Current Salary question 2

[SpandexBobcat]

Hi folks,

I have been applying for lots of jobs recently and have been getting some really good feed back. I have had a few interviews and have got a second one on most occations. I do however have a problem...

When I was speaking to one agency guy he asked how much money it would take for me to leave my current role, but before I answered he asked how much I was on, the problem is he mistook my answer to be what money I want, not actually what I am on. In other words he thinks I am earning more than what I am and has put me forward for a job paying twice what I currently earn... I want the job and need the money but could my deception get me in trouble? If/when they ask for references could they ask my employer how much I earn and so be rumbled? And what do I tell other agencies? Could I tell a white4 lie to them about my earning too?

mildly worried,

SB

"If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

 

[RCorrigan]

If you have the qualifications, charm & charisma to get a job paying x2 your current ... CONGRATS !!!!!!!

Tell each agency the same , see what they say !!!
Don't think employers give out salary details in general .. but each co. is different

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[SQLSister]

References don't normally provide your salarly information. In most companies this is considered confidential information and the person called for the reference may not even have access to it. NOr for competition purposes do companies really want to advertise what they pay their employees. If they do a financial check, they might see that you couldn't make that much money, but I doubt the recruiter told them your current salalry, probably only told them what salary you wanted. Plus usually you do not tell the company you are leaving until you have accepted a job, so often they do not contact your current employer when doing refernce checks.

If you are qualified for the position paying twice your current salary there will not generally be a problem. However, if the recuiter thinks you will only accept 80k when you would accept 40K, you may be pricing yourself out of some job opportunities.

One rule of thumb in negotiating salary is never tell them what you make. (Yes this will rule out some companies who insist, so make up your own mind there. But more than likely if you tell them you are limiting the amount they will pay you especially if you currently make well below the local average for your position.) Tell them your current company requires you to keep that information confidential if you have to. And try always to get them to make an offer before you commit to a salary figure for what you want. With a recruiter, you generally do need to tell them what you want. Also remember when they make an offer, they are always offering at the lowest firgure they think they can get away with. They expect you to come back and ask for more money or more benefits, so go ahead and do so, just don't get too greedy about it. If they offer 60 and you come back that you want 80 they will probably pass on you, but if you come back with 62 or 65, they will probably either accept this or offer a figure between the two numbers, either way you win.

Questions about posting. See faq183-874

 

[SpandexBobcat]

Thanks for the advice folks.

RCorrigan: I have the skills/qualifications for the job and can certainly muster up the charm and charisma to seal the deal. I have already told other recruiters an exajerated truth of what I am currently on, hopefully it will bump up what I will get in whatever new role I get. (fingers crossed!)

SQLSister: It is difficult to not tell a recruiter or company what I am currently on.... for what I do the salary is embarassingly low and could give perspective employers the idea that I am not worth much. Unfortunately the company I work for is not a big payer for anyone. In regards to future questions the only thing I can do is bend the truth or abstain from answering as you suggest...

Well thanks to both of you in setting my mind at rest. I have the interview next friday for the big job so wish me luck!!!

Cheers,

SB

"If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

 

[11011110000]

Let me say this is my opinion.

I would not hire you. If you lie about your current pay, to get a job that pays more, what else will you tell a "little white lie" about? Which is evident you will do based on your "bend the truth" statement.

 

[chiph]

It sounds to me like the recruiter is setting you up for failure. He gets his cut for a few months (until the client figures out you're not what they think they're paying for). At which time he dumps you, and places the next schmuck in there.

But just to be clear, did he tell you what he was going to pay you, or what he was going to bill you out at? Because the difference between the two numbers is his profit. They always want to maximize the billing, and minimize the amount paid to the employee (you).

