interviews

[briSk]

say you were going to an interview (hypothetically!) and they ask your current salary. and the whole point of going for the new job is to get more - what do you do?

my gut feel is to tell them a figure that includes everything and to then say that what you would like to achieve is 'X' based on the fact that you expect to be geting 'Y' and 'Z' from current employer and that obviously you're up to the challenges of new role etc etc.

Right?

[illmonkey]

I dont like this question, its irrelevant. If you're fit for the job, pay the correct money, not 5% more than the previous job.

[Muncher]

If you really don't want them to say you could always mention there is a confidentiality cause in your contract.

[briSk]

illmonkey said:

I dont like this question, its irrelevant. If you're fit for the job, pay the correct money, not 5% more than the previous job.

well there is that.

so what would you say - "offer me the job and we'll talk spondoolics?"

[briSk]

Muncher said:

If you really don't want them to say you could always mention there is a confidentiality cause in your contract.

at any point can they make you tell them?

[Mr POD]

Say what you are looking for, and tell them why you are worth it. If they push the 'but what are you on now?' answer that, the company is in a different sector, the job was underpaid, you were under valued, and you are offering them real value for money and say what you can do for them. Treat it as another opportunity to tell them why they should employ you and throw away the salary scale they thought was applicable.

[minimax]

illmonkey said:

I dont like this question, its irrelevant. If you're fit for the job, pay the correct money, not 5% more than the previous job.

admirable, but it doesn't work that way in my industry - there is a range and you have to persuade the potential employer to offer you the high end of the scale, sell it to them effectively. the current job I am in I didn't need to move to so I was more bullish and it turned out the boss was testing me to see if I believed in myself and could persuade him too

as i'm a mortgage broker/estate agent I had no trouble in chatting shiit for 20 minutes

[Mr POD]

illmonkey said:

I dont like this question, its irrelevant. If you're fit for the job, pay the correct money, not 5% more than the previous job.

Ask for 20% more than the going rate and give them 100% more value tahn any one else. Thus they get 80% free.

[HundredthIdiot]

Do not lie, or tell half truths. Give them an accurate answer.

If they then give you an offer you don't like, refuse it and explain that you want more.

If they claim to have some sort of corporate policy against throwing money at people, they are lying.

[briSk]

HundredthIdiot said:

Do not lie, or tell half truths. Give them an accurate answer.

If they then give you an offer you don't like, refuse it and explain that you want more.

If they claim to have some sort of corporate policy against throwing money at people, they are lying.

i think that is kind of where i am coming from. at the end of the day if they don't want to pay my mate what he wants when starting then why would erm, he go there.. it doesn't bode well for the future does it..?

[ewenm]

It's not always about money. I'm probably going to take a rate cut for my next job but it has the benefit of being somewhere I'd like to experience living for a while. Had two interviews so far and money has not been mentioned except for them saying they don't think they can afford me

[HundredthIdiot]

ewenm said:

It's not always about money. I'm probably going to take a rate cut for my next job but it has the benefit of being somewhere I'd like to experience living for a while. Had two interviews so far and money has not been mentioned except for them saying they don't think they can afford me

I would always disclose current salary as early as possible. If it's too high, you won't waste your time. If it's too low, they will think they're getting a bargain (a preconception which can be overturned in negotiation).

[Neil_H]

briSk said:

HundredthIdiot said:

Do not lie, or tell half truths. Give them an accurate answer.

If they then give you an offer you don't like, refuse it and explain that you want more.

If they claim to have some sort of corporate policy against throwing money at people, they are lying.

i think that is kind of where i am coming from. at the end of the day if they don't want to pay my mate what he wants when starting then why would erm, he go there.. it doesn't bode well for the future does it..?

If you don't tell them it will just look like you're trying to hide it, and from that they will deduce that it's less than you want from them. They're not all stupid.

Tell them what you want, and tell them why you think you're worth it and if they don't offer it, take it as a sign that you didn't convince them well enough. If they do then be prepared to live up to it.

[briSk]

so say he had a salary x and an (almost guaranteed) 'bonus' of 0.1X it would probably be worth suggesting that the current salary was 1.1X and then explaining the breakdown later if necessary.. maybe?

[HundredthIdiot]

briSk said:

so say he had a salary x and an (almost guaranteed) 'bonus' of 0.1X it would probably be worth suggesting that the current salary was 1.1X and then explaining the breakdown later if necessary.. maybe?

"x + 10% bonus" doesn't take very long to say. Stick to the facts.

[Muncher]

briSk said:

Muncher said:

If you really don't want them to say you could always mention there is a confidentiality cause in your contract.

at any point can they make you tell them?

I don't imagine one firmn wanting encouraging you to breach your employment contract in that way, they could potentially be sued for doing so. It's just enough to stop them probing.

[illmonkey]

briSk said:

illmonkey said:

I dont like this question, its irrelevant. If you're fit for the job, pay the correct money, not 5% more than the previous job.

well there is that.

so what would you say - "offer me the job and we'll talk spondoolics?"

I'd proberly be a bit hesatant of applying for a job without a salery listed, unless it was really good. If i knew what the bracket was i'd maybe bend the truth as bit. But if the job is listed at 40-50k and you tell them you are earning 30k but are fully qualified and experienced for the job, they offer you £35k, i'd be unimpressed.

[richyb]

I never want to sound like I am only in it for the money but if a job doesn't specifiy a salary bracket I will ask prior to interview. It will be a waste of their and your time if the job pays less than your current one.

EDIT: My comment is very similar to above, sorry.

Edited by richyb on Thursday 11th September 19:35

[briSk]

it must be an industry thing but in my friend's industry salaries are NEVER stated prior...

[Maxf]

No point bullstting as they'll see how much you earned from your P45. Just tell them you are on X but are looking for a minimum of Y to move.