When an interviewer asks me what I earned in my last position, should I tell the truth or lie a little and tell them what I want to earn? They can't find out if I lie?

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Jesus will know.

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What companies are asking what you earned in your last role? Is that really a thing? I would say what your experience is worth.

Whether they could find out if you lied depends on how thorough their background check process is and your current (or past) company's policy for verifying employment. Most companies these days will not share comp info because of privacy issues, but I once had to give a new employer a copy of a recent pay stub. So you just never know.

I would take a different approach and respond with "I'm looking for total comp between x and x", then give a $5-$10K range with the low end being the minimum amount you're willing to accept for the role you're interviewing for. Or maybe an amount slightly above where you are currently. That doesn't technically answer the question, but relevant and actionable insights. Do some search to understand what's typical for the role based on your level of experience so you aren't throwing out something way off base.

Most recruiters should accept that type of alternate answer since the goal typically is to determine whether your pay expectations fit within the budget for the role. Neither of you want to waste time going through multiple phases of an interview process only to discover there's no way they can make an offer you'd accept.

If they continue to push, I think it's perfectly okay to be a little vague and to round up to the nearest $5K. Ex: "My current total comp is in the mid-$50's, but my goal is to find something closer to the mid-point of the range I gave you previously." Be sure whatever # you give includes base annual pay plus OT, bonus or other incentive pay. You can also factor in the value of any perks or other non-traditional benefits you received and won't get at the new company (i.e. free or subsidized childcare, free parking, a gym membership, etc). Those things are very much a part of your comp too!

It’s a weird question, I would just say I don’t want to disclose that at this time

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