Is it okay to lie about salary history when applying for a job?

[SunnyD]

Especially when you are currently extremely underpaid in a given market... I have been told that legally, prospective employers have no way to verify your past or present salaries.

 

[razor2025]

You don't have to give them an exact number. If your salary was $35k/yr, just say "upper range of 30's" or something of that sort. If you give them your present job as a reference, your old boss might give it out when asked, so I would check up on that.

 

[Triforceofcourage]

What is the point of lying. I once had an employer try to low ball me because of my original low salary and just flat out told them that I know I am grossly underpaid and am seeking my true market value. That shut them up and made them up there original offer by 12,000.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Triforceofcourage
What is the point of lying. I once had an employer try to low ball me because of my original low salary and just flat out told them that I know I am grossly underpaid and am seeking my true market value. That shut them up and made them up there original offer by 12,000.

Interesting tactic. I'll have to keep that in mind.

 

[DrPizza]

Hmmm... So, an employer would be completely unable to check your social security withholdings?

 

[LuckyTaxi]

My current job that i started a few months ago never asked but i went into the interview knowing what the range was, which was almost 2x more what i was making before. I've been told they can't check and yes i would lie. I've had ppl try to lowball me cuz i was making low 30s as a network admin and they would up it by $5k.

This is why I hate the jobs that dont give you a salary range

 

[chrisms]

Tell them you're the CEO.

 

[FoBoT]

i wouldn't start out a job that way

 

[homercles337]

Dont tell them anything. I got into this a while ago and always responded that i would entertain any reasonable offer. One HR chic asked me 3 times what i made and everytime i told her the same thing.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: razor2025
You don't have to give them an exact number. If your salary was $35k/yr, just say "upper range of 30's" or something of that sort. If you give them your present job as a reference, your old boss might give it out when asked, so I would check up on that.

It is illegal for them to ask your prior employer what your salary was, and also illegal for your old boss to give out such confidential information.

They can ask you for a recent paystub or W-2 for verification, however you are not obligated to give it to them.

 

[scarfase99]

yah, if ur paid low, don't tell em or lie. i made that mistake, and then i know i got under-offered what the job was for. *sigh* lesson learned

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: homercles337
Dont tell them anything. I got into this a while ago and always responded that i would entertain any reasonable offer. One HR chic asked me 3 times what i made and everytime i told her the same thing.

Well that's a bit out of the question, as it specifically states that they REQUIRE salary history with the resume and cover. But it's good to see the consensus is what I thought.

 

[Triforceofcourage]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: homercles337
Dont tell them anything. I got into this a while ago and always responded that i would entertain any reasonable offer. One HR chic asked me 3 times what i made and everytime i told her the same thing.

Well that's a bit out of the question, as it specifically states that they REQUIRE salary history with the resume and cover. But it's good to see the consensus is what I thought.

Also, what I did after they low balled me was that I was seeking my market value because I knew I was grossly underpaid. Then I said I already had an offer from another company for 10,000 more than they offered (I really didn't ). We both knew they were trying to screw me, you just have to have the balls to call them on it.

 

[Reel]

If you lie on an application, it is typically grounds for termination.

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: homercles337
Dont tell them anything. I got into this a while ago and always responded that i would entertain any reasonable offer. One HR chic asked me 3 times what i made and everytime i told her the same thing.

Well that's a bit out of the question, as it specifically states that they REQUIRE salary history with the resume and cover. But it's good to see the consensus is what I thought.

Dont give it. It is complete BS and pissed me off actually. Salary history is never required. It essentially gives them all the power. Dont give in...if you have to (and no you dont have to) start with this:
Age 13, golf course caddy. $3.35
Age 14, prep cook $6
Age 15, etc...

 

[cyclistca]

You should not discuss salary until an offer is on the table. If salary comes up before that point it is for one reason, to filter you out because

a. They think they can?t afford you
b. hey think you?re only there for the pay check

If they ask you say the following

I expect it to competitive
I'm negotiable; tell me more about the position
Salary in not my main motivation for taking this job, here's what is blah, blah

If they won?t give up put the shoe on the other foot ask them what salary range they had in mind for the position.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: Reel
If you lie on an application, it is typically grounds for termination.

How would they find out?