In a significant development for job seekers in Singapore, Luqman Naqib, a recent graduate from the National University of Singapore (NUS), has launched "Lowball," a website designed to help individuals determine if they are being offered salaries below the market rate.
After completing his degree in data science in May 2025, Luqman faced the challenges of the competitive job market. Despite sending out approximately 300 job applications over nine months, he received an offer for a tech role with a monthly salary of $3,500. This figure was notably lower than the $5,000 median gross salary for graduates from his course, as reported in the latest Graduate Employment Survey at that time.
Faced with this disparity, Luqman reached out to friends and former classmates to gauge the fairness of his offer. He discovered that many of his peers were also accepting offers below their expectations, often due to job insecurity and a lack of negotiation skills. This collective experience highlighted a broader issue: the absence of transparent, real-time salary information for job seekers in Singapore.
Motivated by this gap, Luqman developed "Lowball," a platform that aggregates data from over 200,000 job postings on Singapore's MyCareersFuture portal. The website utilizes artificial intelligence to provide users with a benchmark, allowing them to compare their offers against similar roles in the market. This tool aims to empower job seekers with the information needed to assess whether they are being "lowballed"—offered salaries significantly below the current market rate for similar positions.
The creation of "Lowball" comes at a time when salary growth in Singapore has shown signs of slowing. In 2025, nominal wages rose by 4.9%, a decrease from the 5.6% increase recorded in 2024. Despite this, real wages grew by 4%, up from 3.2% the previous year. This indicates that while salaries are increasing, they may not be keeping pace with the rising cost of living.
Experts suggest that candidates should evaluate total compensation packages, including bonuses, equity, benefits, and flexibility, rather than focusing solely on base salary. Negotiating professionally and being prepared to walk away from offers that do not meet reasonable expectations are also recommended strategies.
Luqman's initiative reflects a growing trend among young professionals to seek greater transparency and fairness in compensation. By providing a platform for salary comparison, "Lowball" aims to equip job seekers with the tools necessary to make informed decisions and advocate for fair pay in an increasingly competitive job market.
As the job market continues to evolve, platforms like "Lowball" may play a crucial role in bridging the information gap, ensuring that job seekers are not undervalued and are compensated fairly for their skills and experience.
In conclusion, Luqman Naqib's development of "Lowball" addresses a pressing need in Singapore's employment landscape. By leveraging technology to provide real-time salary data, the platform empowers job seekers to assess their offers critically and negotiate effectively, fostering a more equitable job market for all.
The success of "Lowball" could inspire similar initiatives in other regions, promoting transparency and fairness in compensation practices worldwide.
As more job seekers utilize such tools, it is anticipated that employers will become more attuned to market standards, leading to more competitive and fair salary offerings across various industries.
Ultimately, the emergence of platforms like "Lowball" signifies a positive shift towards greater equity and transparency in the job market, benefiting both job seekers and employers alike.
By fostering an environment where compensation is aligned with market standards and individual qualifications, the platform contributes to a more balanced and fair employment ecosystem.
In summary, "Lowball" serves as a valuable resource for job seekers, offering them the insights and tools needed to navigate the complexities of salary negotiations and ensuring they receive fair compensation for their expertise and contributions.
As the platform gains traction, it is expected to become an integral part of the job search process, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and advocate for their worth in the professional world.
In the long term, the widespread adoption of such platforms could lead to a more transparent and equitable job market, where compensation is determined by merit and market value, rather than negotiation skills or information asymmetry.
This evolution could result in a more satisfied and productive workforce, as individuals feel valued and fairly compensated for their work.
In conclusion, Luqman Naqib's "Lowball" represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by job seekers in Singapore, providing them with the tools and information necessary to ensure they are not undervalued in the job market.
As the platform continues to evolve and expand, it holds the potential to transform the landscape of salary negotiations, promoting fairness and transparency in compensation practices across the globe.
The initiative underscores the importance of leveraging technology to address real-world challenges, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and advocate for their rights in the professional sphere.
By fostering a culture of transparency and fairness, "Lowball" contributes to the creation of a more equitable and just job market, where all individuals have the opportunity to be compensated fairly for their skills and contributions.
In the end, the success of "Lowball" could serve as a model for similar initiatives worldwide, inspiring a global movement towards fair and transparent compensation practices in the workplace.
As more individuals and organizations recognize the value of such platforms, it is hoped that the principles of fairness, transparency, and equity will become standard practices in the global job market.