Most recruiters ask about my current salary, which is below market rate, and then try to use this information against me when we discuss my salary expectations. I work in industry and it's difficult to tell how much I make if you just look at my job title and responsibilities. What happens if i add 20-25% to my salary when I talk to recruiters?

You could die a long and horrible death.

Why? If it's money you want then say that outright and give a minimum figure you'd move for. If it's for your career then you need to be flexible on salary. A good recruiter will not try and get you a bad salary.

Who stole my name?All we are doing is what our clients will do. We want you to get the highest basic salary possible, but we also want you to get a job in the first place. What can happen is that your new employer to be insists on seeing a P45 before you start work, doesn't believe you when you say you've lost it, and withdraws the offer, (yes, they can do that if you've lied about your salary).

Well, if an employer were to accuse me of lying to them before I even started, then frankly I wouldn't want to work for them!

Well if you were, in fact, lying, then that would show pretty good judgement and due dilligence on their part.

I have never understood why anyone is obliged to answer this question. It is a private matter. I have always said, with a smile, basically that, and told them the salary I would move for. It has never been a problem.

Exactly. It's a nasty intrusion of privacy.

Well since you're posting here I'd guess you're looking to move from industry to consulting. In this case I'd just be honest with a recruiter and say you appreciate the higher intensity lifestyle and responsiblity in MC bla bla bla is partly compensated by the overall remuneration..

Just a word of warning - a friend of mine got fired for this exact reasonIf they find out you've lied about your salary, they'll wonder what else you lied about.

Timmy TaylorCan you tell us what were the exact circs around your friend being fired?It is extremely rare for this to happen - and I wondered if there were any intereting features.

Lying about the salary is the same as lying about anything - it don't mean jack until the company wishes to find a way to get rid of you quickly.

Lying about your salary. Why? If you are honest to your employer, explain your rationale for your salary expectation. Being able to negotiate with your new employer is a skill they would admire. Don't forget, you will be exposed and if you fail to deliver, you will be out. My experience as an employer and employee is clear: - Be honest with your salary and realistic on your new salary (e.g. if you are on 20k and want 60k, then that is not going to fly)- Negotiate. Explain your rationale for the salary you are asking, e.g. because of the demands of the role, capitalising on my depth of skills, and/or travelling demands you believe are commitments you feel need to be factored in the renumeration package. Mind you, if you feel you should justify a 60k+ salary, for example, then be mindful that you will be expected to deliver. I know companies are looking at the pool of candidates, and the poor quality candidates are being fleshed out. I know, some of my team members are on extortionate salaries + perks. They don't realise that in this economic climate, quality of candidates, abilities, performance are being assessed. I'll be moving alot of these overpaid, poor quality candidates out of my team. Fact is they lied at the interview about there skillset and with a little research I have also unearthed they have not delivered the projects they claimed to have delivered.