I would take a look at a site like

http://www.realrates.com

to compare against others with your skills.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[SpandexBobcat]

110111100000 You are entitled to your opinion but just because the recruiter mistook what question I was answering that doesn't deem me as being an overall untrustworthy person. I have never lied to recruiters in the past or to any of the prospective employees when at an interview (this emcompasses skills/experience/qualifications/salary). If I didn't have a problem with what has been said I wouldn't be on here, worried at what has happened. My 'bend the truth' statement was in regards to pay, nothing else. If I were lying about my skills then it would be a totally different matter.
If I did not have the knowledge to do the job I would be a fool to even go for it, what would be the point? Get it but loose it through not being able to for fill the role... I would not even set myself up for the fall.
When someone goes for a job there shouldn't be any perceptions made about the persons abilities on what they currently earn, it should be on the skills they can offer, their drive and commitment (amoungst others). Unfortunaltely this is not the case. Impressions are made, just as you have on me, that are not necessarily true based on partial facts that don't give a true reflection of a person.
Have you never told a white lie Mr Binary man? I would find it hard to believe if you say not.

 

[SpandexBobcat]

Just as an after thought: You say you would not employ me but you may have already employed someone who had said something similar.... How would you know? If that person can do the job you would be none the wiser. If they had said what they were on you would probably offer them less money, keeping them in the same, under paid state as before and where would be the justice in that.

"If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

 

[rasETL]

Salary is usually not included in a resume sent by a recruiter. If you get to the point in the process where you are talking salary, you can always ask if the recruiter provided any numbers.
If they do not ask, and provide an offer based on numbers the recruiter gave them - well - that's their problem. The recruiter receives a commission based on the "product" he introduces to the company, and if the recruiter provides flawed information - that's his reputation on the line, not yours.
Hope that helps.

 

[spamly]

SpandexBobcat,

I'd recommend letting your recruiter know about the miscommunication. It can be as simple as saying, "I was recalling what we were discussing the other day and I think you misunderstood me. When talking about my salary, I told you what I was looking for rather than what I'm making."

Also, as for asking for twice what you're making right now... Well, I don't see a problem there if you are really worth it. Do you have good recommendations? Did you check out chiph's link to see how you compare with your peers? Leaving the military, I had to ask for many times more than my previous salary or I'd be living on food stamps. I'd like to hope that most people will be willing to pay you what you’re worth, not what you're currently making.

Good luck!

 

[chiph]

Leaving the military, I had to ask for many times more than my previous salary or I'd be living on food stamps.

I remember those days. During basic training in 1983, the pay for an E-1 Airman Basic was $381 a month. Since then, I've had car payments higher than that. (-:

It's very possible that SpandexBobCat was significantly underpaid at his previous job. The only way to find out would be to go to a site like realrates.com, or Monster.com, to see what jobs needing similar skills are paying. Or ask friends.

Don't forget to take the local cost of living into account. If I were to move to Silicon Valley, I'd have a mortgage twice what mine is now, and be getting less house for it.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[adelef]

In 20 years of working in the technical industry, I have NEVER answered the question "What is your current salary?" It's none of their darned business. You can choose to answer the questions you want to answer and evade the others.

To that question, I ALWAYS respond "I am looking for $xxx,xxx" (fill in your amount here -- I am at a point that I expect 6 figures). And this part of the tip is crucial:

Look the interviewer right in the eye and SAY YOUR NUMBER UNAPOLOGETICALLY WITH A STRAIGHT FACE. If you are asked "Are you negotiable?", answer "Within reason."

If you are worth $xxx,xxx on the market, you should get it. If you are a reasonable person, that's extra points for you.

I've made many work mistakes but I know I have a winner with this technique. In the '90s, a veteran told me I should double my salary in every job. Times have changed but you can still get what's reasonable for your work.

 

[11011110000]

When it comes to work I haven't told a "white lie" to get any job.

chiph, take heart, although the pay for an Airman Basic had risen by 1987, I wasn't going to worry about the FDICs $100,000 protection. [smie]

I also worked as a consultant for a very large corporation and the contracting agency NEVER asked me about my pay at the time. Though it increased to more than double what I was making at the time.

