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Comment by up_and_up | Hacker News Reader

Feel free to tell them what you make just add 15-40% to that number. This has worked well for me. Employers seem happy as well.

Example:

Assuming your current salary is X. "So I currently make (X * 1.20), but in order to make the jump I need at least (X * 1.40)."

That way they get to feel out immediately whether they can afford you, you get the salary that would motivate you, and no one is wasting time in the hiring process.

Keep in mind many employers wont want to pay you more than 8-10% more than what you "currently make" unless they are incredibly motivated to hire you and you alone.

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> Assuming your current salary is X. "So I currently make (X * 1.20), but in order to make the jump I need at least (X * 1.40)."

Regardless of whether or not the employer actually does due diligence, why put yourself at risk by lying? The second half of that statement is the only part that matters. If you simply say "I need (X * 1.40) to make the jump", you'll accomplish your goal without putting yourself at risk by being dishonest.

Due diligence or not, dishonesty during a job interview can only come back to hurt you.

What is the risk? Honest question. Is there a legal risk in this?

They can sometimes find out that you've lied. I've known people who had this happen, and the offers were rescinded. In all of those cases the person had already quit their job, were in the transition period and were told they were no longer going to work at the new place.

Discovery that an employee wasn't honest during the interview process is grounds for termination at many companies

You can honestly include benefits in that.

Internal conversation: "I have 100K salary with nice benefits that are worth about 20K."

What you say: "My compensation is about 120K."

Works well until an employer does due diligence (ask for proof of your number). In my experience many (not all) do due diligence.

How are they going to verify your current salary? Do companies really go out of their way to do that?

They can just ask for a paystub.

Not anymore!

At least, not in Massachusetts.

I got excited about this, as I live in MA and seriously considering a change, until I read the part that it doesn't go into effect until July 2018.

In countries where the employer does the tax for the employee, then the employer will see how much tax has been paid earlier in the year. They can deduce salary from that.

I would never work for a company that went to that level. In 10 years, I havent seen a company pull that. If you suspect that might be part of their hiring process. Just say "I need to make X" and evade all talk of current salary.

As I mentioned in previous comment - companies would do this in case they really want a candidate but feel that previous compensation is somewhat above the market. They OK to pay market rate (if you can prove that) but are weary that a candidate employs the strategy suggested by the parent comment. I this case showing proof of previous compensation usually helps with negotiations.

I've never had a company ask for proof of income and I wouldn't work at one that did. That's an insane requirement that should have nothing to do with whether or not I'm fit for the job and they're willing to pay what I ask for someone to do the job.

I am at a higher end of market salary range and when I tell potential recruiters my expectations and my previous salary they take my desires into account but ask for documentation.

There was a discussion here on HN a couple months ago that this approach is common in such cases.

sometimes they find out via other means. They're not supposed to be able to, but it happens. Other times they don't tell you until after it is too late.

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