How should I answer..

zdragon

Hi lads!
A few days ago I got a call from a recruiter.
it went ok until I got the question
"What is yoyr current salary now?"
I didn't answer I said that salary is undesclosed.
recruter told me that he can't present me to a potential employer without a current situation..

Could anyone explain why this question is asked and how my current salary can influence future employment?

and how should I answer in situation when recruiter insist to have an answer..

Sincerely it sounds whierd to me to share my current salary amount with other people.
I think that my skils and experience is for "trade".
cheers

CoNfOuNd

I know in the UK that Revenue & Customs have special procedures for people who do not want to tell their new employer their previous salary or previous employer details.

I don't think you should have to give your previous salary to a recruitment company. A better question might be "What salary are you aiming for in your new job?"

Put it this way, can the recruitment company verify your previous salary?

Imposter

Give them a number about 10% below what you want from a possible new job (if that is higher than what you are on). You've got to play the game.

zdragon

Imposter wrote:

Give them a number about 10% below what you want from a possible new job (if that is higher than what you are on). You've got to play the game.

+1
agree, let's play the game:)

pow wow

They aim you for positions at or above your current salary, hence them needing to know it. In their opinion (open to discussion!) salary is commensurate with experience so what you're on now is essentially what you're worth. I always inflate the figure and then negotiate down for the right job if need be.

zdragon

ellscurr wrote:

salary is commensurate with experience so what you're on now is essentially what you're worth.

don't agree.. what should an employee do if he is underpayed, mistreated?
if employer promised good salary and bonus and promotions but after a 1 year he didn't gent anything.
it is not my case but I try to generalize the problem

Clik

I'd be very careful about giving an incorrect salary because it can backfire very easily. Don't forget your new employer will have full access to your PAYE details and you may be left with egg on your face.

pwd

know a guy who was asked this repeatedly while he was being inetrviewed for his new job.
They seemed to have greatly overestimated his previous role. He managed to change the subject when they asked him each time.
Had been on 20k in dublin. Now he's on 37k in limerick (mentioning places because lower cost of living means effectively an even bigger difference).
I think when they asked him what he was on he answered saying what he wanted instead.
They gave him more than he asked for too.

BC

Clik wrote:

I'd be very careful about giving an incorrect salary because it can backfire very easily. Don't forget your new employer will have full access to your PAYE details and you may be left with egg on your face.

The payroll department in the new company will see this. No-one else is entitled too. Unless you're going for a job in payroll your new manager won't know.

oli_ro

I would be very careful about overstating your current salary.

I have a job offer from big UK company which is subject to providing proof of the salary claimed in the form of original payslip.

Also there is background screening process which will check all employment details including remmuneration.

Imposter

oli_ro wrote:

I would be very careful about overstating your current salary.

I have a job offer from big UK company which is subject to providing proof of the salary claimed in the form of original payslip.

Also there is background screening process which will check all employment details including remmuneration.

How can they check that? I would think that that is illegal. Although they would probably find out once you've started the job when they know how much tax you've already paid in the year.