Salary expecations - is this right?

[Wonderbug81]

I spoke to a recruiter recently who said my current salary was under what it should be for my role and experience by at least £15k (I know this is true because 4 other recruiters said similar)!

The recruiter advised me to say I am on (example salary) £80k rather than the £65k I am actually on if asked about it by potential employers.

Couldn't this backfire on me? Wouldn't my P45 be a clue as to my real salary?

Yes that’s poor advice. If asked about current salary I would say something along the lines of “I’m exploring the market as I’m aware my current employer pays well below the market. My expectations for a role at this level are …”

I agree with @Katrinawaves and have done this myself in the past. Be clear that you understand the market and feel you are currently underpaid. It has the benefit of also making the “why are you leaving current employer” discussion easier.

You can't lie about current salary but you can be clear about salary expectations- I.e currently on £65 but looking for £80-85k for new role.

Also point out that the salary number is only part of the equation and that the whole package including benefits is the important thing, and that the existing salary is irrelevant. What is important is the value you'll bring to the role and what that is worth.

Great thank you. Yes so far I've been focusing on 'the whole package' discussions so will stick to that.

Why can't you lie? I always up my salary in these conversations; I was once immediately and audibly put in the "no" pile when I was honest about my then woefully underpaid role. Never again. This recruitment game is a farce but I still play it.

Because if the lie is discovered, your new employer will know that you will lie to their face about financial matters and if you feel it will benefit you. Which is not a great way to start your career somewhere new.

Maybe a way of circumventing the 'lie' is to say you were paid (true salary), but they gave you 10k of shares, company car and allowance, bonus etc... which they can't easily find out, which adds up to the total you believe you're worth?

Some places I've worked would not employ you for doing that, or worse, would dismiss you once started when they noticed.

Are there real stories of this happening though? P45s aren't a requirement to start a new job. Recruiters shouldn't even ask to begin with, I'm starting to think it's a red flag for a place that is looking to pay as little as possible. Salary equals role value, and subsequently reflects overall company culture.

Recruiters are always going to tell you higher salary. £12k- £15k is a standard suggested bump.

Don't lie. Don't use any recruiter that suggests lying. Find someone with a bit of integrity.

Just tell interviewers you your salary expectations are x to y, or "greater than z". If true you can say you are considering a number of opportunities.

Yes. It's an integrity thing. The view of that employer (large financial institution) was that it was dishonesty, and they had a zero tolerance policy for it. I had to tell the candidate after they'd started so I know it happened.

Fair enough.

I've always added 5k onto my salary when asked
it's never backfired and helped me climb the salary ladder pretty quickly. ----

I'd feel very uncomfortable lying so will stick with the truth. I'd not volunteer my current salary upfront but it's already come up on a couple of job applications. 🙄

Really wish they'd focus on salary expectations and not what you're currently on, should all be based on what you show you're capable of. Also I've stayed at the company for ten years and generally, progressing within a company never pays as well as moving around.

I was so awfully underpaid when I was building my career after years as a sahm, I wasn't taken seriously when I was honest. I don't know what to say about the integrity aspect, I believe the story, but I have never been out to swindle an organisation by not being honest with my salary. I think the conversation is better when it focuses on expectations for the new role than your current salary. That shouldn't matter, unless they are looking to pay as little as possible.

The recruiter gets paid a higher commission if you get paid more so it's in their best interest for you to negotiate higher

I never disclose my current salary to recruiters, I ask the range for the role and tell them whether I’m interested in continuing the conversation. Mostly they ask so they can lowball you and in my opinion it’s unacceptable and perpetuates discriminatory pay practices. You don’t have to lie, you just answer the question with a question of your own.

Do not lie but decline to tell them your salary. Or tell them that it is "competitive". 😂

I agree with all of this. Also, I'm not going through the hassle of changing roles so that you can pay me same as my current job. Forget that.
I'm at the upper end for my role atm though so if asked I say "my current salary is..." so that they know I will expect more.

You are under no obligation to disclose your current salary. It is a private matter. All that is relevant is the package you would want to do the role advertised.

I highly doubt anyone who hires you will ever see your P45.

Your P45 goes to payroll nor hiring/line manager.

I would always round up a bit with my existing salary.