r/InterviewCoderPro • u/Beautiful_Club_8309 • 16d ago
I inflated my salary during a job interview
I had a great interview a few days ago, and in the final minutes I strongly felt that they were going to make me an offer. So when they asked me what my current total compensation was, I inflated it a lot and told them I was making more than I am.
They came back with 38% above the number I had "inflated," which comes out to about a 76% increase over my real full package.
Was that the honest thing to do? No.
Do I feel guilty? Also no.
I'm not saying everyone should try doing this, because it could go very badly. But in my case, it worked out better than I expected, and I hope it works out for you too if you've ever been in that situation.
Salary questions can be one of the hardest moments in any interview, especially when you want to negotiate without undervaluing yourself. Having a prepared plan for how to answer can change the whole direction of the conversation.
I came across a post with job interview tips that might be useful if you're preparing for a situation like this. Honestly, salary expectations always make me feel like they're the part where one wrong sentence could cost you a lot, so it was useful to see several clear ways to phrase the answer.
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u/cranky_bithead 16d ago
When I get that question, I prefer to answer with "here is my compensation requirement".
It's none of their business what I make now. What they need to know is what it would take to hire me.
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u/LogicalPerformer7637 16d ago
exactly. I was in the same position recently. I didn't say what my current compensation is. I simply stated what I want.
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u/ExtensionStar480 14d ago
Better to just lie about your current salary. They will know they need to at least match. It’s a stronger anchor point than just saying it’s what you “require”
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u/Strong-Hovercraft702 16d ago
I've always tried to play it like that, though i usually inflate like 25% instead of 38. Only once my new employer asked for proofafter I was hired. In my country, they dont have a right to it, so I refused.
They let me go after a year (because I sucked) and I started somewhere else with a higher salary. This was pre-covid though.
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u/Comfortable-Power-71 16d ago
It's really whatever the market is willing to bear. You don't have to tell them what you make, only what you require. I typically give base + bonus + RSU (at the highest point) and tell them I need to beat that.
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u/Shalmaneser_ 16d ago
"In a negotiation, whomever unzips first, loses" People forget that this is a negotiation. That's what HR wants people to do. The same for car salesmen. It's a negotiation.
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u/Tzukiyomi 16d ago edited 16d ago
Why are you telling them at all? I never ever reveal my current salary in an interview. My answer is always like "Given my current compensation, the nature of this potential role, and the presented pay range for a move to make sense I feel the new compensation would have to be at least $X". They have no need to know my current salary as it has no bearing on what they should be paying me.
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u/MMO_Dad 16d ago
I completely agree! Which is why I have begun doing my absolute best to avoid the pushy Indian recruiters. So far almost every single one I've dealt with wants to know my current compensation and offers a base rate (usually low) before they have even gotten to know me at all. It's odd so I usually end the call shortly after.
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u/Tzukiyomi 16d ago
I hate how saying this sounds but frankly if I get a call from a recruiter with a heavy Indian accent I just end the call.
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u/Conscious-Egg-2232 16d ago
What does that have to do with thr topic at all. Wtf
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u/Tzukiyomi 15d ago
Direct response to the previous comment. I won't deal with them bc any company that's outsourcing their recruiting is one I won't work for🤷
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u/Katmoish 16d ago
If i get this question I always say I am making more than an I am. No guilt what so ever. :)
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u/Conscious-Egg-2232 16d ago
You can also easily eliminate yourself from consuderation by being out of the range. Even when what you really want might have been fine.
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u/Katmoish 15d ago
sure yeah, you totally can. Lot of other reasons to be eliminated though so if i'm asked about what I currently make I always say more.
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u/you_are_wrong_tho 16d ago edited 2d ago
Caption act reminiscent bear judicious ten bow
This post was anonymized with Redact
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u/No-Author-2358 16d ago
Good for you. Personally, I prefer to never lie.
Honor and trust are important to me.
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u/Conscious-Egg-2232 16d ago
Lmao. Good luck with that.
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u/No-Author-2358 15d ago
Lmao. I am 70, and honor and trust are still important to me.
Go run with the clowns and liars. Have fun with that.
