Is it ok to lie about your salary in an interview?

[LegalEagle-ish]

I've got two interviews this week and am hoping to break out of the bottom rung of legal pay which is worse paid than a McJob, but I know that the interviwer will ask me what my curent salary is in order to gaugue what level they can offer me.

So as a relative newcomer to all this professional malarky, I'd like to know if it's ok to lie about your current salary when going for a job interview?

Advice please.

Edited for crappy spelling.

[????]

mmmmm......you're going for a job in law, I'd be tempted to be honest.....at least until you get in Court

[Mikecg]

No, because when they get your P45 they will know what your previous salary was so it's a bad idea although you'll be working for them when they find out so they may just let it ride but if there's a jobs worth micro manager in HR you could be out of a job or finding yourself in an awkward situation.

[LegalEagle-ish]

So how do I get round the laughable salary? Just say I'd rather not discuss such personal issues?

[RosieH]

Well the reality is that everyone does it, but if you get found out they could sack you. And you could get found out quite easily - when you give them your p45 it'll have your earnings on it - depending on the size of the company you're going to, the accounts team may be very far removed from your interviewer or they may not (oops, cross-posted with Mike)

Best to be creative in respect to your salary - do you have any benefits / bonuses currently that you can work into a "package" that basically bumps up your salary by a few grand.

Or tell them your salary expectations (I haven't been asked my actual salary for some time, but have been asked expectations). If they ask for specifics have something prepared about how you've now completed x amount of time since you qualified, you're now looking for remuneration that reflects that.

And if all else fails, you can always play them off against one another.

[LegalEagle-ish]

Haha that's if they actually want me tho!

[RosieH]

Regardless - that's one thing they won't know for certain - you don't have to tell them where the other place is!

[Keef]

Be honest and tell them you feel you're being undervaled for what you are doing at your current firm.

[LegalEagle-ish]

I like the 'expectations' part.

I think I may skip the current salary question if I can and just say what my expectations are.

But saying what I've been offered by the other one might be good too.

[Mikecg]

It' a toughie though admittedly, all you can do is tell the truth and if what they offer you is within your expectations you'll be well on your way.

[red devil]

Is that normal for the legal profession then, it depends what you earn now?

If I got asked that question I would never say what I was currently earning, instead I'd turn the question around and tell them what I'd realistically would like to earn. It's accepted most people move jobs to earn more money. Always ask for a little more than you actually want, that way they think they have won when you 'compromise' down to a lower figure. It's all a game...good luck!

[LegalEagle-ish]

Yeh, I think you are right.

Thanks, I didn't realise it was considered so serious to lie about your salary!

Obviously lying about your qualifications or work experience is bad, but I assumed the salary bit wasn't.

I'm thinking that I may just have to fess up or turn it round.

[Brendan]

Don?t lie about it. It?s not worth the repercussions. The fact that your salary is "laughable" as you say, wont effect how they think of you as a candidate. There are reasons for that, being newly qualified etc.

I have interviewed plenty of people and honesty backed up by qualifications and experience is more important than them showing off. I?m sure this is different in some lines of work but you aren?t applying for a job at Foxtons or some recruitment consultancy.

Also, and I know this sounds shit, but if they know they can pay you a grand or 2 less than the next candidate it may just land you the job. Sounds crap I know but it may just pay off in the long run and you will be one rung up if you decide to change jobs again in a few months.

[paragon]

It is a play-off - tell a lie and get a lot more money with very small risk. Don't tell a lie and be offered a lot less money with no risk. No-one could sack you for verbally giving a figure of what your salary was in interview. I wouldn't lie on a form if you could avoid it but if I was you I would looking on jobserve and see what was resonable for the experience you have an say that was your salary.

[Andystar]

Holy cr*p, i lied abt salaries etc all the time...even tell my employers that i play tennis.

Btw, does anyone wanna employ a young eager happy go lucky tennis playing chap who'll work hard for ???, I finish my contract at my current job at the end of the month.

[Mikecg]

I lied once then got vetted and dirt twas dished I am now MOD cleared so I can get a job with James Bond now, well I could make him a cuppa or fix his laptop.

[Brendan]

I?ve never lied in order to get a job or as part of any job. Even when I worked as a barman and I had to deal with the fukwits who are the general public on a daily basis.

If you want to be a sales arse of some kind or some city slave or PR fucker go ahead and lie but if you want to be one of the decent people make it a general principle that you don?t lie, ever.

Sorry, being emphatic but I?ve had too much brandy.

[????]

I tend to agree with Brendan on this.....cigar Brendan?

[Brendan]

Why thank you old chap.

*Offers a ?significant? handshake and rustles his copy of The Times.*

Now who else can I set to rights...

[Marmora Man]

LE - in my experience when recruiting I have an idea what I'm prepared to pay rather than trying to penny pinch by just topping the current salary of the successful candidate. If they choose you - you are in the driving seat to negotiate the salary, particularly if both interviews come good and you have two offers. You shouldn't be asked salary at the interview - and if you are it's an unprofessional interview and question.

You don't have to lie - simply tell them that you've been in a lowly paid job to gain experience but now you are looking for a professionally appropriate salary.

[ruffers]

Marmora Man Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> LE - in my experience when recruiting I have an

> idea what I'm prepared to pay rather than trying

> to penny pinch by just topping the current salary

> of the successful candidate. If they choose you -

> you are in the driving seat to negotiate the

> salary, particularly if both interviews come good

> and you have two offers. You shouldn't be asked

> salary at the interview - and if you are it's an

> unprofessional interview and question.

>

> You don't have to lie - simply tell them that

> you've been in a lowly paid job to gain experience

> but now you are looking for a professionally

> appropriate salary.

Agree with you for the most part but why do you say asking about salary is unprofessional?

[Marmora Man]

Ruffers - just my view that it sends a poor signal to any potential candidate - making the ommpany seem more interested in cost than quality.

[RosieH]

Brendan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> If you want to be a sales arse of some kind or

> some city slave or PR @#$%& go ahead and lie

Well this PR cunt never told a lie to get a payrise and I seemed to do ok.

That said, bear in mind that whatever salary you go in at will set the tone for the years to come. Go with expectations reflecting your experience, skill, tenacity and all-round brilliance and don't sell yourself short.

And Brendan - seriously the world's gone tits up because of shitehawk bankers and crazy property markets, and PR gets the asterisks??? I'm gonna have to fight you. (Sorry bankers).

[Brendan]

Rosie as I?m sure you have gleaned from my further posts I was being a bit OTT and took the piss out of myself for being so. Just setting the tone with general generalisations, etc. No need to take personal* offence.

*or is that personnel?

[Brendan]

And FYI, Who the fuck uses stupid TLAs like OTT?

Arseholes !