Hi all,

I have a couple interviews lined up this week and was wondering what the standard practice is on this...

For the interview, is it normal for employers to request I bring along a current copy of my paycheck? Should i comply? What are the pros and cons?

Appreciate your help.

This post has been edited by bluishblueblack: Jul 27 2015, 09:29 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Only after posting here did I stumble upon entire threads dedicated to this topic. So I have read quite extensively our fellow members comments and sort of summarised the following:

1. Employers want to verify your present pay range/employment status. Reasons: Check candidate's honesty (if indeed this is the method in doing so, this is a really silly reason), check competitors' package, check market rates, etc.

2. Employers want to avoid paying too exorbitantly for a person who may not be standout material for a mid- or entry-level position of which the talent pool may be bigger where it is relatively easier to dispense and replace candidates.

3. Employers stand to have the upper hand in offer negotiation since they have control over one important element which for most people can be the most important.

4. Candidates can reject such requests (reason: P&C, is PDPA applicable?) or choose to withdraw from the job application, though less educated/qualified/experienced candidates usually unquestioningly comply.

5. Candidates may go ahead and give out their payslips if they feel that a % markup is what they are gunning for (esp for similar level jobs)

6. I will bring along my pay slip and try to enquire the purpose of submission. I don't suppose any silly reason is going to be valid and I may need to submit this to them reluctantly or risk dropping out of contention altogether. As I am aiming for a career change (from academic to industry), any % markup on my existing salary will be welcome. Indeed, I am actually worried whether I will get offered the chance even with a pay cut. This is not to say that my present salary is very high, but I'd be the first to admit that I have little industrial experience in the job I am interested in. Getting invited to an interview, I suppose, is a mini victory.

Going for two interviews this Friday, hope the stars will be on my side.

Hi all. I am presently working as a lecturer in a private uni at my hometown in perak. Current gross salary is 4.9k. I have been thinking of switching careers and so started applying for jobs some three weeks ago. So far, i have attended interviews with 2 companies in the klang valley and have another scheduled for next monday. Yesterday i received an offer from one of the firms i had met earlier this week... rm5.9k gross.

I am turning 31 later this year and have been contemplating a change of career to the industry/corporate environment. My wife who also teaches at the same uni is also looking for a job in klang valley so we are thinking of relocating some time later this year. Our present commitment includes paying monthly installments for our house in ipoh and the one myvi which we share.

Hope to get some advice whether i should accept it and put in my resignation right away. If you have questions, just ask and i will reply. Thanks in advance for sharing your opinions.

Thanks for the replies. Yes i understand the increase of living cost means moving to kl may result in a nett loss. Hoping my wife will also get a similar increase that will slightly cushion the impact of having to rent a relatively safe place to stay.

I have been contemplating this switch of career for a year now, and we both feel a short term sacrifice may be worth it considering the potential of salary growth in the industry as compared to staying on in academia and having to invest in a phd journey which will take many years with only a small pay rise at the end.

Am just worried that we will lose both value and drive each day we continue staying in our present comfort zones...

Dilemma... listen to the heart, which urges me to explore a new path... or listen to the brain, which urges me to listen to your advice.

Yes. Don't want to live with regrets, whatever the decision made, I want to be able to look back with the knowledge that I had tried my best to fulfill my potential to the fullest.

Absolutely valid points. I suppose it is difficult to be optimisticin our present economic uncertainty. Things may only worsen and we may fall down and hurt ourselves a couple more times than if we choose to remain in our comfort zone. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully a year or two from now I will ba able to say with conviction that I overcome the odds and achieved my dream of doing well in a rewarding career rather than being stuck with a job with little potential of growing any wealth.