If I exagerate how much I earn in an application, will a future employer find out?

Question

whenever employers negotiate starting salary they always use your current salary to start, so I dont see why I shouldnt provide a false floor to my price - after all it is what I do in all other negotiations

Answer 1

They are unlikely to ask for this information on a reference. However, you will have to pass your P45 on to them (from your previous employer) and this will reveal how much you have earned with them that year.

Answer 2

A difficult one. Your current salary is none of their business. And you don't have to give your P45 to the new employer - just say you have not received it yet even if you have.

However your old employer might include your salary details on a reference without your consent.

I would say only risk it if your current salary is lower than the market rate for what you do. Otherwise don't.

Answer 3

Yes! oh Yes we will find out that you told a tale. One of the worst things you can do is to lie on your resume or your application especially. Nearly every company today does background checks and they usually check salary and dates of employment as the top two things as well as position. So beware if you tell a tale you may loose a job opportunity.

Answer 4

Uh, MOST places nowadays run CREDIT REPORTS on prospective employees and when they do this, theyre gonna also contact your current employers Human Resources department and ask things like, would you hire this person again to work for you. BTW: Ive never seen an employment application where they asked how much youre currently making, they usually ask what youre looking to make from THEM. But im in america, dont know where you are.

Answer 5

First of all, I don't think it's any of their business to be even asking such a question so why not embellish? They have the right to find out your work history but not how much you have made so I wouldn't hesitate but to play the game and provide a bogus amount (unless of course you are applying for a job within the same company - they may be able to get access to find out how much you've actually been making).

Answer 6

If they call your old HR dept to get employment confirmation, there's a good chance that they'll ask for your salary also. I wouldn't bother lying. Its best to avoid the whole "how much do you make now" thing for as long as possible. Just try to emphasize that you would like to be compensated fairly based on industry standards, and level of responsibility, and regardless of what you were making before.

Answer 7

Your P45 will show your new employer your earnings from your past employment. If they don't offer you enough, just try to negotiate with them. I don't see the need for pointless lies. They will only offer what they are prepared to pay unless you can prove you are worth more to their business.

Answer 8

I have caught an employee out like this but only because I had performance issues so decided to check out their CV, which turned out to include a lot of lies including previous salary, I then terminated on the grounds of providing false information.

So be careful!!

Answer 9

Go for it - I've never been found out. I think everyone bumps it up anyway . They cant find out from your previous employer because the information is confidential under the data protection act x

Answer 10

They probably won't find out...but, theres always the chance that they MIGHT. Technically, by law employers are not allowed to ask anything but whether or not you were employed there and what the dates were. Go for it and let me know!