Lying about previous salary to new employer.

[paystub]

Hi everyone,

Is it possible to lie about your previous salary to a new employer and get hike to your salary?

[bjl584]

Anything is possible. Don't pad your stats too much though. You might get caught.

[ua_guy]

Hi everyone,

Is it possible to lie about your previous salary to a new employer and get hike to your salary?

I've been asked how much I made at my previous job in offer conversations and interviews.

They're trying to do one of two things:

1) They're trying to validate that you're a fit for the range of salary they're offering. That's easy. Politely decline to tell them, but then ask what their salary range is for the position, if both of you are trying to establish financial fit for the position. If my desired income is within their range, I will tell them I'm still interested in the position and I hope we can reach an agreement. If it's not even close, I'll give them a number of where I want to be at. If they're unable to match or negotiate, then I'll tell them the position isn't a good fit and the discussion can end there.

2) They're banking on the fact that your previous employer probably screwed you to the wall and are hoping to make the position a lateral jump for you, or to best it by a meager percentage which is still likely to be woefully under market value. In that case, I also politely decline to comment and ask them to make their best offer.

If it's a box on an application, leave it blank. If it's a question asked directly of you, see the advice above. If it's posed in the form of "how much would you like to make?" I've stated "$10 Million per year!" -without flinching, and then we laugh about it. If they press for a real number, shoot high market but be reasonable considering how much you want the job and the level of skill you have to offer. If you don't know the market ranges for the job, don't set foot in an interview until you do.

They're buying your labor. People generally sell themselves woefully short, thinking they might be asking too much or too proud of themselves. If you're talking offers, they already want you and it's not wrong to be brazen and shoot for high dollar. If it's within their range, they'll find a way to make it happen.

Does that help?

Don't lie. DO NOT LIE. Especially if you're shopping within the same industry. Decline to comment but don't lie.

[edg126]

My concern has always been that most employers outsource to do background checks, which means they probably forward the application, so any historic time you listed salary on an application the employment verification company could have other numbers. All conjecture, but I've worked with a lot of data vendors and everything is out there.

I went the honest route with my current employer. In 2010 I made 83000, was laid off, took a consulting job for 2 months making 54000 a year, then took a full time job making 70,000 (just to get whatever I could). When asked what my current salary, "I make 70 now, but only considering positions in the range from my 83K employer." They offered my 86500.

[Leo]

I never lied to a job interview but I never tell my current income as well. Before the interview, I always upfront on what salary range I am looking for.

[elessar78]

Don't lie. But be very judicious in how you give out information. Information is power.

Like others I flip it around. I politely decline to answer and ask them what their range is and they've always given me their range first. Practice this maneuver. It's not enough to think it. Say it out loud, ask a friend or spouse to rehearse.

If they press for my number, I tell them I want to hear about the job first. If it feels right, I draw an analogy to a contractor, say, remodeling a kitchen. Re-facing kitchen cabinets is going to be a much less costly job than turning it into a gourmet, luxury kitchen. BECAUSE you don't want to set your value only to find out later that you're expected to work 60 hours a week as opposed to the 40 you were working.

[jIM_Ohio]

Lying (in writing) on an employment application is grounds for immediate termination.

Do not lie.


When it comes to filling in an employment application, always inflate expected salary by 20-25% (if you want $80k, ask for $100k).

A few other strategies-

When job searching, know who hires fast, and interview there first. Get that offer on the table, and put a start date of about 6 weeks later onto the new hire paperwork. Then when interviewing, make sure the HR people know you have an offer on table (don't tell hiring manager this). HR will know to check references quickly and to be efficient. Tell them you are interviewing because you like this job better, (and say why), but also know employers don't like to be bullied.

[paystub]

Thanks all for your valuable suggestions.

[Gary4587]

I think this is universal lie these days.

[johnzendrac16]

I rather not lie to my employer. Honesty will always be the best to have a better career.

[paystub]

I've been asked how much I made at my previous job in offer conversations and interviews.

They're trying to do one of two things:

1) They're trying to validate that you're a fit for the range of salary they're offering. That's easy. Politely decline to tell them, but then ask what their salary range is for the position, if both of you are trying to establish financial fit for the position. If my desired income is within their range, I will tell them I'm still interested in the position and I hope we can reach an agreement. If it's not even close, I'll give them a number of where I want to be at. If they're unable to match or negotiate, then I'll tell them the position isn't a good fit and the discussion can end there.

2) They're banking on the fact that your previous employer probably screwed you to the wall and are hoping to make the position a lateral jump for you, or to best it by a meager percentage which is still likely to be woefully under market value. In that case, I also politely decline to comment and ask them to make their best offer.

If it's a box on an application, leave it blank. If it's a question asked directly of you, see the advice above. If it's posed in the form of "how much would you like to make?" I've stated "$10 Million per year!" -without flinching, and then we laugh about it. If they press for a real number, shoot high market but be reasonable considering how much you want the job and the level of skill you have to offer. If you don't know the market ranges for the job, don't set foot in an interview until you do.

They're buying your labor. People generally sell themselves woefully short, thinking they might be asking too much or too proud of themselves. If you're talking offers, they already want you and it's not wrong to be brazen and shoot for high dollar. If it's within their range, they'll find a way to make it happen.

Does that help?

Don't lie. DO NOT LIE. Especially if you're shopping within the same industry. Decline to comment but don't lie.

You are absolutely right, because most employers do background checking of employees and if we lie we might get caught and fired by the company. At the end its all about taking a risk of your job..

[Daniel88]

I'd be wary of doing this to be honest. Nothing wrong with setting your salary expectations, however, be realistic and honest.

[paystub]

I'd be wary of doing this to be honest. Nothing wrong with setting your salary expectations, however, be realistic and honest.

You are right Daniel88...