If asked in interview what your current salary is?

thewools

Hi if you were going into a interview for a job listed with a guideline salary significantly more then what you are currently earning; would you say you are earner more than you are currently - if asked?

Can your prospective employer find out what you are earning in a current job?

fret_wimp

I would never lie in an interview. An ommission of information is ok, i.e. if a question does not come up, you dont need to provide any information around that area you might be sensitive about.

If they ask you your current salary, give a ballpark figure unless they ask you to be specific. if this happens be truthful, or say you dont want to answer the question.

the choice is up to you but i would not lie.

niceirishfella

You can hold back your previous earnings details with revenue - you ask for revenue to arrange this.
Then, your new employer will be none the wiser.

Mena

thewools wrote: »

Can your prospective employer find out what you are earning in a current job?

It would be on your P45 but you can request that revenue omit this information.

Keep in mind that if your current salary is considerably less than what is on offer, it could make the prospective employer think twice.

I'd hesitate to lie, but to be honest I'd just decline to comment or something... depends on various factors...

thewools

Yes I dont want to lie, but for example if I'm currently on 40k and the job is for 55-65k depending on experience. Would you assume the lowest he /she would offer (assuming I get the job) is the 55k.

If the interviewer asked what is my current salary - should I say

A: 40k - straight honest approach
B: In the region of 40 - 50k, not a lie but gives a vague guideline
C: 50k - big ass lie, but is close to the prospective job salary.

Sleepy

I'd go with option B...

helimachoptor

Op if you're on 40k, add in all the benefits, VHI = 1K, Laptop 1.5K, Mobile phone 1.5k etc etc to bump up the figure.

seamus

If you already know what the expected salary for the position is, I don't see the harm in being honest.

Your CV and your interview speak for themselves, an interviewer won't be "turned off" by a much lower salary - that's the reason you're out jobhunting in the first place. They're mostly trying to gauge what they can get away with offering;

i.e. if your current salary is €40k, they can probably get you with an offer of €50k or €55k. If your current salary is €50k, they'll have to up to at least €55k or even €60k. If you're currently getting €60k or more, they may not give you an offer at all because you'll expect more than they're willing to afford.

There's also a longevity thing on their part. If they can bring you in at the lower end of the scale, then they can hold onto you for at least 5 years, incrementing your pay each year, without going over what they *want* to pay you. Whereas if you go in at the higher end of the scale, they'll have to pay you more than they want to keep you longer than 2 or 3 years.

I would back up a low salary with a desire to leave because of the low salary. So when asked why you want to leave, just say that you think you're way undervalued for the work that you do, but your employer has frozen salary increases for two years or something.

thewools

I will wait and see - if the question does pop up I will say I earn a certain region with benefits. If they want a more specific number I will be honest and explain the reasons (started straight out of college, pay freeze etc).

I am really interested in getting this job - so here's to hoping!!

McSpud

fret_wimp wrote: »

If they ask you your current salary, give a ballpark figure unless they ask you to be specific. if this happens be truthful, or say you dont want to answer the question..

I agree.

Being vague is ok if you can get away with it by maybe suggesting figure does not include bonus or other payments. If they force you to reveal you will have to be truthful. If you do get the job they will find via your P45/P60 anyway.

Zamboni

McSpud wrote: »

If you do get the job they will find via your P45/P60 anyway.

I can't think of any reason I would provide a new employer with an old P60.

Assuming that the OP got the job they would have no need to provide the new employer with the P45.
If they start before Dec 31st they just take the Emergency Tax hit and then request a P21 from the Revenue early next year for a rebate.

The point is that a new potential employer has no easy means to your current salary information should you choose to withold it.