How do people get new jobs with big pay rises?
Discussion
Hi,
So I've always been asked what my current salary was by employment agencies, probably so they know what yo place me up with for a new job, but how do people have these stories where they are getting a huge pay rise? Don't employers ask you what your current salary is to avoid paying more than they have to for you? I hold the view its a waste of time applying for a job that pays £30,000 when I am on £20,000, is this holding me back? My current employer isn't a great one, they actually put peoples salary's on their references, I presume to help reduce the rate at which employees leave, can I ask them not to?
So I've always been asked what my current salary was by employment agencies, probably so they know what yo place me up with for a new job, but how do people have these stories where they are getting a huge pay rise? Don't employers ask you what your current salary is to avoid paying more than they have to for you? I hold the view its a waste of time applying for a job that pays £30,000 when I am on £20,000, is this holding me back? My current employer isn't a great one, they actually put peoples salary's on their references, I presume to help reduce the rate at which employees leave, can I ask them not to?
Diplomatically decline to answer the question of what you are currently being paid when asked by the recruiter, or the firm. Yes, it will count against you a little bit, but you are looking to be paid a competitive salary for the job, and if you arent good enough to talk your way around that...
randlemarcus said:
Diplomatically decline to answer the question of what you are currently being paid when asked by the recruiter, or the firm. Yes, it will count against you a little bit, but you are looking to be paid a competitive salary for the job, and if you arent good enough to talk your way around that...
What would you suggest I say diplomatically declining to answer it?I would just say that based on what I am currently earning I am looking for a minimum of £xxxxx.
If they have not mentioned anything about salary for the new job you can bet they will offer according to what you are currently earning rather than maybe the market value for the job, so you need to set your expectations and stick to them.
Any company worth considering should also be willing to talk to you about career progression possibilities and future salary expectations.
The job offer should be based on what the company feels the job is worth to them and where it sits within their pay structure, not the minimum they can persuade you to take.
That however could have all changed since my time, I am getting on a bit now.
If they have not mentioned anything about salary for the new job you can bet they will offer according to what you are currently earning rather than maybe the market value for the job, so you need to set your expectations and stick to them.
Any company worth considering should also be willing to talk to you about career progression possibilities and future salary expectations.
The job offer should be based on what the company feels the job is worth to them and where it sits within their pay structure, not the minimum they can persuade you to take.
That however could have all changed since my time, I am getting on a bit now.
Last year I did lots of overtime & other work so managed a quite impressive YTD figure on my P60.
I am in the process of changing employer & sent them my P60 as proof of current earnings & theyvhave constructed a package to match it.
I also got them to pay my bonus that I’ll not be paid by changing firm.
I am in the process of changing employer & sent them my P60 as proof of current earnings & theyvhave constructed a package to match it.
I also got them to pay my bonus that I’ll not be paid by changing firm.
Get in a bit earlier and ask them first "what is the bracket on the job?" "what are you offerring" etc. if they ask you outright just give them the number you'd be happy to jump through their hoops and move for, its also not always about what you earn - a job paying the same as I am on now but commuting would be taking a negative hit compared to working from home
I've moved up in good chunks in the past doing this and my mrs just moved up to near double her previous salary (she is main earner now so I think I can retire??) doing this and sticking through the 5 interviews she had to do - not sure I would've done that for a small bump up, but for the jump up she took I probably would
I've moved up in good chunks in the past doing this and my mrs just moved up to near double her previous salary (she is main earner now so I think I can retire??) doing this and sticking through the 5 interviews she had to do - not sure I would've done that for a small bump up, but for the jump up she took I probably would
IAmTheWalrus said:
What would you suggest I say diplomatically declining to answer it?
Just say "For me to move I'm looking for x", most recruiters won't dig any further and if they do and ask again what you're earning say "similar".If you're worried about a reference or P45 showing a difference just say you're making pension contributions via salary sacrifice.
I wouldn't let it worry you too much when asked.
I have been offered a new job with a nearly 50% rise. When they asked me in the interview what I was on I was honest. When they asked me what I was willing to accept for the role I told them, explaining my knowledge and experience had improved since my last employment.
They offered me what I asked for plus another 2.5%.
I have been offered a new job with a nearly 50% rise. When they asked me in the interview what I was on I was honest. When they asked me what I was willing to accept for the role I told them, explaining my knowledge and experience had improved since my last employment.
They offered me what I asked for plus another 2.5%.
IAmTheWalrus said:
I hold the view its a waste of time applying for a job that pays £30,000 when I am on £20,000, is this holding me back?
In a word, yes.Unless you are 100% confident your employer is paying well (and it doesn't sound like they are), apply. As I've heard it put before - "You're already working here, why would we use bait?"
Having the confidence to move to different employers (and take that risk) is one of the easiest routes to improving your salary.
Depends how bold/confident you are. I've run teams of c 20-30 people for about 20 years or so now and changed jobs myself 3 times during that period so have experience on both sides.
