I'm currently in the process of looking for a new job, and one thing I've sometimes wondered about is whether my current salary has much of a bearing on how prospective employers view me.
Basically while not embarrassed by my salary per se, I would say that for the type of work I do it is considerably lower than what is generally expected. Most jobs I look at which are doing very similar work, just at different companies, tend to be offering around 20-50% higher than I am on already (some requiring more experience or specialist skills are up to 80% higher).
My concern is that by revealing how much I am currently working for, employers might start to wonder about whether the work I do is really that complex, and whether as a graduate there must be something wrong with me to be working for such a relative pittance. It also of course means that when negotiating salary for a new job they know they don't have to offer so much.
What got me thinking was a few weeks ago when I was talking to some chap from a recruitment agency about a certain position. Based on my CV/covering letter he assumed I was earning more than I am; when I revealed my salary he then said he hadn't realised my salary was so low and that he had another position I might be interested in as well.
Now, what I'm wondering is whether it is worth 'bigging myself up' on forms/interviews etc by stating my salary (and hence implied worth) is slightly higher than it actually is. Anyone ever done this?
Basically while not embarrassed by my salary per se, I would say that for the type of work I do it is considerably lower than what is generally expected. Most jobs I look at which are doing very similar work, just at different companies, tend to be offering around 20-50% higher than I am on already (some requiring more experience or specialist skills are up to 80% higher).
My concern is that by revealing how much I am currently working for, employers might start to wonder about whether the work I do is really that complex, and whether as a graduate there must be something wrong with me to be working for such a relative pittance. It also of course means that when negotiating salary for a new job they know they don't have to offer so much.
What got me thinking was a few weeks ago when I was talking to some chap from a recruitment agency about a certain position. Based on my CV/covering letter he assumed I was earning more than I am; when I revealed my salary he then said he hadn't realised my salary was so low and that he had another position I might be interested in as well.
Now, what I'm wondering is whether it is worth 'bigging myself up' on forms/interviews etc by stating my salary (and hence implied worth) is slightly higher than it actually is. Anyone ever done this?
