How honest about salary in a headhunter conversation

[Littlepaleale]

Help!! I’m about to meet with a headhunter about a job they approached me about. My experience is a great fit and I have loads of ideas and questions about it. Thought I was perfect for it until I found out the salary (upper end is 40% more than my current salary) and immediately started second guessing myself about being good enough. Rationally, I am ready for a challenge and more than capable,

my question is, how do I play the salary question? If I tell them my true salary and package will they write me off for the role? In the brief conversation so far, I tried to talk about my salary expectations but know they are going to want to pin me down on current package.

am chronically bad at talking about and negotiating this stuff. Any advice or moral support welcome!

[redskyatnight]

I would just go in by saying "I'm looking for £x" You don't have to tell then your current salary. Presumably one reason for moving is that you'd like more money!

[MarmiteCoriander]

I would avoid the question about your your current wage, and phrase it more as what you expect/are worth. Multiple studies have shown that males will go for roles they don't meet the criteria for- even in the wage area. I Don't know your gender- but go for it. Why do they need your current salary?

If you are a clear fit- its irrelevant what you are on now. Focus on what YOU can bring to the team.

[HidingFromDD]

Go with ‘salary expectations are…’ and this should be at least current plus 20% in the current market, which would put you in the right ballpark. If the ask about current salary then you can either ‘prefer not to discuss, expectations are in line with those offered for other roles I’m progressing’ or you could disclose ‘package’ of around £x but this would include base, pension, any extras.

its ok not to disclose though. They will know what the market rate is. Just be aware that they’ll only pay the top bracket if you tick everybox and are currently doing the same role, expect a lower offer if this is a promotion/step up for you..

also be mindful though that the biggest salary jumps are generally when you move jobs so don’t undersell yourself

[GroggyLegs]

Tell them what you want! And as PP said, make sure you include any car/ bonus/ share options/ pension contributions/ staff discounts in your considerations.

Your current salary is not a measure of your worth. The likelihood is your current employer has been underpaying you for years & your true value is higher. Do not underestimate yourself.

Best of luck

[FictionalCharacter]

Tell them what your salary expectations are but don't lie about what you get now. I found out that someone I offered a job to had lied about his current salary, and I was furious. He didn't take the job anyway and told us that he used the salary offer from us to negotiate a pay rise in his current job. I would never have been able to trust him if we'd taken him on and found out later that he'd lied.

[Littlepaleale]

thanks everyone! Really helpful, and just the morale boost needed.

i am female @MarmiteCoriander! And have had a long stint in one organisation which I think is reflected in my current salary. It goes against everything in me to lie about it so i feel much happier talking about what I am looking for. I will practice some confident responses to the direct question!!