8 ms·

I've only ever done this (caveat: in the US, where they can't legally check by calling the company directly). Increase your previous salary by 20-30%, even more

I've only ever done this (caveat: in the US, where they can't legally check by calling the company directly). Increase your previous salary by 20-30%, even more if it's the norm. I've even countered with "my current co just countered to keep me..." Gotta have some chutzpah.

stale2002 11y ago
Shoot thats a good one I need to add to my list! Fake counteroffer from own employer. (Fake competing offer from a different company probably wouldn't work, because they would ask for an "offer letter". A counteroffer from current company isn't going to require proof)
- jwatte 11y ago
  I'm all for solid negotiating tactics, but if you consider telling an untruth, you are not welcome on my team. You may still find other teams in the world that you can dupe, but in the end, I expect lies to hurt your overall prospects (in life as well as work.)
  - cname 11y ago
    Really? Because people are so honest? Everyone on your team tells lies every single day, I guarantee it. What you're saying contradicts the common advice to oversell yourself (AKA "fake it til you make it").
    - helicase 11y ago
      I always find it amusing when people refuse to lie on certain things based on some sort of moral-code or principle and then spew out lies for tons of others.
  - stale2002 11y ago
    The whole point is that its impossible to verify....
    - Panoramix 11y ago
      Unverifiable makes it hard to believe as well (unless the numbers were reasonable to start with). But there's an easy check, should they care to do it: call their current manager.
      - learc83 11y ago
        If I'm doing the hiring, I wouldn't expect a candidate to let me talk to their current manager--that's just insane. If I thought the employee was worth the extra money they were asking for, I'd give it to them. If not, I'd let them walk. Whether their current job is considering matching their offer doesn't really matter to me. If a candidate asks for a specific salary, I don't care why they want it. I only care whether I think they are worth it, and whether I can afford it.
  - angelbob 11y ago
    Are you certain everybody on your side of the negotiation is fully truthful? Do you include management, HR and recruiters in "everybody"? If so, you're not talking to your recruiters. You should find out more about what your side of this negotiation looks like to a candidate.
  - incepted 11y ago
    > I'm all for solid negotiating tactics, but if you consider telling an untruth, you are not welcome on my team. Do you seriously think your team is made of 100% people who only ever tell the truth? Let's get realistic, we all tell lies here and there. What matters is what you lie about and why you do it. I couldn't care less if a developer joins my team and lied to get a higher compensation. All I care about is whether they are a good hire and if they'll do good work.
incepted 11y ago
That's an awesome retort, never thought of that!
Johnnybe 11y ago
I have had a company request a previous paystub. I guess you could Photoshop that.

stale2002 11y ago

Shoot thats a good one I need to add to my list! Fake counteroffer from own employer. (Fake competing offer from a different company probably wouldn't work, because they would ask for an "offer letter". A counteroffer from current company isn't going to require proof)

jwatte 11y ago
I'm all for solid negotiating tactics, but if you consider telling an untruth, you are not welcome on my team. You may still find other teams in the world that you can dupe, but in the end, I expect lies to hurt your overall prospects (in life as well as work.)
- cname 11y ago
  Really? Because people are so honest? Everyone on your team tells lies every single day, I guarantee it. What you're saying contradicts the common advice to oversell yourself (AKA "fake it til you make it").
  - helicase 11y ago
    I always find it amusing when people refuse to lie on certain things based on some sort of moral-code or principle and then spew out lies for tons of others.
- stale2002 11y ago
  The whole point is that its impossible to verify....
  - Panoramix 11y ago
    Unverifiable makes it hard to believe as well (unless the numbers were reasonable to start with). But there's an easy check, should they care to do it: call their current manager.
    - learc83 11y ago
      If I'm doing the hiring, I wouldn't expect a candidate to let me talk to their current manager--that's just insane. If I thought the employee was worth the extra money they were asking for, I'd give it to them. If not, I'd let them walk. Whether their current job is considering matching their offer doesn't really matter to me. If a candidate asks for a specific salary, I don't care why they want it. I only care whether I think they are worth it, and whether I can afford it.
- angelbob 11y ago
  Are you certain everybody on your side of the negotiation is fully truthful? Do you include management, HR and recruiters in "everybody"? If so, you're not talking to your recruiters. You should find out more about what your side of this negotiation looks like to a candidate.
- incepted 11y ago
  > I'm all for solid negotiating tactics, but if you consider telling an untruth, you are not welcome on my team. Do you seriously think your team is made of 100% people who only ever tell the truth? Let's get realistic, we all tell lies here and there. What matters is what you lie about and why you do it. I couldn't care less if a developer joins my team and lied to get a higher compensation. All I care about is whether they are a good hire and if they'll do good work.

incepted 11y ago

That's an awesome retort, never thought of that!

Johnnybe 11y ago

I have had a company request a previous paystub. I guess you could Photoshop that.