Comments on: Salary History

By: Helasraizam

Helasraizam — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:02:15 +0000

“How much did you make with your previous employer?”
“Oh, about as much as I expect to make here.”
To leave them dumbfounded and speechless just long enough to change the subject.

By: CiscoWanaB

CiscoWanaB — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:54:57 +0000

I agree with using the $1 amount for online applications. No sane employer expects someone to work for $1 per year and it will at least make you stand out, to a degree. I do not agree with answering in a manner that makes you appear aggressive. I’ve been on the telephone during a technical interview with half a dozen engineers grilling me over my technical knowledge trying to make me “slip up” and I’ve had to basically take over the call and say something like, “Okay, I can not possibly know the answer to every technical question that you could ask a candidate but I am confident that I would add outstanding value and experience to your organization that you will find highly beneficial should I be selected for this position. I have a high degree of learning potential and have proven that at every company that I’ve been associated with over my career.”

By: CiscoWanaB

CiscoWanaB — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:38:35 +0000

Okay, how to “correctly” answer this question when asked is akin to studying for an industry certification exam; the wrong answer could easily fail you from consideration. It would be highly unlikely that any two companies though process would be the same thus making it impossible to prepare an answer based on the above 6 scenarios.

By: jc

jc — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:20:45 +0000

Great advise guys! Got the question asked last year and wasn’t prepared. Gave them my true number and it hurt me, all they did was match it. IMO, that question can and only will hurt you if answered with a figure. Its an employer’s market so be ready.

By: RP

RP — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:15:23 +0000

I’ve been through managers training at a large telecomms company where i learned that future employers cannot inquire as to many details (legally) of your previous employment. Those details include such things as salary, attendance, sick days taken, tardiness, HR cases, performance reviews, reasons for termination or departure and even your position. Truly the only information a previous employer *can* share with a future employer is that you in fact worked there, and what your start and end dates were. If any other information is shared you have the right to sue your previous employer for any number of reasons, and can collect future income not earned as a result of their negligence.

Morale to this story is – that is confidential information, but determine your value before you ever talk to a potential employer. Practice negotiating salary in private (with your spouse or a friend) before you get there. And be able to recite a summary of your positive characteristics/values that you will bring to the position given your knowledge, wisdom and experiences. Be able to tell a story about yourself well beyond your resume. These all help in ANY negotiation, whether it’s for a new job or a 1st date!~

By: ppindia

ppindia — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:57:08 +0000

hmm…Interesting, here in India you are almost forced to answer the question since you have to bring your last 3 months pay slip, bank statement, income tax returns, offer letter of previous company to prove what your previous salary is(which they will be verify later!). Otherwise however good you are you wont get the job!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:03:36 +0000

[...] Four-Pillars has an article about disclosing your current salary in an interview. [...]

By: Steve Hanov

Steve Hanov — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:35:28 +0000

A good excuse to not quote your salary is confidentiality. Every raise I’ve ever gotten has been marked, “strictly confidential” on the letter. Technically, I could be sued for revealing it!

Thanks for the link. I happen to read this blog and it was an unexpected surprise to be linked back to.

By: Mr. Cheap

Mr. Cheap — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:46:26 +0000

Dylan: I agree with Jesse, I think that would be a great response (and if you had to repeat it, I agree that it says something big about the hiring manager).

Jesse: Good idea for a post! Thanks for your kind words.

By: jesse

jesse — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:32:34 +0000

Dylan, that’s a good one. We often forget what answers employees get from management on confidential or sensitive issues. Often it’s an answer that doesn’t have any numbers attached and full of carefully worded but meaningful statements. Your statement is, in the business world parlance, a way of saying, “None of your business. I am at a huge disadvantage if I tell you, and you know it. In order to keep things fair we should not see each other’s cards.” If they keep pressing you, repeat verbatim your previous sentence. That is, in the business world, a way of saying they aren’t getting what they’re asking for and if they don’t pick that up, they’re probably going to be difficult to work with or they don’t have much experience in negotiations; both bad signs from your POV.

Listen to your company’s CEO when she/he answers a prickly question. When dealing with prickly questions, speak their language answer them in the same way. People often think that employers will get upset you’re not answering the question but, actually, if you are to be a liaison doing business deals, however small, on their behalf, the last thing they want is someone who caves so a simple negotiation tactic.

When you avoid direct questions, the employer may look annoyed but keep it positive and express interest in working for the company and demonstrate how you have always had a company’s interests at heart when performing your past jobs.

Mr. Cheap, you should do a posting on the “language of business” or something about how to read certain statements from management. It can be of huge help when people are doing business negotiations like determining starting salary. I’m sure you have some personal examples of what was said and what was really meant.

Love the blog.