Should I lie about my salary on my job application?

Question

I am looking for a job, just out of college with a BA. I have been horribly underpaid by my retail job as a supervisor. The job I applied for I am 100 percent qualified for, but I am afraid that my current low salary will make them second guess the quality of my work as I have been at my retail job a long time, while attending college. This job pays about 15,000 more than I make right now. Should I lie and make the gap 6-7,000?

Answer 1

Why don't you just tell them you want that much? They're not going to give you your salary based on how much you used to make but on how much you make them think you're worth it. If I were going to hire someone into a Finance position after they graduated while they were making $10,000 a year at walmart and going to school too, I would still pay them what I thought they were worth. If I throw a number out there, that's what I'm going to give.

Just so you know, I went from $14,000 at walmart full time(never having gone to school), straight into $35,000 at another job without having to lie about my pay. That's $21,000 more. They won't care. If they do, they're not good employers, so you should look somewhere else. Just let them know how hard you work and how efficient you are. You're only going to make just so much coming right out of college for the first year anyway. College education is worth alot, but experience is worth FAR more.

Answer 2

Never lie on an application. If you are ever caught, it is grounds for termination even if the lie is found out years later. Tell the truth on applications.

Now, having said that, I think the explanation here is simple.

When you were making that low salary, it was because you didn't have a degree yet.......now, you have the degree and therefore are seeking a salary commensurate with your education.

I've interviewed people before right after college, and I never take into consideration what their salary was while they were in school. We've all had jobs while in college. Working as waiters, cashiers, retail, etc.

After college, when you have the degree, is when the real job happens. Even if your job while going to school was in the same field.......just sell it as even more training you got while going to school and that you feel you have more to offer since you have worked in the most entry levels of that field.

Never lie. If you are ever caught, they will always wonder what else you might have lied about.......and one lie always leads to another and another. Never start.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

No. Be real. For all you know, your interviewers may have worked there, have children who work there, or know someone else who works there. If you lie on your app, even a little lie, it would affect your credibility if they find out. And believe me, they see many applications -- a salary out of the ordinary would definitely get someone's attention if they are really interested.

I have been in the same situation -- it is embarassing. Just tell them you did it for the experience and they'll agree with you because it is obvious you didn't accept all that responsibility for the pay!

BEWARE: If anyone besides you prepares your application, be sure to review it carefully. I had someone I thought was a friend type up an app for a position I wanted. I signed and dated it and you know -- she messed me up. She put down that I was a college grad, I had a BA, the whole nine yards -- it caused me more problems than anyone could ever imagine and no one believed me. It also knocked me out of the loop for a job I wanted, but this evil person wanted her real friend to get.

Answer 4

You don't have to lie.

Your first professional job has NOTHING to do with the salary you made on your jobs while in college, which are assumed to be non-professional and therefore low-paid.

You SHOULD negotiate your salary BEFORE filling out any forms, however. Just call and ask who the hiring manager is and get a telephone or in-person interview where you discuss the position, your interest in it, and how much he/she is thinking of paying you for it.

Now that you've graduated, you have joined the ranks of the well-educated and informed, and can act accordingly.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Why lie and then stress about having them find out?

Decline to answer or give a general range if you're filling out a form (find an appropriate range by researching salaries on sites like Monster.com), or if you'll be telling them in person explain that this was a supplemental job - while a student your primary job was working toward your degree.

Answer 6

Generally speaking, its never a good idea to lie about anything on a job application. In this age of corporate oversight and compliance, its not uncommon for companies to terminate employees if information provided on a job application or resume is found to be false.

A better approach is to answer the job application honestly, but provide a letter of introduction stating why you are qualified for the position.

Good luck to you.

Answer 7

it isn't a good challenge to lie on an software, you would possibly want to be fired for misjudification on an software. Employers can in elementary words ask particular questions as well as answer. yet in the journey that they speaking and it got here about to come back up then you quite are screwed. i'd not lie about it what are you able to likely earnings extra funds. positioned down the quantity you want then negotiate with them. in the journey that they see you lied they received't employ you in there options they are going to imagine if she lies about this what else will she lie about.

Answer 8

yes yes and yes! Not only will the interviewer think you're not worht much, but that person may think you will settle for less. Therefore if you lie about your salary you will be more opt to get what you deserve. It's not your fault you're working for a penny pincher. Business and true businessmen do whatever they can to keep their paychecks nice and fat. And if you're a true businessman, even if you're not and you just want a nice full wallet.....you will make it sound like you not only will settle for no less than __________- (insert your desirable salary here) - but that is what you are getting paid now and you are looking to move up. Just make sure it's believable. Grocery store stockers don't usually get paid 35.00 an hour...if ya get what I mean
good luck! Hope you start making the bucks!

Answer 9

No you shouldn't lie and yes you could request for a higher salary.

Answer 10

no, they don't base your quality off of past salsry, being that every state, company, even town you live in or work for can vary your salalry. My best friend made 35,000 a year as a social worker in New York and moved to Arizona and is going to make 25,000 for the same job, good luck.