I’ve applied to London/Hybrid based role that’s advertising a role that doesn’t sound too different to my old job. They initially asked for essentially a junior with 0-2 years of experience, but I have almost 8 years.
I’ve had two jobs in my life as an SDE in the UK, and I’ve been at my first job for almost 7 years where I was lead developer, but I then left and started contracting for about a year.
I left my first job as for about 5 of those 7 years, I was working an average 120 hour work weeks, whilst being paid £20,000. I had received 2 pay rises during my entire time there (one of which was because I was below minimum wage).
I applied to this job and was told I’ve been shortlisted as my experience at my first job aligns up perfectly with this new one.
However after providing them my email to begin the interview process, I received an email asking for details so they can run an “Employee background check”, this check is mandatory to move to the next stage, and they’ve asked for the following information:
- Full Name
- Date Of Birth
- Nationality
- 5 Year Address History
- Working Rights in the UK
- Current Salary
- Desired Salary
- Notice Period
Now I don’t have much experience at applying for jobs at all. My first job was toxic, abusive, and probably broke a dozen or so laws by forcing me to almost never leave the office and paying me a salary (no overtime) that’s below minimum wage. My 2nd contracting job, I was headhunted so I basically just walked in no questions asked. But asking for a background check on what I understand is the first step sounds like a red flag. They’re additionally asking for a current salary, which I’m not comfortable providing since I’m moving from senior to senior, but I was being paid less than an apprentice.
Thoughts on what I should do here? The role is advertising a salary of £75k, and I want to open negotiations at at least £70k (I’m tired of being used and severely underpaid).