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“What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

fearlesssalarynegotiation.com

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Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#21

Post by mywittyname »

I've never had much luck with this approach. It sucks to get through the interview process and find out that you're asking for $XX,000 more than they are willing to pay for the position. I now prefer to state up-front how much I want, rather than wasting time getting an offer for ten+ thousand less than I want and only have HR willing to come up a few grand.

I'm sure many people have applied this technique to great success, but I have strong doubts that it's universal. Maybe it's because I never bring much to the table, or that I live in an area where "market" salaries are not affordable for companies.

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#22

Post by onion2k »

I do this. It's a good strategy in most circumstances, but you do need to be careful. On one occasion it killed the whole process because the company refused to go further with the interview on the basis they assumed they wouldn't be able to afford me. I think they just wanted cheap developers. If you don't have other places to apply to or you're applying somewhere you really want to join, it does come with some risk.

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#23

Post by averageweather »

Apparently in MA, USA, where I live, it is illegal to ask this[1]. It is brought up on Business Radio often (sirius xm 111). Although strangely, the host always thinks the law applies just to woman, which I'd find very odd. However, I am not sure people abide by it.

1. https://qz.com/749476/massachusetts-salary-history-job-inter...

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#24

Post by e1ven »

averageweather wrote: post #23

Apparently in MA, USA, where I live, it is illegal to ask this[1]. It is brought up on Business Radio often (sirius xm 111). Although strangely, the host always thinks the law applies just to woman, which I'd find very odd. However, I am not sure people abide by it. 1. https://qz.com/749476/massachusetts-salary-history-job-inter...

The bill doesn't go into effect until next year - July 1, 2018.

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#25

Post by averageweather »

mywittyname wrote: post #21

I've never had much luck with this approach. It sucks to get through the interview process and find out that you're asking for $XX,000 more than they are willing to pay for the position. I now prefer to state up-front how much I want, rather than wasting time getting an offer for ten+ thousand less than I want and only have HR willing to come up a few grand. I'm sure many people have applied this technique to great s…

Very much agree. Just get the salary discussion done with up front. Saves both parties time IMO.

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#26

Post by misja111 »

Very good article, but I'm not sure if their advice for the answer to the salary question will always work:

>I’m not comfortable sharing my current salary. I would prefer to focus on the value I can add to this company rather than what I’m paid at my current job. I don’t have a specific number in mind for a desired salary, ...

Now what if they will offer you some salary, and you find it too low? You have just said that you didn't have a specific number in mind. To me it looks like that sentence threw away your opportunity to disagree with the offer and ask for a higher bid?

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#27

Post by icc97 »

onion2k wrote: post #22

I do this. It's a good strategy in most circumstances, but you do need to be careful. On one occasion it killed the whole process because the company refused to go further with the interview on the basis they assumed they wouldn't be able to afford me. I think they just wanted cheap developers. If you don't have other places to apply to or you're applying somewhere you really want to join, it does come with some risk…

He does answer this question:

> If they discontinue the interview process because you won’t share two of the three unique pieces of information you have, then they’re extremely motivated to get a bargain on your skillset and experience, and they’re not focused on finding the right candidate for the role itself.

> That’s bad news for you even if you get the job. Do you really want to work somewhere that is so myopic that they ignore perfectly qualified candidates simply because the candidate won’t make the negotiation easier?

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#29

Post by utnick »

I don't really see the point of not telling them, if the company has no idea about your previous salary, they aren't going to be tricked into offering you some huge number, they are going to come in at the average wage in your location for that position.

What you should do instead is identify the number you want to get paid before hand. ( Which should be higher than the average ) And then honestly tell them , I'm currently paid X, but am looking for a job that pays Y.

If they say they can't do that, its too big of jump or whatever, just say that you understand and thanks and move on to the next company

Re: “What’s your current salary?” is a trap question–Here's how to answer it

#30

Post by dethswatch »

madenine wrote: post #6

A close friend recently related to me that during an interview process the HR contact mentioned that they had just revoked an offer from someone who 'asked for too much' during negotiations. Director level position (non-profit, Washington DC). Candidate asked for ~100k, and they were willing to give it to them - until they got a detailed salary history and found out their current salary was ~80k... so they would've o…

Them: "We'd like to see proof of your salary history."

Me: "Sorry- we arrived at an agreeable number earlier. I don't see how a salary history would change that."

Them: (stammers...)

Either way it's a win- you either get it, or they toss you and you dodged a FUCKING BULLET.

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