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Are you honest about current salary when applying for new jobs?
A few co-workers and I were talking the other day, and it brought up some good discussion which I thought I'd ask here on this board.
A few friends are looking for new jobs, and 1 of them was offered a job from another company. One of them (we'll say Amanda) is an hourly employee eligible for OT and put down she made $56k. In reality, she made around $51k. Her new employer is now asking for paystub information and 2010 tax information. She is now worried b/c she did "overcompensate" her salary, and she believes that the current company offered her new salary based on what she had told them ($56k) she was making. She fears that once she submits this new information, she will:
a) new company will lower her salary offer
b) lose her new job offer
Does anyone know the answer to this?
Re: Are you honest about current salary when applying for new jobs?
I usually decline to answer. When presented with this question I say, "I'd prefer not to discuss my current/past salary. The salary range I'm willing to consider starts at XXX." I find it incredibly strange that a company would want her tax information and pay stubs. If I were in her position, I would say that I was uncomfortable providing that personal information, but would be happy to discuss salary negotiations directly at any time.
With the job I just got, they eventually pushed me hard enough to give them my last salary, so I told them. They also did a full background check, which could have revealed some of that information, I suppose. So it's really dependent on the situation, but if you can avoid telling them, I'd avoid telling them. But I'd never lie.
Oh jeeze, what a tough situation to be in. No, I have never lied about it. In fact, I recently was hired into a new company and when my current boss was called, they asked her to confirm my salary.
They may very likely rescind her offer. Tell her to be ready for that.
If I were the hiring manager and I learned this, I would not offer her the job. It indicates that she is not honest or trustworthy.
I suggest she present the pay stub and say, "I'm sorry. I was incorrect in my earnings last year. When I pulled my W2, I realized I actually made 51K, not 56K. I did not intend to mislead you, and I apologize for this error in providing you this information." And then hope they believe it was an honest mistake and learn from this lesson and not lie again in these situations.
I'm always honest about my salary and my past employment. ALWAYS. Especially now in this job market. A lot of employers are being very particular and checking every last detail.
Why would they be asking for her paystub and tax information?!?! That seems like a red flag, has she asked why they require this information??
But yes, I'm always honest, in interviews I will say "my base salary is $$$" which leaves room for OT and bonuses.
That is creepy as all get out. Have her check if it's legal in her state to request that info.
For my current federal position, if you don't provide it the Contracting Officer can't put together a formal offer. If you want the job, you provide some proof of what you've made the last three years. You're told about this during the interview process.