Help = I lied….

[Headspinner]

Help….

So I applied for a new role in a new company. Overegged my base as the firm I currently work for has a pretty top end bonus structure.. Now offered the job but the base isn’t where I expected it to be, it’s within about 2% of what I said I was on.

Going crazy, I know I messed up but I really want the job… I get it, shouldn’t have done it but my head is just spinning, can’t stop thinking about what I’ve done. HELP!

How did you get to earn this much when you're so soft and unconfident? 😂

If carers were paid anywhere near your bonus, we’d not have a shortage in the profession.

This - this is the issue. In my professional capacity you would have zero idea of the thoughts in my head and how I can thrash issues through repeatedly in my head. It actually makes me more competent as that makes me work harder to understand things. And there are people I can talk to in a calm confident manner to discuss the other issues and come to resolution . Salary etc. there’s no one. So please forgive me for unburdening myself in an environment with zero risk. We all have our issues…

See reply below - at work super confident, projected, calm, controlled. Under the skin, feverishly working things out and if I feel like this on a work topic I’ll take it home and work on it hard…

In a sales role I’d always negotiate on OTE and % mix with the context of last couple of years earnings.its a complex package.

what’s the rationale for taking a cut?

Your p60 for the 21/22 year is irrelevant here - they won't ask for that & you certainly shouldn't be offering it to them. Just hand in your p45, as a PP says HMRC will send the correct figures down the line if you complete a p46 anyway so the new job will get the info eventually.

However if my maths are correct you're taking a reasonable hit on the bonus in the new job so £133k base plus £39k bonus gives you a loss of £16k overall - I'd be re-negotiating too given the much lower proposed bonus & I don't earn anywhere near your salary!

Completely different culture, more relaxed and focussed on the people than the relentless beat of the next month end / next quarter end. Yep that was the issue, base in my current place is low but OTE can be astronomical.

I made that move once (although much lower base at the time) and was completely honest that the base was notoriously low and I was looking for a net uplift on overall package. I’d consistently overachieved OTE so it was a decent discussion and in the end I almost doubled my basic in that one move (50-90).

depending on sector the job market seems pretty hot right now so I’d doubt they’ll bat an eyelid given your overall package is actually less.

also considering a move right now for all the same reasons so well done, I hope it works out for you

I really hate how almost any thread in MN where a woman is on 6 figures is treated with suspicion.
It is pure internalised misogyny. Men don’t do this - don’t pull each other down and doubt each other in the same way. This is one of the reason women end up paid less.

Well done for making the move OP.

If you are that worried about your P45 giving you away pretend it got lost in the post and ask to complete a starters checklist (Old style P46). Hmrc will send details and if they are a big enough employer then it will come in electronically and a person won't every really see the details.

I cannot believe - bearing in mind you're actually taking a substantial pay cut overall - this is even a concern.

You're a sales director, don't you embellish the truth of what you sell at times? Like say it can do more than it has proved to; will save you more money etc?

I actually think you should have gone for more on the basis you could have matched your overall previous money.

It's really silly to lie about something that is so easily verified and which is guaranteed to be included in your reference. I would expect the job offer to be retracted as it is a red flag for dishonesty. Don't lie next time!

Wow, the knives are out for the op!

Actually, internal low confidence is very common, especially among women in the workplace and yes even had at higher salaried roles. For more info, read up on the gender imbalances experienced by women in the workplace.

Op- I'd be feeling the same as you and I think your private reaction says a lot about your sense of honesty and fairness. If more people felt this way, then the issue you're stressing about wouldn't even exist.

What you've been paid in your previous role isn't relevant to your new one. Just relax and look forward to your new job.

Bullshit, most don't ask for renumeration as part of referencing.

It's actually more a red flag on the new employer that they asked tbh

Dont hand in your p45, you will have to complete HMRC new starter forms....no need to panic

Agreed, it's so strange.

Plenty of other people will look at the OPs numbers and think "ah yes, I remember when I was working my way through that level of management" and today will be on more. Far more in many cases. So they think "good on you OP, keep striving to achieve whatever it is you've set your mind to".

It's the entitled / bitterness brigade that wade in with their calls of "I call bull" and "nice humble brag".

I've come to the conclusion nobody else really listens to them in IRL, so this online forum is a nice little release valve - a chance to comment in a world where they desperately want to be heard, but their opinions are maybe very rarely sought because the audience deems it's not worth listening to.

Who knows. Sad though.
But easily ignored.
And always says more about them than the OP tbf.

Your p45 won't differentiate between base and bonus - just total so you should be ok ?

This thread reminds me of the girl who was dux of the year at my high school

After every exam she'd be an anxious, stressful mess, crying "I failed!"

Without fail she would top the class every year

🙄

Get the vibe that OP is a "Type A" overachiever & is worrying about nothing

Lying about your education/work experience is one thing.

Bluffing about your salary is another.

Am not in your country but wasn't aware that job applicants would have any legal/moral obligation to reveal their current salary!

You won't be sacked for gross misconduct. The hiring manager is highly unlikely to ever see your P45 from your last job.

If, in the unlikely event that anyone asks, say you gave your overall package including bonus.

Try to stop worrying and look forward to your new job.

Think I’m going to turn down the offer. The mental gymnastics I’m doing right now aren’t worth it. Everyone keeps saying take it but honestly I’m not sure I can start a relationship off like this. Lesson learned.

I’m not sure I can start a relationship off like this. Lesson learned.

Can pretty much guarantee the buggers that interviewed you have done it before.

Wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Don't be such a wet blanket. Have you already given your notice at your current place? If not, then I'd send the P45 and see what happens. If the role goes ahead after they have seen it, then you can hand in your notice. Otherwise you stay on where you are? FWIW, I always added all my benefits into a gross salary figure I disclose at interviews. I never want a prospective employer to base my new offer on my old base salary. I wouldn't get good salary increases if I did that and if not, what would be the point of changing jobs?

I'm not convinced new employers scrutinise anyone's p45/p60 trying to catch them out. Usually this would go straight to payroll anyway.

I'll admit to changing my job title slightly to a more senior one when I was made redundant in the pandemic and struggling for interviews. Didn't change the content of my CV in any other way but suddenly loads of interviews and a job offer a level up. It was a risk worth taking for me as I was out of work anyway but no.one has ever questioned it as usually the referencing is done by admins who just want to check you weren't dismissed.

So I don't think you need to worry

You are cutting off your nose to spite your face here. Madness. Take the role- it's a non-
Issue.

Agree this is a total non-issue and please do not turn down the job because of this. I've hired plenty of people and if they have told me their current salary (I don't ask, I ask for expectations in any negotiation) I've always assumed they're exaggerating. Doesn't everyone?! I've also never ever seen anyone's P45 or have HR ring me up asking why the salary I've offered is higher than what they're currently on based on P45... never even heard of this happening.