discussing compensation during application/interview

[SkinnyJoe]

When a person is asked to list their current salary, should they list it? With some sort of note? Can the potential employer check that? Would the current employer give them that info? Not sure why they need it in the first place, as 1) cost of living varies greatly by location and 2) people leave jobs to make more money elsewhere.


Thanks your advice.

 

[Gollnick]

When a person is asked to list their current salary, should they list it?

Why not? It's a fact no different than when you started your current position or where you currently work.

1) cost of living varies greatly by location

Everyone knows that and those data are widely available (use the web). Everyone knows that a salary in Witchita, Kansas isn't equivalent to one in San Francisco, California and everyone knows how to properly compare them.

2) people leave jobs to make more money elsewhere.

Every employer knows what salaries are in his industry in his area. Every employee should too. (Again, use the web. You may have to buy those data in some industries, but fifty bucks spent for a salary survey report can be very well spent if it helps you negotiate a better salary. And it's best to check several sources.)

You don't negotiate a salary until an offer is made. Any attempt to raise the subject at an interview is coyley deflected saying, "Oh, I'm sure that, when the time comes, you will make me a generous offer in light of my education, skills, experience, and many other qualifications. Right now, let's focus on what I can do for you."

 

[SkinnyJoe]

You don't negotiate a salary until an offer is made.

That's the thing. It's harder to negotiate if you are underpaid (first job in this field) for your geographical area. Ethics issues aside, if one exaggerates their current salary, could the potential employer find out exactly how much a person makes with their current employer (it's not a government job) from HR, or, is this information confidential?

Thanks.

 

[cj65]

It does not really matter so much. As a person who used to hire and fire, I would look at salaries, and eliminate ones if it was higher than what job I was offering, but more willing to interview the ones that were lower. If the person had a higher salary that I could budget for but I wanted to interview, I would let them know the range of salary. It was not worth wasting their time or mine. If your previous job description does not match the current one you are interviewing for, it is a mute point. Correct in not negotiating salary until an offer is made. A good response if they ask, "I am hoping that the salary you offer matches my skill set as well as the job description. I am excited to hear about more details of this opportunity." Good luck to you, remember that once you agree to a salary, you may not get very big raises later. Hold out for reasonable pay or look elsewhere. Congrats on hooking the interview.

 

[Phil Elmore]

If they ask your salary requirements, you say you are "flexible." If they ask for your history, you do not lie.

 

[joe-bob]

The way I see it is that they ask you so that they can "justify" making you a low-ball offer.

And YES, it is entirely appropriate to ask about what the salary of a particular position is during an interview! Why wouldn't it be? The prospective employer has no inherent right to waste your irreplaceable time. If a job isn't going to pay what you want, you have every right to walk, and you should.

Remember, not only are they interviewing you, but you are interviewing them as well. Everything about their company is as fair game as your information is to them. They may have poor ethics and immoral business practices, which is very common today. It's important to keep in mind that just because a certain company lists a job opening does not mean they deserve to be your employer.

 

[SkinnyJoe]

The way I see it is that they ask you so that they can "justify" making you a low-ball offer.
And YES, it is entirely appropriate to ask about what the salary of a particular position is during an interview! Why wouldn't it be? The prospective employer has no inherent right to waste your irreplaceable time. .

They don't ask you to serve your interest, but theirs, which is normal in a business environment. You said it right in your first sentence.

I happen to believe it's a highly personal question, and kind of inappropriate (kind of like asking you about your sexual orientation, religious views), but what I think about it is irrelevant, as it is legal and widely accepted.

However, with my post I am trying to figure out if HR at my current position can legally give out my salary information without my consent, and I guess a lawyer (or two) would probably have an idea.

Any employment lawyers, HR people here?

Thanks again for your responses. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[SkinnyJoe]

Correct in not negotiating salary until an offer is made. A good response if they ask, "I am hoping that the salary you offer matches my skill set as well as the job description. I am excited to hear about more details of this opportunity." Good luck to you, remember that once you agree to a salary, you may not get very big raises later. .

Some places unfortunately specify "fax resume with salary requirements".
But yes, salary is something that is done at the end of the game. And unless a person desperately wants or needs a particular job, they should never fall in love with a job so much that they are not willing to politely walk out on it if the salary offer is unfair for that geographical location. First jobs we take out of desperation (at least I did) so I had no leverage. However, it just insults my intelligence that someone hiring me further down the line would want to take advantage of my desperate situation years ago.