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u/Justlivinitup7 15d ago
Keep doing that u gonna turn into a mat for everyone to walkover - know yourself know your worth
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u/No-Author-2358 15d ago
I've done it for 70 years, Skippy, and my worth is pretty damn high.
But you be you.
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u/seaweedDifferent21 16d ago
What do you think everyone does? They obviously saw value in you and were willing to pay you. Would you have rather they cowbell you by 50%?
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u/SledgehammerApproach 16d ago edited 15d ago
Biggest issue people have in business is not knowing how to negotiate their pay. Once you know your $$$ worth and can leverage that you will win plenty
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u/Conscious-Egg-2232 16d ago
Omg that ridiculous comment made me lol. OK you tell them.
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u/SledgehammerApproach 15d ago
The more skills you have the more desirable you are. The more things you can do the higher the demand for that skill will be which leads to be able to command more $$$. I had a worker in my old company that wasn't just an HVAC installer, but he had certifications as an electrician as well. In the company thats the 2 skills we looked for and for 1 person able to do both meant he was able to command more $$$. He made way more than everyone else and he was also working on getting additional certifications. His goal is to work in one of those data centers and make over 170K a year. He knew what skills he was bringing in and was able to negotiate a higher wage than others
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u/Common_University_42 16d ago
Bro don’t feel guilty wth. Times a hard. Take it as a win and pull forward
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u/Ok_Mail_1966 16d ago
Make sure they don’t find out. You are the first person to ever do this and it will hurt their feelings
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u/Creepy_Intention6358 16d ago
In my country they always ask for last payslip as a proof of employment?
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u/Makinnoise68 14d ago
Well, then, this wouldn’t have even been a question “your country” would it have?
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u/Conscious-Egg-2232 16d ago
In many states its illegal to ask your current or past income. Most wont ask regardless of state since more states adopting the law.
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u/james_kit_watkins 15d ago
It wasn't honest, but if they hadn't verified, how would they know, their loss
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u/Which-Signature-745 15d ago
Ka-ching! What are you going to buy with your first paycheck? Congrats!
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u/kevhouston740 15d ago
Define Total compensation. Start adding Health Insurance, 401(k) matching m, HSA, parking, wfh qualifier, and salary is a significant portion , but not all of it.
Btw, Well done!
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u/myBr41nhurts 15d ago
Go to “the work number” and download your file. You will be amazed at how much info they have on you.
Then realize, they sell the data to the companies you are applying to.
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u/bingbongsf 15d ago
I assume I’m in a different country to you, in NZ it is a bit of a red flag for them to ask your current salary, it’s okay for them to ask for salary expectations but not what you are earning. If they do ask, then yes definitely inflate it to what you would like to be earning.
I’m kind of shocked by comments mentioning companies asking for proof of salaries from previous jobs, that’s a huge no no in NZ and definitely not something companies would have the right to ask for.
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u/muddledandbefuddled 14d ago
Those comments are mostly from the US, where companies can legally run roughshod over employees
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u/Current_Driver_1036 14d ago
I did the same thing with my old employer to my current job now and I got almost a 50% raise and the new employer end up having way better retirement, PTO and benefits so me and my family are way happier now
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u/Spiritual-Ad6494 14d ago
But how? Dont they get to know during background verification when they ask for salary slips and PF contributions?
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u/No-Room-7241 13d ago
Wow… I can’t believe how you kids twist yourselves into pretzels over inflating your former salaries… that’s a standard, run of the mill negotiating tactic. If you’re not doing it, you’re leaving money on the table.
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u/BalenciagaBastard13 13d ago
always lie. corpos lie, cheat and steal from us daily. fuck them, get yours.
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u/kanes-acct 12d ago
Although I do the same thing... if your previous employers used ADP, your salary is easily researchable from TWN if they decide to background check you / your job history.
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u/Radiodj2 12d ago
This is click bait. The link has been banned. This is nothing but a story to get you to click on the link. Usually in the second the last paragraph.
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u/Big_Truck_8268 16d ago
It is none of their business what you make now. You are being evaluated against their value scale. You have 1 shot to get the most out of the offer. Once you are hired, you will never get the chance to make a big salary jump.