I am an Indian female who was into software development for quite a few years and later took a break of six years. I plan to come back to the industry now.
I have learnt the latest technologies that are used these days, latest versions of languages/tools that I worked on earlier. I am confident about my skill set.
I have done research on what the compensation range is these days who have a similar skill set. I have taken a lot of pointers from workplace SE and learnt a few more things as well. With all this info in hand, I have set out on a job hunt.
For the uninitiated, a part of the process, here in India, involves the recruiter gathering details about my last drawn salary and expected salary among other details.
After applying for a few companies, I have observed the following.
- Not mentioning my last drawn salary and saying that 'I do not wish to disclose ' does not help. They need that value and it is later verified after the candidate joins the company. The company takes a copy of that salary stub, employment letter etc.
- Companies give a 20-30% hike on my last drawn salary. It does not matter if the last drawn salary was a month ago, an year ago, or six years ago.
- No matter how good my skill set is, this is the range that they would stick to.
- If I state my expected salary as per my research, my CV is rejected right away.
- Career gap is mentioned innumerable times by the recruiters and they expect me to settle for the hike as mentioned above.
I really wish to be in the current market salary trend. I am confident about my skill set and my abilities. Gap was and is never a reason for me and I can pick up stuff at a reasonably good pace.
Question
After reading few other answers from this exchange, I have learnt that I should not lower my expectations. But, how should I approach my current situation?
Edit:
I understand that it is not reasonable to expect me to be in the same salary range of those who are already in the industry. Though I am not expecting to be exactly in that range, a -30% to -10% of the current market standards is what I am expecting.
At the same time, I have considered the inflation too and put forward the same to the recruiters. None of them consider the inflation factor. How should I put across this point in a more reasonable manner?
P.S: I am unable to add a new tag. Anyone who is eligible to add new ones, kindly add career-gap or career-break to my list of tags.
P.P.S: Mine is not a duplicate as suggested. This is very much specific to the Indian region and also the career break comes into the picture.