Annoyed at salary history question...

Why do employers ask this? What does it matter what you made before? They have a range in mind for an opening and if you meet the required skill-set, experience, and education, why should your previous salary have any play in it?

I was recently searching for a new opportunity and interviewed with two different companies -- one (which offered me the position and I accepted) and the other (IBM). Both companies asked me what I previously made and what my salary requirements were.

I can understand the salary requirements -- they want to see if your expectations meet their budget; though that should be all they need!

The IBM interviewer made some comment that SOME people he's interviewed have these ridiculous salary expectation where they'd like to make 30% more than their last salary... My thought... If the market rate for this role is 30+ percent, they are absolutely on track requesting to get paid it. This comment really pissed me off.

I've also had people in forums review my qualifications and tell me that if everything is factual, I'm basically screwed if I move to a high COL area because my "extremely low" COL salary (lets say 65-75) is WELL below what my skillset would pay in a higher COL area. They basically said I would be damned by my 'low' salary. That's a scary thought, I've only been in the workforce out of school 4 years!

However, there is hope. The position I accepted offered me a 20% bump w/o having to negotiate, and I had managed a 65% bump over the position before that (my first full-time job). Also, a friend of mine successfully went from low 40s to low 80s in a job hop where they requested salary history. This may be a rarity though as I'm CONFIDENT many companies will use this information to low-ball you. Makes me sick.

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Comments

Raystafarian

I just say I'm unwilling to discuss salary history. My last two positions (including current) have been public record.

PsychoFin

The countries that I have worked in here in Europe have had it pretty common that you'll have to provide your expectations, but I've never heard of telling a prospective employer about your previous salary. That sounds absolutely nuts.

I have had no problems with telling head hunters about my previous and current salaries but I've always also told them my expectations and never had any offers below my minimum. However there is no way a prospective employer will get to hear anything other than my minimum. They have no business knowing.

Here in Sweden it is very common to provide your social security number all over the place though. I'm not sure I like that development much...

JDMurray

Realize that there is no legal or regulatory requirement (in the USA) for job candidates to provide their salary history. This is an attempt not to place a new employee much higher in the job's salary range than they were previously making at their previous job. This saves departmental budget, leaves room for the employee's salary growth (raises), and allows employees to be happier in their new job by making more money than their previous job.

Of course, an employer can refuse to hire you if you don't provide your salary history too. I only provide my minimal salary expectations and ask the salary range for the job classification, and the HR person usually tells me.

N2IT

Priston wrote: »

I love it when companies require you to tell them your previous salary, then make you sign an agreement saying you won't tell anyone your salary.

Oh my goodness this is right on the money. It's their job to provide the range they are the ones offering the position not the other way around. To avoid overhead first do a phone screening capturing salary requirements, it's that simple. This strategy is so they don't get worked over. It's really simple know the market know the going rate for that position and announce the salary range. Very simple and to the point. Much more professional than asking what did you make. If management found that you were announcing your salary to your peers you would be looked down on maybe terminated. Pot meet Kettle

jibbajabba

Tricky situation though isn't it. In my cases the conversation was pretty much over every time I refuse to reveal my current salary. Every time it is a mix between standing my ground and maybe losing out.

-hype

gorebrush wrote: »

One recruiter has tried to tell me that if I go back to day work (I work shifts) then I would have to drop to 37-42K. I earn 44K now. So why should I move jobs?

Though, this all becomes moot after I've passed CCIE.

Woah you only make 44k with those credentials? :O

Man you gotta push that resume out, NOW!

ratbuddy

Seconded, he should be around 50-65k. Don't forget the dollar/pound conversion.