking for new jobs and benefits provided, “percentage” was to be determined.

Separate analyses were carried out by grouping the job positions according to their job functions and career levels. Another analysis was conducted to identify any differences that might exist:

1) among 15 job functions

2) between the status of whether having changed job in 2008