I’m filling out an application form for a high tech scientific position. I would like to keep some things private, such as my current rate and historical rate of pay, my social security number.
Is it generally acceptable to leave these items blank? I would prefer to not release the information until I have more of a commitment from the company I’m talking to.
I guess there is a way you could put “upon request” for the SSN (even though the application form is the request), and “competitive” or something like that for pay rate. However, this may look rather sketchy to the company. Regardless of your pay history, this is a new negotiation if it should come to that, and you will have your current acceptable range in mind.
What stage are you at? Did you apply using a cover letter and resume, or is this application form the first step?
This is kind of dicey. As a hiring manager, I scan over the application just before or just after doing an interview. I have had a couple of people leave the salary history blank. It doesn’t especially bother me because I’m going to pay the person what I think their value will be to me and market rates, rather than what they are getting paid now. I have had both remarkably underpaid and overpaid applicants. For that reason I am not sure why this is such a standard question on an application.
However, be aware that instead of applying common sense, many people will wonder what you’ve got to hide.
As for SSN, a company will need that if they run a background check. I can understand your not wanting to broadcast it everywhere, but if they ask for it after a first interview I would provide it.
Another reason employers ask for salary history is to see if you’ve been advancing or not. If you skip from one job to another every other year without getting a better salary, it suggests something altogether different than if you’re gettin better pay each time you change jobs.