First of all, disclosure: New account to protect identity.
For a while now I've been poking around and seeing what other opportunities are out there for me. For the last few years I've been with a company that notoriously underpays it's developers. In the last few months, I've been held back from promotions and working / planning new projects.
For these reasons I've decided that it's probably time for a change. However, I've been stuck at this lower salary now for quite some time. In past discussions with recruiters about positions, I've disclosed my salary and only got offers that were a little bit better. Nothing ground shaking, but still not enough to ditch the few perks that I still have where I am.
So I decided to try something new. When asked by recruiters what my salary is, I first try and dodge the question. If they persist, I tell them my salary is what I feel I should be making instead of what I actually am. I usually raise this number by around 25 - 35% more than what I am making now. After doing this, I am getting interviews for positions that are willing to pay me between 50 - 70% more than what I am currently making.
My questions to everyone is this:
1.) Do you think this is unethical?
2.) Have you ever done this? (If Yes: Have you ran into any issues after doing so?)
3.) Am I stupid for not doing this sooner?
For a while now I've been poking around and seeing what other opportunities are out there for me. For the last few years I've been with a company that notoriously underpays it's developers. In the last few months, I've been held back from promotions and working / planning new projects.
For these reasons I've decided that it's probably time for a change. However, I've been stuck at this lower salary now for quite some time. In past discussions with recruiters about positions, I've disclosed my salary and only got offers that were a little bit better. Nothing ground shaking, but still not enough to ditch the few perks that I still have where I am.
So I decided to try something new. When asked by recruiters what my salary is, I first try and dodge the question. If they persist, I tell them my salary is what I feel I should be making instead of what I actually am. I usually raise this number by around 25 - 35% more than what I am making now. After doing this, I am getting interviews for positions that are willing to pay me between 50 - 70% more than what I am currently making.
My questions to everyone is this:
1.) Do you think this is unethical?
2.) Have you ever done this? (If Yes: Have you ran into any issues after doing so?)
3.) Am I stupid for not doing this sooner?