How do companies perform salary reference checks?

lets say Candidate X is interviewing with JPMorgan. Does JPmorgan call Goldman Sachs (Candidate X's current employer) to speak with HR and just ask how much he was making there? I feel that Goldman Sachs would be less likely to reveal their numbers. Besides, don't candidates just lie about their previous/current salary and inflate numbers? How do you guys handle the issue of salary negotiation?

11 Comments
 

I'm hesitant to comment on this as I have only done it once, but salary negotiations can be particularly tricky situations and the way you should proceed will be largely dictated by a multitude of factors such as your current position, how long you've been at it, the company you're leaving and going to etc. If you're asking because you're currently negotiating, it would probably be easier to give you an answer if you gave a little more detail...feel free to PM if you don't want to put your shit out there

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

When I moved from retail banking to UBS, before making an offer UBS asked for my two most recent paychecks. That sucked, 'cause I was not able to make up a higher number and try to get more.

I was surprised by that and it was the first, and only time so far, that it happened like that.

Calling HR directly of course is another way.

I am fortunate enough to be working in a much smaller company right now, and the HR person is a great friend. I can literally make up anything I want, when (and if) the opportunity comes....

 

Yes. Not only that but literally read from your resume and any other information you have provided about your specific duties and ask if that information is true. So be prepared for that. "Elaborate" on your duties but make sure they are credible.

 
Best Response

I don't think that is a huge issue. 5K is within reason. I mean suppose your base is 65K and you get some gifts and misc crap that you have to claim as income. As long as it isn't 10-20K over you should be good.

Honestly, I think it is part of negotiation. They are asking about your previous salary for negotiation purposes and to see if you are too expensive for them.

 

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