Hidden salary in job ad sparks debate after woman's blunt exchange with employer

A woman referred to as Maija has shared her experience of contacting a potential employer, sparking a broader conversation about salary transparency in job advertisements. Although she normally avoids applying to positions where pay isn't listed, she made an exception this time and asked the employer two questions: about the work schedule and the salary.

The response she received was brief — send your CV first, and if invited for an interview, details about pay and other conditions would follow. When she pressed for a direct answer, the employer eventually named a figure: 800 euros net. When she then asked about the work schedule, she was told there was no time to discuss it at the moment. The employer later tried to call her back, but by then Maija had lost interest in the position.

Wide response online

The story generated significant discussion, with many commenters sharing similar experiences. Several noted that omitting salary information from a job ad is often a signal to skip the listing altogether. Some suggested reporting such practices to the State Labour Inspectorate. Others emphasized that a clear work schedule is just as important as salary, particularly for people with family responsibilities.

Advice for job seekers

Evita Karlsone, a talent acquisition project manager at Citadele bank, explained that sending identical, unadapted applications to multiple vacancies is one of the most common reasons candidates receive no response. She recommends tailoring each CV to the specific role, highlighting concrete achievements and contributions from previous jobs, and being selective about when a cover letter is truly needed. According to her, content matters more than design, and job seekers should also make active use of platforms like LinkedIn.