[snowwrestler]

Lying about previous salary is not illegal in the U.S. but it will probably cause you to lose your offer if the employer finds out (and there are ways they can check it).

And there’s no reason to do it. Negotiation is about what you will bring to the new company, and how much that is worth to them. Your old salary is irrelevant.

If you want 110k just say that. If they ask what you made before, you can say something like “I was underpaid at 80k, which is why I’m talking to you now.”

[lcnPylGDnU4H9OF]

> If they ask what you made before, you can say something like “I was underpaid at 80k, which is why I’m talking to you now.”

Agreed that it's best not to give false information but you can also respond with something like, "What is your budget for this position?"

It makes it obvious -- at least, it should -- that you know they're only asking, as patio11 puts it, as an attempt to get you to compromise your negotiating position.

Giving the number and calling it out as low isn't a bad idea, just offering another for those who would prefer not to give a number at all.

[patatino]

They never found out or cared or followed up on it in any way possible.

I think it works so well because it is not a negotiation. Just stating my fake current number and they can make up their number.