Hi! I’m a recent graduate and a licensed medical professional. I graduated and passed the board exam last year. Since December 2024, I have been applying to various companies located far from my residence, such as in Taguig, Makati, and Alabang. Surprisingly, I recently received a job offer from a company in Ortigas, while I live in the CaMaNaVa area.

I had an interview today, which was quite comprehensive. I was interviewed by three people at different times throughout the day, and I was also given a test. I ended up spending about 4-5 hours completing the entire application process. While I don’t mind the time spent, I would have appreciated it if they had informed me beforehand, in the email, about the structure of the interview. The email simply mentioned that I should come to the office for an onsite interview. I understand they might not have wanted to inconvenience me by requiring a second trip, but some prior notice would have been helpful.

After the interview process, I was offered the job on the spot. The salary offered is the minimum amount I requested, and after giving it some thought, I’m unsure whether it will be sufficient to cover my daily transportation costs, especially since they do not provide a transportation allowance. I don’t also know if the salary is justifiable given that I have relevant work experience, as I’ve been working in the same field since I started college. During the interview, they mentioned that they consider me overqualified for the role and expressed interest in potentially promoting me to a leadership position in the future. Additionally, they mentioned the possibility of a salary increase after the probationary period, as well as annual salary adjustments.

Given this, I’m now contemplating whether I should accept the offer, even though I feel the salary may not be sufficient, especially considering the travel expenses and experience. Is it possible to negotiate the salary further with HR or the hiring manager? Or should I wait for other opportunities that might be a better fit (more benefits and closer to my place)?