The High Stakes of Hiring: What 2025’s Compensation Negotiation Landscape Demands from Employers

“In today’s job market, negotiation isn’t a final step – it’s the make-or-break moment.” That was one of the many punchlines dropped at Compensation Negotiation: How to Win Great Hires at the Right Price in 2025, an exclusive event held on Friday, 16 May, at Alila SCBD, Jakarta.

Hosted by RecruitFirst Indonesia and HRnetRimbun, the event brought together HR professionals, business leaders, and hiring managers to discuss what’s next in compensation strategy – and how to avoid costly missteps in a market where expectations and realities are increasingly misaligned.

Why Compensation Negotiation Matters More Than Ever

“We’re no longer in a market where you can just throw numbers and hope they stick,” said Kelvin, Business Manager of RecruitFirst Indonesia, who opened the session with a candid view of Indonesia’s current hiring environment.

As Kelvin explained, macroeconomic headwinds – from high interest rates to a weakened rupiah and global uncertainties – are tightening corporate salary budgets. “Companies are forced to be cautious. They want great hires, but they’re limited in how far they can stretch,” he said.

But while companies are cautious, candidates are still ambitious. Fueled by expectations carried over from the post-pandemic hiring boom in 2021–2022, many professionals – especially in tech, finance, and FMCG – are still aiming for salary jumps of 25–50%.

At the same time, top-tier talent is scarce. Only around 20% of the Indonesian workforce hold a diploma or university degree. English proficiency hovers at just 10.6%, and in a country of over 270 million, only 8 out of every 10,000 people graduate in STEM fields – underscoring the limited supply of highly skilled, globally competitive talent.

“This is where negotiation becomes critical,” Kelvin emphasized.

What Goes Into a Successful Negotiation?

If Kelvin presented the “why,” Rubby Lim, Business Leader at HRnetRimbun, dove into the “how.”

Rubby introduced attendees to practical negotiation strategies that recruiters and hiring managers can use to shape compelling offers – without necessarily increasing salary.

“Salary is only one part of the conversation,” Rubby explained. “Think of what else you can offer – career growth, company trajectory, flexible work arrangements, even the hiring manager’s leadership reputation. These are levers you can and should pull.”

She also touched on simple but powerful negotiation techniques, such as:

• Helping candidates weigh Pros & Cons
• Drawing objective comparisons between offers
• Using future-focused storytelling to paint what success could look like
• Offering mutual concessions that create win-win outcomes

Each technique, as Rubby noted, is less about persuasion and more about clarity.

An Event Worth Sketching

Beyond the main talk, guests also enjoyed a live portrait sketch experience, where attendees could bring home custom artwork – a small creative moment amidst a business-focused afternoon. The event closed with a lively networking session, giving professionals across industries the chance to swap ideas and challenges in an informal setting.

🎥 Missed It? Catch the Highlights

Watch the event recap video to revisit key takeaways and moments from the session.

Need Help Closing Offers in 2025?

Hiring the right people is tough, closing them is tougher. If your team is facing roadblocks in the offer stage or struggling to align compensation packages with market expectations, we’re here to help.

Book a one-on-one consultation with our senior leaders or reach out to explore how we can support your next hire.