Facing a Salary Dilemma: How Should I Handle My Current Pay in a Job Interview?

Hi seniors,

I am an IT professional (Unix administrator) with a total of 10 years of experience. My first 3 years were in India, followed by 6 years in the Middle East. I then returned and was forced to join my family business (in fact, my father-in-law's business) 1.5 years ago. It is an engineering Pvt. Ltd. company. I always wanted to go back to IT, which is my passion. I appeared for an interview with a top MNC, got selected in 2 tech rounds, a communication round, and a formal HR round. Now, the company is going to send me the Employee Application Form (EAF) and has asked me to appear for a face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager.

Now, my problem is that my salary is just 3.6 Lakhs/yr (I don't have many expenses as I am living with my father-in-law and family). My official designation is Director (which I don't like anyway!). My previous salary was 18 Lakhs/yr in the UAE. I have all the original payslips and other documents. If I show my current pay (from the family business), will the HR manager degrade my skill level? Should I present only my old salary? I don't want to fake my current pay even though it is less. How can I face this? My face-to-face salary discussion is going to be this week. I don't have much idea about PF, ESI, or TAX as in the Middle East there was no TAX, PF, etc. I know I am presently paying TDS. Please help me get out of this dilemma. I am looking for around 10-11 Lakhs/yr. Seniors, please help.

Thank you.

CTC is determined based on your past experience and performance levels. It is advisable to present both your pay slips from the UAE and India during negotiations.

Hi,

I think the offer of 3.6 Lakhs is very low for your level of experience. You must negotiate and try to get the maximum possible; otherwise, you have your family business to fall back on. Alternatively, try to negotiate as much as you can, stay in the organization for 6 months to 1 year, and then make a move. I can't think of any other way...

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Shikha

3.6 is not the offer, that's my current CTC. My last round of interview with one of the Top MNC is going to happen in a few days, and they told me the salary part will be discussed. My problem is showing the current CTC of 3.6 Lakhs, so as PON1965 suggested, I have decided to show my previous salary of 18L (UAE) and current CTC and negotiate... the rest is left to the hiring manager.