Personally, if someone asks me what I'm paid my response may change depending on where I am in the process. At a first interview I might respond with something like "I'm happy to tell you but would prefer if we discussed it should I make it to the next interview round as I wouldn't want money to influence either of our decision making". Later on, you'll have to offer up something and if asked directly DO NOT LIE as it'll show on your P45 when you join the new firm. But try to steer it on to, well I consider this type of work to be in c£ range, or this is what I'd be looking to move stance.
If a candidate said to me as the interviewer "I'd rather not say as it will hamper my negotiating power" I'd probably quite like that. I'd see it as strength of character. But personally I wouldn't ask until I was down to a very short list of candidates (if I was that lucky).
But! This may all depend on the nature of your work. If yours is unskilled or at least work that many others could do then your negotiating skills may be hampered by the fact that there may well be quite a lot of people like you the prospective employer could choose from. If on the other hand yours is a skilled job, or is a service for which you have proven skill and expertise then you may have more power.
Either way, what have you got to lose? Move and get more or keep trying until it happens all the time keeping what you have.
Personally, if someone asks me what I'm paid my response may change depending on where I am in the process. At a first interview I might respond with something like "I'm happy to tell you but would prefer if we discussed it should I make it to the next interview round as I wouldn't want money to influence either of our decision making". Later on, you'll have to offer up something and if asked directly DO NOT LIE as it'll show on your P45 when you join the new firm. But try to steer it on to, well I consider this type of work to be in c£ range, or this is what I'd be looking to move stance.
If a candidate said to me as the interviewer "I'd rather not say as it will hamper my negotiating power" I'd probably quite like that. I'd see it as strength of character. But personally I wouldn't ask until I was down to a very short list of candidates (if I was that lucky).
But! This may all depend on the nature of your work. If yours is unskilled or at least work that many others could do then your negotiating skills may be hampered by the fact that there may well be quite a lot of people like you the prospective employer could choose from. If on the other hand yours is a skilled job, or is a service for which you have proven skill and expertise then you may have more power.
Either way, what have you got to lose? Move and get more or keep trying until it happens all the time keeping what you have.
Vasco said:
If you know you're likely to be good at the new job I'd say I'm getting 30-50% more than I am. If they also feel that you would be who they're after they will know how much to offer.
Really bad idea. References can include this, p45 definitely will. You may get offered or even start the job at a higher rate but as soon as they realise you can’t be trusted your time there could well be limited. Brainpox said:
IAmTheWalrus said:
What would you suggest I say diplomatically declining to answer it?
Ask the recruiter what salary they are on is one suggestion I’ve heard. Not tried it myself though. In my view, the best way to address it is to say that your current salary is £x, which you know isn’t reflective of your current responsibilities and hence part of the reason you’re looking to move on, but you’re expecting market rate for the current role (and tell them what you think that is if it’s been advertised/you have a good idea).
Remember, they don’t have to make an offer but if they do you don’t have to accept it. Most companies want someone starting with them to feel good about their new job and salary is part of that.
Never had to provide a reference other than to say I was employed between dates a - b.
Your previous pay has nothing to do with any future offer.
I just had a 40% - 50% pay rise for my current role, not moving companies massively hinders your earning potential, in my team of 70 odd there is a stark contrast between the salaries of employees who have worked at the business a long time / worked their way up Vs external hires.
Your previous pay has nothing to do with any future offer.
I just had a 40% - 50% pay rise for my current role, not moving companies massively hinders your earning potential, in my team of 70 odd there is a stark contrast between the salaries of employees who have worked at the business a long time / worked their way up Vs external hires.
Why would you not go for a job that paid you 10k more per year. The official stats are clear people who move jobs more often think the average is 3 years earn way more than people who stick with one company. Depending on industry/place you work staying put will keep you poorer over the long term.
I've had now 6 jobs in 13 years 5 of those come in the last 7 years raised from 17k a year too 27.5k in current one in those 7 years And could easily go into another dealer being on 30k right now.
I've had now 6 jobs in 13 years 5 of those come in the last 7 years raised from 17k a year too 27.5k in current one in those 7 years And could easily go into another dealer being on 30k right now.
Han Solo said:
Never had to provide a reference other than to say I was employed between dates a - b.
Your previous pay has nothing to do with any future offer.
I just had a 40% - 50% pay rise for my current role, not moving companies massively hinders your earning potential, in my team of 70 odd there is a stark contrast between the salaries of employees who have worked at the business a long time / worked their way up Vs external hires.
The issue is that you won’t normally see the reference request or response. Some companies will confirm/disclose salaries on references, others won’t. Your previous pay has nothing to do with any future offer.
I just had a 40% - 50% pay rise for my current role, not moving companies massively hinders your earning potential, in my team of 70 odd there is a stark contrast between the salaries of employees who have worked at the business a long time / worked their way up Vs external hires.
Would agree with the rest though. A couple of moves, especially early on in career, can make all the difference to ongoing earnings. It works best if you can land yourself in a roll where you get approached by agents/companies instead of directly applying.
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