if u r reluctant, then ask on what basis they need to know ur salary. if u r not convinced by their answer, then u may decline to answer. do add that u r doing that for, let say, to safeguard ur current/previous company confidentiality?

cheers!

There is a chance that they might just want to gauge the amount of pay you were receiving in your previous job and your expected salary. If the increase is a lot then they will definitely be suspicious.

There are incidences where I have encountered that when they asked for my previous salary they wanted to see how much of an increase would be necessary to hire me.

normally, an increase of around 20% is acceptable.

If you want to be sneaky, you can always lie. Your potential employer can't demand your salary slip or payment records. They can only ask you nicely.

You could be earning like 3k, told them you earn 3.5k and demand 4k. However, if the employer was only prepared to give 3.5k, you might actually not get the RM 500 increase because you wanted a 1k increase and you will be back at square 1.

Alternatively, you could just tell them you are getting 3k but you want 4k. Most likely you will not get the 4k offer. If they offered you 3.5k, you would most proabaly take it. Unless you are brave enough to say no, you won't take it and they are desperate enough in getting you at all cost.

I think 20% is a reasonable standard. Anything less than that is generally not a very good idea. So 20% X change job 5 times = at least double your current pay.

I guess when negotiating for salary, it all really boils down to your own qualifications that the company is willing to pay extra for. If you know the position is a very open type where the company has had hundreds of applicants applying for, it is not very wise as most companies would not offer you higher if another person is willing to accept lower.

hmm. this salary issue really cracked my up. seems no definite answer. i think it's like mavik says, u gotta understand the position u r in to determine if it's appropriate for u to answer or not.

if u asked for a large increment, just be prepared to justify ur case. cheers!

salary issue is always tough. candidate wants the highest in the range but the employer look for candidates that can accept lowest in the range. sigh...

and that's the reason why they want to know previous salary as they are not willing to compensate skills and knowledge fairly. they rather benchmark to previous salary in order to justify increment.

so, good luck with the salary-related questions!

hmm, im thinking of applying for a job in malaysia, is it really uncommon to wear a suit for the interview here?

Usually a formal suite with a tie but without a blazer is sufficient.

depends on what type of work, and the position level

Do u guys think tat like going interview for graphic designer or multimedia developer this few position need to wear formal??

It's better to do so. First impression is important.

yeah, better be
esp if its a big company

but a tie is not compulsary here
suit is a big no

that is definitely overdress over here.

Depending on whether you are a female or male.

For females, their interview clothes can be a suit (skirt and jacket).

For males, a shirt and tie will do.

a few of my female colleagues wore coats(suit?) to work. They look fine.

Even at the same hierarchy level, if I wore a coat, that would be overkill. Its just weird. Maybe only at Senior Management onwards, then perhaps its appropriate

Yeah it really depends on the working environment you are in and the functional level you are working at.

Senior managers do often meet clients and they have to look presentable. But for example, a snr manager working in KLCC would have very different work clothes compared to that working in a factory plant.

As for females, the suit/coat is a norm here in Malaysia and it gives a nice and formal look. In this case, position really doesn't matter as secretaries also wear their business suit to look presentable.

I'm not sure if someone mentioned this but if you are invited to an interview with lunch provided or coffee break, be aware that they are still judging you even if it's a break.

Behave positively, beware of your manners, ask questions and take the initiative to talk to the interviewers there

nvr know there's this type of interview session. thx for the heads' up! anymore pointers to share on this?

btw, u r from 221b baker street? solved any big crimes lately?