Declaring Salary

[RBR76]

Would someone be terminated from his/her new employment if this person declares a lower salary of a prior employment in the job application?

I understand that declaring a higher salary than actual of a prior employment would be dishonest, how about declaring a lower salary?

[esm]

Why would you need to declare in the first place?

[68camaro]

A lie is a lie. At bank I work for it is thought any résumé lie, if found, will lead to offer being revoked or termination. I've heard it mostly used for degrees not actually finished.

If you understate salary I guess you can try to beg forgiveness as stupid oversight, but I can't figure out why you would do it unless you were concerned about being overqualified.

Chuck

[mannyv11]

If you're worried about not telling the truth then its a pretty simple solution, just tell the truth.

if they ask you why you would be interested in taking a lower paying job, tell them the truth about that as well.

I have found when you lie it generally comes around and bites you in the ass.

[Sixshooter]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

If you're worried about not telling the truth then its a pretty simple solution, just tell the truth.

if they ask you why you would be interested in taking a lower paying job, tell them the truth about that as well.

I have found when you lie it generally comes around and bites you in the ass.

Well said.

[Welshwatchman]

A false declaration when truth is specifically requested can potentially yield disastrous results.

If they are specifically asking for salary, perks, benefits then you should list them all or aggregate them into a whole.

If they are only asking for salary then it's reasonable to give them that alone.

[TheVTCGuy]

I am not supporting lying, but how could that be considered negative? Just trying to understand why you would in the first place, but hypothetically, let's take this scenario.

You are very interested in a position, but you know they can not pay what you made in your last job. That is acceptable and you decide you would be willing to take a drop in pay if you were offered this new job. If you put your true last salary on the salary history, they might disqualify you right off the bat, thinking: "He is out of our pay range" But if you put a lower one, that might keep you in consideration.

IF they were ever to find out, I think explaining your reasoning might even strengthen your candicy for the job, express how much you are interested in it; (of course you don't want to sound desperate).

This is just a thought, I am sure some job counselors on here or something could tell me I'm way off base, but I don't see it as terrible.

[conrail]

Depends on the job/scenario, but you're better off just being truthful b/c I've known plenty of situations where the prospective employer has asked for a W-2 or paystubs to verify.

[james1787]

I got caught up on an error on my part on my application and cost me getting the job once many years back. I guestimated a number in the education portion (I couldn't remember the number and was too lazy to get transcripts to verify it..). My guess wasn't too far off (my guess put me at a lower GPA than what I really had), but it was off. They didn't like that and I didn't get the job. Lesson learned. Always be 1000% truthful and put the correct data on a job application.

[DoxaDavid]

As noted, it's more about showing integrity than the small deception. I would either be truthful or leave it blank on the ap. If asked, it would be easier to explain than a number on a page.

We terminated a guy for omiting he had misrepresented minor information on his job application which he didn't deem was important but we let him go none the less because it was the dishonesty of doing it, not the information that was at issue.

The truth will set you free of any concerns it may ever come back to haunt you.

[Lion]

There are only two options or choices(with only one being correct)...tell the truth or lie. If I was a company looking to hire I want someone who tells the truth not one who lies...there is no in between!!!

Take it easy.....Leo

[cssnikejack]

Declare the salary as recieved, not lower or higher. This is the ethical thing to do.

[MonBK]

What if the OP is applying for a job as a lawyer or car sales man?

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by MonBK

What if the OP is applying for a job as a lawyer or car sales man?

[BarkMaster]

The end (getting consideration for a job) doesn't justify the means (dishonesty, lack of integrity). This is selfish motivation taking priority over ethics. I would immediately terminate anyone doing this because I could not trust them.

[77T]

Hard to understand the question - if we said "lie" then would you?

If so, then you'd not be a good candidate for a job where I worked 35 years.

[Thatguy]

If you are afraid it might hurt your chances somehow I think the best bet would be to leave it blank and discuss when asked.

[Grissom]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

If you are afraid it might hurt your chances somehow I think the best bet would be to leave it blank and discuss when asked.

Exactly my thought!

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I am not supporting lying, but how could that be considered negative? Just trying to understand why you would in the first place, but hypothetically, let's take this scenario.

You are very interested in a position, but you know they can not pay what you made in your last job. That is acceptable and you decide you would be willing to take a drop in pay if you were offered this new job. If you put your true last salary on the salary history, they might disqualify you right off the bat, thinking: "He is out of our pay range" But if you put a lower one, that might keep you in consideration.

IF they were ever to find out, I think explaining your reasoning might even strengthen your candicy for the job, express how much you are interested in it; (of course you don't want to sound desperate).

This is just a thought, I am sure some job counselors on here or something could tell me I'm way off base, but I don't see it as terrible.

Stating facts known to be false can in no way be considered anything positive, no matter what the intent......

Leaving it blank, and stating that prior salaries will be addressed at the time of an interview would have been the way I would have handled it, while also making clear my salary range expectations, if need be.

Just my worth.....

[mrallen13]

As a manager, I would much prefer hiring a person that did not lie - either way. I would be OK with you leaving the section blank. It obviously highlights the area for discussion, but honestly that is no different than any other area where you are not a perfect fit for the job. Salary at a new company in my opinion should not be set by what you made a previous company, but by the market.

[rr-nyc]

If you're wondering if lying on your resume or application is universally bad, whether you inflate or deflate figures, the answer is yes.

The question is why would you talk down your income and how would it benefit you in getting that job?

Typically, a job application has terms and conditions listed that you agree to by signing. In it is a provision that you certify that all the information contained is truthful, correct, and complete to best of your knowledge and that it contains no willful falsifications or misrepresentations.