A salary can look attractive on a job advert until you find out that the amount is actually the gross salary.
Before you get excited about a salary figure, make sure you understand what you will actually take home.
A candidate once applied for a job because the salary caught her attention.
The advert stated an attractive salary range. She met the requirements, applied, and was invited for an interview.
After the interview, she reached out to me.
“The salary they mentioned during the interview is different from what was written in the job advert.”
I asked her to send me the advert.
When I checked it, I noticed one important word:
Gross.
So I asked her, “Do you know what gross salary means?”
She said no.
And honestly, many job seekers may not know the difference between gross and net salary.
So let's break it down.
What is Gross Salary?
Gross salary is your total salary before deductions.
Depending on the employment arrangement, deductions may include things like tax, pension, health insurance, and other applicable deductions.
For example, if a company offers you ₦500,000 gross, you should not automatically assume that ₦500,000 will enter your bank account.
What is Net Salary?
Net salary is the amount you actually take home after the applicable deductions have been made.
So if a job advert says ₦500,000 gross, your actual take-home pay may be less than ₦500,000.
Always ask before accepting an offer
This is why you should never assume that the salary figure on a job advert is the amount you will receive in your bank account.
During an interview or before accepting an offer, ask:
“Is the stated salary gross or net?”
It is a simple question, but it can prevent a lot of confusion later.
Final Thought
Don't just look at the salary figure.
Understand what the figure actually means.
Before accepting your next job offer, make sure you know your gross salary, expected deductions, and estimated take-home pay.
It is better to ask questions before accepting an offer than to be surprised after your first salary payment.
