new job negotiations - salary expectations

p1tse

crackerberry wrote: »

It is none of the prospective employers' business what salary a candidate is on. One suggested answer to any salary related questions is to say you would be breaching your employer's rules in respect to confidentiality were you to reveal that information. Would that prospective employer want its competitors to know its salary bands? No, it would not, and would likely not take kindly to finding out its own employees were sharing this info to third parties outside of the workplace.

They mainly want to know this so they retain the control where salary negotiations are concerned. If they know your current salary they'll try offering only enough of an increase they think they have to. If they have to guess they have to make an offer based on what they think the best candidate for the job is worth and what it'll take to get them.

Its a cheeky question, and one that they have no right to actually ask.

i like that

;-)

Caffca

Blimey. What a reaction from you all. In my own, special and apparently clumsy way, I was saying it is not a good idea to lie about your salary - which is what the OP is basically talking about.

You have all assumed we ask for payslips for a negative reason but this is not actually the case. We operate in a niche market with a handful of competitors. We also have a reputation as being one of the best companys in this market not only for our customers but also for staff. People will apply to work for us knowing our pay scales may be a bit less than others in our industry. And with regards asking for previous payslips, here's an example for you - the last person we appointed applied for a job that had a salary range of £22 to £28k. They wanted to work for us and applied even though their current salary was £30k. They were asked what their current salary was and told us £30k. MD decided that as this person was an ideal candidate, right skills, qualifications etc and would be able to hit the ground running, he would offer to match the £30k. Their payslips confirmed they were on £30k. So we asked for evidence for a positive outcome for the new employee not for the company. Yes, if their payslips had actually shown they only earned £24k for example we would have had serious doubts about their honesty and integrity and the offer would have been reconsidered if not withdrawn. Who wants a liar working for them?

You all seem to believe that employers are only ever out to screw their employees and you tarnish all employers with the same brush - well sorry to burst your bubble but that isn't actually true, some employers do care about their staff and treat them with respect.

p1tse

what about when recruitment agencies ask you?

they are mostly out for commission really. would you tell them your exact figures and benefits?

terra_ferma

p1tse wrote: »

what about when recruitment agencies ask you?

they are mostly out for commission really. would you tell them your exact figures and benefits?

Personally I take a more lapse attitude towards the info I provide to agencies, mainly because they lie through their teeth about everything (salary, start date, length of contract, exact job title and jd etc etc).
If they want info from you is only to use it to give you the lowest possible rate they can.

However if it's a new agency I would want to start on a good footing, you never know they may actually have principles.
Otherwise, with the 'usual suspects' I know very well, I know how to play it.

(however, be mindful that you won't be able to beat them at their own game, unless you are in sales or related field yourself, methinks - that's why I don't really push it).