If you are asked about your current pay it may be to write you off the short list of prospects. Say you answer to the question is "$90,000," and their range is $50-$60,000. You have immediately eliminated yourself from candidacy. A better reply to the question, "what is your current salary?" would be to counter with "what is the salary range you are offering?" This turns the tables on them and YOU will be in the drivers seat instead of HR or whomever. They will have no option other than to anwer because they cannot say "I asked you first." Or another good reply is "we can discuss salary later in the process once we both know we are a good match for each other." Though, they could use this to eliminate you since you didn't give them something to work with, yet, at the same time they should know you better through the interviewing and how you can be a postive impact on the company. And who knows, it may be possible because you impress them, their $60k could be increased to $75k.

 

[adelef]

11011110000 (MIS) speaks the truth.

 

[mrdenny]

I like 11011110000's idea of turning around and asking them what is there range. But how would you procede if there range is well below what you are looking for.

I'm great with the computers, but I suck at the Interview.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

 

[11011110000]

Be prepared. Look at all the salary data and cost of living in the area.

Scenario:
HR: "What is your current salary?"
You: "I am curious, what is the salary range for the position?"

(normally, salary is discuessed at the final stages when a job is offered. Which means it probably is being used to eliminate candidates if brought up initially)

HR: "$50,000"

(your current salary is $65,000)

You: "My education and technical experience meets and actually exceeds your stated requirements, and I have the ability to save your company X number of dollars as I have my previous and current employers. During my research of companies, I was particulary interested in this one because of the company's consistent ranking in Computerworld's '"Best IT Companies to work for", and because of the positivity of your employess.' It would be a privilege to work here, but I am wondering if there is room for negotiation of the salary?"

HR: "Yes, there is some."

You: "Based on my research for this position in this area with X years of experience, the typical salary is $70,000."

HR: "That seems to high for this area."

You: "It is hard to put a price tag on anything, however, when you look at the expense of technology it is to a companys advantage to employ qualified individuals. If you look at what I have done previously you will find that I saved my present company $100,000 in server cosolidation last year, plus implemented (whatever) that saved $20,000. We can discuss salary and benefits later in the process."

(this recovers you from saying "wow that is less than I currently make." It also doesn't reveal your current pay and they know that you did your research. It also allows you to give them little bites to further entice them. What company doesn't want to save tens or hundreds of thousands each year? In the closer you are showing your confidence by emphasizing your qualifications plus the emphasis that it can be discussed later. Most likely, they won't say "we need to know now." If they don't call you back then you are not any worse off and you won't have wasted any more time with them. And in the best case they are impressed and will offer you $70,000)

 

[SpandexBobcat]

I like your approach 11011110000 and may heed some of your advics this coming friday. My original issue wasn't with the company themselves but with the recruiter who approached me about the position so I will see what is brought up.

I wish I had heard your theory a few weeks ago, at the last interview I had I discovered they were offering a lower wage than the average for the role. It was a bit uncomfortable to hear this at the second interview. I expressed my view that it was lower than I had expected but they said there wasn't much room for movement.

I guess some companies have a figure in their head for the job and thats it...

"If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

 

[adelef]

There is no fixed price for anything. All is negotiable.

 

[ZoomerZ]

I am worry about OP.
As nobody worth twice just because they want to be.

Once I was interviewed and I could sense something is wrong as I didn't know anything I was asked about. Happened that guy interviewed me for $50K with $100K someone elses Resume. So it DOES feel like overload.

Unless contract vs permanent, then it is possible, but not DOUBLE, don't kid yourself. And good luck!

P.S. Also remember = people tend not to tell the truth. If you've heard someone got it - doubt it.

 

[SpandexBobcat]

Just as a re-cap....

I had the interview (it is a perm job to let you know) it went well and there was no mention of my current salary so I didnt have to cross that bridge.

There were however some aspects of the job that I had not done before and would therefore require some training. Unfortunately as a result of that I couldn't quite command the wage that was originally quoted to me, so don't panic folks, no one is going to be paying me twice what I was on! Still a good step up though.

I am waiting for confirmation of a second interview now.

SB

"If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.