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

[Queen of Dulwich]

I don't lie about my current salary either - I just don't tell them. I work in a job where I deal with confidential stuff and my line is always that I treat my contract and terms of employment as confidential as well. How would they feel if their staff discussed their wages around the water cooler? They expect that things like this are being kept confidential in their company but apparently jobseekers are fair game and suddenly it is OK to break the rules of contract...No way!

I was once told that I lost a job because of this - but it's their loss not mine B)

[Queen of Dulwich]

I don't lie about my current salary either - I just don't tell them. I work in a job where I deal with confidential stuff and my line is always that I treat my contract and terms of employment as confidential as well. How would they feel if their staff discussed their wages around the water cooler? They expect that things like this are being kept confidential in their company but apparently jobseekers are fair game and suddenly it is OK to break the rules of contract...No way!

I was once told that I lost a job because of this - but it's their loss not mine B)

[TillieTrotter]

Good girl Legal. Fingers crossed for you.

[TillieTrotter]

Good girl Legal. Fingers crossed for you.

[indiepanda]

Never worth lying about something like salary - too easy to get caught out from your P45 and who wants to employ someone in a position of trust like a lawyer who lies.

Better to explain your expectations and what other companies are offering similar roles at. In any case, if they offer you a salary that you feel is too low to make it worthwhile moving jobs, you can always get your agency to reject the offer and see if they come back with something better. Some will offer what they think they can get away with but have some scope to move within the pay band for the role. Only worth doing if you really don't want to move for what they have offered you though.

[BigPhil]

Last time I was asked my earnings , I answered with " the ball park I'm looking for is ?... - ?......

As people have previously said , why would an interviewer want to know what you are on in your old job? , they get that info from your P45 , and they should have a plan of what they are going to offer you regards of your previous salary

is legal work really that bad?

[SteveT]

Being a lying crooked robbing bar stud is an essential skill for this reptillian profession, and you warrant a salary commensurate with your talents in this field.

?800 quid a letter or an hour is frequently charged these days I read somewhere.

You will no doubt change your posting name to jamscoffin'git or similar when you get this meal ticket confirmed LEish.

Best of luck.

[louisiana]

Employers lie. When our employer has three sets accounts, each for a different audience...

Clients lie. I once had to occupy the office of one with a borrowed dog, to get the money they owed me. B)

So should you refrain? But it is better, safer, to be economical with the truth, and to talk about the future rather than the past. You want to build a relationship of trust if you can, 'cos things are nicer that way.