Hey - people who employ people - if I lie about my salary on an application form...

[Slambang]

would it be very bad?

I'm in a very low paid role and applying for a job more than double my current salary. If the employers see my current real measly salary wont they think I'm not a serious contender? Could I inflate it by just a bit or is that a big no no?

If you get the job, they will know you have lied when they get your P45, so I would say big no no.

thanks sowhat -food for thought.

But it's a massive organisation so the chances that the actual people who interview or select me (here's hoping) would not be the HR person who does the paperwork so I'm still tempted.

I must be a very bad person!

I agree: integrity is always an important consideration in any job, and people who turn out to be lying shouldn't get through the door. It's your choice what you say on an application form: you could explain that you are doing this lowly paid job because ... (whatever the real reason is). Don't be put off by the form: express yourself and say why you would be good at the advertised job :-)

oh, I so knew you were all going to say that coz MNers are all decent people who don't tell lies on application forms.

It's what I would say to anyone too. I just so don't want to scupper my chances by looking like a little fish in a big pond.

IME A standared reference would ask for confirmation of job title and salary to deal with this type of thing.

You need to demonstrate that your current job (or a pervious one) gives you the skills. I have in the employed someone for a role which resulted in a £15K salary rise because they were able to convinced me they were under paid in their current role and really could do the job.

Don't lie about things that can be verified it will bite you on the bum

What sowhat says and I know that it does happen because I placed someone who's offer was retracted when the references came back and the firm filled in the "current salary" section........
If that doesn't catch you the P45 will

Not worth it

OK ok you've convinced me. You are all wise and good and so I will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but.

Promise.

And thanks for the answers. You've made me see sense.

Good luck

No worries, it is very tempting!

DH had a job offer declined because he did this.