You’re in the interview process, things are going well, looks like a good fit and an interesting job, and then the bomb drops “so, what do you make in your current job?”
I hate this question and never really know how to answer it gracefully. IMHO, what I make now is my concern and if you give me an offer then I will evaluate that offer. I give a number too low, and you think I’m a loser. Or else, you hire me and sooner or later I find out I make substantially less than “standard” at your company. Or I currently make more than your company can possibly pay, but I hate my job and would willingly trade off for something more interesting, less stressful, good options, shorter commute, whatever. By the way, we’re talking 6 figure range and not struggling to barely rise above minimum wage.
When interviewing for my last job, when I got the “what do you make” question my answer went something like this…
“I currently make a lot of money and am possibly even overpaid in my profession. There are, however, other things about a job that are as valuable or more valuable than the salary offered. I will entertain any fair and reasonable offer.”
They pressed, I told them what I made, they kind of gasped.
It worked, I got the job. I did take a slight pay cut from my previous job (where we were about to all get laid off).
Then their is my hubby’s method. Have someone call to recruit you. Insist you are happy. Have them persist. Let them know about all the issues (long commute, longer hours, in his case). They persist. Name a completely unreasonable figure (because you don’t really want the job anyway) have them match your unreasonable number, and throw in some bonuses.
If pushed I would state an amount reasonably above the minimum I would accept this job for, then add the proviso that I don’t make decisions about a job (sorry - ‘career’) based solely on the money, but am happy to discuss salary if the position is one I’m excited about. Or some other bobbins along the same lines.
I just went through this. Since I was negotiating from the standpoint of a contractor being hired, they knew how much I was making. I also knew there’s wiggle room because I get credit for things like college and the like. So I named a range that sets my base salary as what I was making, and named a top figure. They seemed happy with that.
What Crusoe said.
Start with what you’re making now. Up the ante by a judicious amount and play from there; bluff, call but always know what cards you’re actually holding while psyching out what the other either holds or wants.
It really IS a game. (If the stakes aren’t real, why bother?)
Useful tactics: a job isn’t just money; it’s also fringe benefits, training opportunities, promotion practices, etc.
It’s a package so negotiate that way. Quote salary in a RANGE, depending on context.
Enlightening but perfectly legitimate questions to ask:
“Why is this position open? New, promotion, someone left…?”
“What training opporunities do you provide?”
Trust your instincts, know your market and be prepared to adjust your expectations. If your gut tells ya they chew up and shit out employees like Drone Chow then make them bleed straight salary and basic benefits. If you’re hurting for the salary but some (paid) training is tossed in the pot, adjust the money in exchange for added skills.
Don’t quote a set figure; quote a range with feelers out for what you could use.
Nope, not illegal AFIK. Prohibited questions about race, ethnic background, age, marital status, etc. are intended to prevent discriminatory hiring practices. Salary history doesn’t fall into that category.
Hmmmm. I’ve seen some application forms–especially for entry level jobs–that ask for pay rates at previous jobs. I guess someone could just leave that part blank.
Maybe some other Dopers might have a more complete answer, Dragwyr, but maybe that helps a little.