providing salary history with job application

[Anonymous]

I'm applying for a job that requests you provide a resume, cover letter, and salary history when submitting your job application. I really don't want to provide my salary history. I work at a non-profit and am woefully underpaid for what I do, which is the main reason I'm looking for another job. I feel I will be in a poor negotiating position if I provide this information. Is it a really bad move not to do so when they've clearly requested it? Otherwise, I think I am a very strong candidate for the job.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, your current salary is your own business. The only one that benefits from you disclosing that information is your potential new employer, who will know what's an improvement of your salary and will probably be unwilling to go over a certain percent of your current salary. You're are just giving them negotiating information. I would not release your current salary. If they press you, you should simply punt. Let them come up with a number based on what you mean to them, not what you are making in your current job. (PS: I once made the poor choice of releasing my old salary to a potential new employer who completely used it against me during salary negotiations to say "see, we're offering X% over your past salary, you should be happy!").

[Anonymous]

I think it's pretty common to provide your current salary but there is also generally a place to write desired salary. If you're applying to a large company they probably have a salary band for the position - I know mine does - and we've offered 20%+ increases to qualified candidates to get them into the band. I would imagine any position that doesn't ask as part of the initial online application will ask if you're selected for interview. And I think there are ways to negotiate if you can find out the market rate for the position.

On the other hand, we also have government contracts that limit the increase you can offer someone to 5% without special approval - and some Agreement Officers flat out refuse to approve any increases above that, but I personally would mention any crazy award restrictions in the first interview. But not disclosing your salary history isn't an option for those positions - you sign a govt form attesting to the salary history as part of your complete application.

So I think it depends what type of job you're applying for, but I would probably just disclose unless it really seems like an optional part of the application. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's pretty common to provide your current salary but there is also generally a place to write desired salary. If you're applying to a large company they probably have a salary band for the position - I know mine does - and we've offered 20%+ increases to qualified candidates to get them into the band. I would imagine any position that doesn't ask as part of the initial online application will ask if you're selected for interview. And I think there are ways to negotiate if you can find out the market rate for the position.

On the other hand, we also have government contracts that limit the increase you can offer someone to 5% without special approval - and some Agreement Officers flat out refuse to approve any increases above that, but I personally would mention any crazy award restrictions in the first interview. But not disclosing your salary history isn't an option for those positions - you sign a govt form attesting to the salary history as part of your complete application.

So I think it depends what type of job you're applying for, but I would probably just disclose unless it really seems like an optional part of the application. Good luck!

With all due respect, just because "it's pretty common" does not mean it is a good idea. This will weaken your negotiation stance.

[Anonymous]

I didn't write down my prior salary history to get my current job. There's no rule that says you have to tell people that. Plus it's a great way to ensure a minimal increase from your current salary.

[Anonymous]

I've run into this when applying for a job online and the information (current and/or required salary) is required to submit the application. In most cases, the fields won't accept anything but numeric values, so I've provided the information.

[Anonymous]

If you don't know the salary, it's not a bad idea to provide a salary range up front. (Because I've been a top pick for jobs but once I found out what the salary was, it was a job I would not have necessarily applied for in the first place. Saves wasting everyone's time.)

I was just asked for salary history after submitting an application; I said something like "my salary requirements are negotiable based on the entire package of salary and benefits, but I would be looking for something in the range of XX-XX, depending upon the total compensation package."

Didn't mention current salary.

[Anonymous]

What if you've been out of work for while? (20% over $0 is $0)

[Anonymous]

Just lie

[Anonymous]

Just an additional aspect I've been mulling, as I'm trying to negotiate right now and it's keeping me up at night. I'm horrendously underpaid and if I am trying to double my salary. A tip I got when they are pressuring you to give a number for what you want is to give an incredible range with you preferred salary at the bottom. So I would say, "well, market range for a job like this is big--anywhere between $130-230 so I'd really have to understand the whole package offer."

Idk what others do--how do you avoid putting out the first number?

[Anonymous]

Same boat here. Salary required in the online application. It won't submit without it. So annoying!

[Anonymous]

Would it be crazy to put my salary plus 1/3 since that's what hr told me my benefits (including a retirement match of 10 percent of my salary) are worth? Or should I just put salary plus 10 percent to cover that contribution?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just lie

Calling a prior employer can verify past salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would it be crazy to put my salary plus 1/3 since that's what hr told me my benefits (including a retirement match of 10 percent of my salary) are worth? Or should I just put salary plus 10 percent to cover that contribution?

Are you anticipating that the new position won't have benefits? If it's a contract position, that's reasonable; but if it's a regular salaried job with benefits, they will think you want that amount in salary, and you may well price yourself out of their range, in which case they won't consider your application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it be crazy to put my salary plus 1/3 since that's what hr told me my benefits (including a retirement match of 10 percent of my salary) are worth? Or should I just put salary plus 10 percent to cover that contribution?

Are you anticipating that the new position won't have benefits? If it's a contract position, that's reasonable; but if it's a regular salaried job with benefits, they will think you want that amount in salary, and you may well price yourself out of their range, in which case they won't consider your application.

I think it will have benefits but not the 10 percent on top for retirement.