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How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

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Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#31

Post by beaconstudios »

Here's something that worked well for me: I deferred the salary question until after I'd had some contact with my potential employer (rather than the recruiter) so they had a sense of my value. Then, when asked what my current salary was, I said something along the lines of the following: "my current salary is well below where I want it to be, because I started out in a low-level job and worked my way up getting the usual incremental pay rises when I changed jobs. I'm currently on £XX,XXX but rather than give me an incremental offer I want you to give me an honest offer of what you think I am worth".

It depends on the company, but in my experience SMEs aren't out to screw people on salary and being honest and straightforward netted me a much more generous offer than I would have gotten otherwise. Many of the comments in this thread seem to advocate using tricks to fight the tricks that recruiters use, but sometimes being honest and letting your potential employer see your perspective can work wonders. Especially once you've gotten to know them a little bit in an interview or phone call so they don't feel like they're taking a gamble by employing you.

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#32

Post by Spearchucker »

cies wrote: post #26
DoubleGlazing wrote: post #17

I find that a lot of the tactics used to deflect or avoid answering awkward questions in interviews just do not work. There are two questions that always get me in interviews. The first one is the salary one. If I am evasive, or try to deflect, the interviewer will probe deeper. They just wont take no for an answer. In fact I've even been told straight up "Give us a figure, or we won't proceed". Another one is about…

I once named my salary and they thought it was so high that they said they'll need a salary strip to prove it before signing the contract. The negotiation stranded on other points, so I never had to. But I had the gut feeling this practice is not legal (in EU).

It is not legal (data protection act). And my experience is the same. I tell the recruiter this and if they persist I politely end the conversation. There are enough jobs out there.

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#33

Post by Cakez0r »

mooreds wrote: post #7
neverminder wrote: post #5

And what if you lie? Also, I think it depends on what country you're in. For instance in UK most recruiters are 3rd party companies operating only as middlemen and their compensation from the employer company is directly proportional to your offered yearly salary (usually something like 15%), so they are interested in getting you the highest possible salary within reason.

Lying (about anything) seems like a poor way to start a relationship between you and your employer. Of course, negotiation is expected and you shouldn't lay all your cards on the table, but outright lying might poison the relationship.

When the question is designed to exploit you financially, I have no problem lying to answer it.

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#34

Post by dood »

As developers we are highly in demand right now so don't have to be overly clever in negotiation.

I use a simple and foolproof strategy when asked for my current or expected compensation: "sorry I'm not willing to disclose my current comp, but I am looking for around X", where X is the amount you would need if there are no other bonuses or perks.

Then they can talk you down from there if they want to proceed, you have anchored the conversation appropriately, and demonstrated you are negotiating from a position of strength, not weakness - which is the key to not getting pushed around.

If they push on current comp just stand firm and politely refuse - you likely don't want to work anywhere that won't talk to you if you refuse to disclose your current comp, and there are plenty of other options besides. Save your time and energy for good companies willing to negotiate in good faith, there are lots around.

The only hard part is determining what your labour is really worth - this can take a fair bit of effort, research and soul-searching, but is an absolutely essential prerequisite to negotiation.

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#35

Post by LoSboccacc »

pleasecalllater wrote: post #11
marbletiles wrote: post #6

There's no reason to answer that question. Instead, talk about your expectations: say that your understanding is the role involves X, Y, and Z, and you have experience in related areas A, B, C, and accordingly you'd be looking to get $x for this role. Then, transfer it all back to them: "Does that fit with your range for the position?"

The only reason is that if you don't answer, you won't get the job, because there will be someone who will answer. And this is sad.

^ so much this. all those suggestion pretend the employer and the candidate exists in a vacuum of pure unadulterated haggling, while just the act of taking slightly more hr time for being difficult will get your resume thrown at the bottom of the pile.

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#36

Post by chrisbennet »

If at all possible, avoid going in through the front door i.e. use your network to get introduced. Perhaps someone you worked with or went to school with works at the company you're interested in. This may give you a little more leverage with H.R.

An even better way is avoid companies that are large enough to even have an H.R. department.

When faced with the "give us a number or we're done" just stand up, reach out to shake their hand, smile and say "Thank you for your time." You have no leverage, and the company is demonstrating that they want to hire developers like they are an interchangeable commodity - they don't really value them.

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#38

Post by credit_guy »

Here's a better advice, if you allow me to quote the title of a book by Cal Newton: be so good at what you do that they can't ignore you.

Don't play little games like that. You end up wasting everybody's time. Maybe you don't care about their time, but you should care about yours. The interview process is taxing, you can't focus properly at your current job, the uncertainty eats at you, you can't treat it as a zero cost to you.

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#39

Post by shizzlest »

No answer is as bad as the truth or a lie.

how about " Well, I did apply to your company to improve, so we should rather have a conversation about the money I expect than what I currently have. Here is what I want to get paid [insert number 20% higher than what you really would settle for].... Does it fit into your range ? "

That gives enough room but also leaves enough chance to go on in the interview. Remind yourself that getting a job at a price that you set by yourself is better than being afraid of loosing out the opportunity to max out to the limit. Good staff always gets a second chance !

Re: How to answer the “What’s your current salary?” job interview question

#40

Post by tzs »

reavon wrote: post #20
josh_fyi wrote: post #2

Say "My contract prevents me from disclosing my compensation package" (probably true), "and I treat my commitments seriously."

By law (in the US anyway), employer's can't keep you from disclosing your salary.

If you are thinking of the National Labor Relations Act, that is not quite correct. Disclosing your pay to fellow employees is allowed, but the employer can prohibit disclosing your pay to outsiders. Also, this does not cover supervisors or contractors. (These limitations make some sense, as the purpose of prohibiting discussing pay was to facilitate collective bargaining).

I believe that some states have laws that provide more extensive protection for pay disclosure, including to outsiders.

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