Are companies really requesting salary histories? 5

[Lion06]

Because of some personal issues, I've been looking for employment in a different geographical region. I haven't sent out any resumes yet, but I've noticed that every website I visit asks for salary history to be included with your resume. Is this common? This was not true when I was looking for a job after graduation 5 years ago.

I don't have too much of a problem providing that information, but I honestly feel like it's kind of irrelevant. Honestly, if I were to be offered what I'm making now or 5% more, I feel like we'd be getting off on the wrong foot when I pretty much tell them to pound sand by actually saying that my current salary is not a reflection of the value I bring to my employer, but more of a reflection of the economy as a whole. I would also say that I really have no interest in them basing their salary offer on my current salary, but would think it should be in line with their needs; the value, technical knowledge and ability, and work ethic, I bring with me; and what the going rate is for someone with my experience level (not that it's that much, but I'm not a fresh grad). I just feel like that's really starting the relationship off on the wrong foot.

Any opinions?

 

[Twoballcane]

By refusing to share your salary, you are really making your options less (didn’t we already discuss this topic before?). In today's market, this is not a good plan. You can always negotiate once you get the offer, if they don't meet "your" standards, then you can tell them to pound sand. These days’ companies are even doing credit checks on their candidates. While you are jumping up and down about this, others are passing you by and getting the jobs.



Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[corus]

Salary is a personal matter. In fact most companies I've worked for didn't like their wage donkeys discussing salaries with each other as it caused resentment, and even mutiny in the ranks. Why they should then ask some stranger, who's applied for a job, to divulge their personal financial situation to them beats me.

Do your future overseer a favour and keep your personal information to yourself, unless it's related to your future servitude. The only question worth answering is how much you want for the job.

ex-corus (semi-detached)

 

[Latexman]

Do these websites give the salary range of the available position? An exchange of salary information would be more equitable than just giving your salary history, but I doubt they offer this.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[ewh]

Wow, according to many of these posts, I shouldn't have ever been employed, as I am of the opinion that what I have earned in the past is irrelevant to positions in the future. Maybe this is because of job-shopping so many years, but the rule of thumb I follow is that the employer will pay whatever it is worth to them to adequately fill the position. It is then up to me to accept, reject or counter-offer. Apparently, I really shouldn't be working with an attitude like that.

"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]

 

[cksh]

I have no problem telling them what I currently make, as long as I would be happy making another few k on top of it. Most employers these days are going to offer you ~5% more than your current salary. I have been offered more, but I think I got lucky.

I avoid any salary questions unless they just won't let it drop. I remember putting my current salary on an application. The hiring manager brought me in for an interview, and towards the end of the interview told me that it was more than the position was paying. My jaw dropped. Thanks for wasting my time.

I have always tried to get 15 to 20% more at a new job. You will certainly have to wait close to two years (depending on when you were hired) before getting a raise. And most places might only give you 2 or 3% anyways so it is good to get that money up front.

I have always provided a salary history if the ad asks for one, but it is rare, at least in my experience, that it is required. But again, it depends how much I want to make.

 

[Noway2]

Salary is also highly tied to geographical area. For example, I am currently employed in a location that has a cost of living that is about 10%-12% higher than my last employer. My salary in this location is higher as a result.

I would really like to return to my previous location. While a prospective employer may be interested in my current salary, the raw value doesn't equate to the same type or level of position in that area. I could, in fact, accept a considerably lower salary and be still better off financially.

 

[Waidesworld]

I was told by an insider what to ask for in a job and also gave them some of my salary history. However, when I was in the third interview the salary question came up and the company promptly told me they were looking for someone who would be making about 60% of what I was asking for. What annoyed me was the fact it was the third interview and I had wasted all this time on this company. I'd love to say what I told them to do but in reality, I suggested that they contact me in case a different position came up, which it did down the road. Unfortunately I didn't get that job...and I'd have taken it. It was a progressive company and not too long after all that they were bought out by a multinational and all the share options paid big to the employees. Ah well..

drawn to design, designed to draw

 

[plasgears]

Fortunately, I had two offers lined up after being between jobs. They both offered the same because they knew my prior salary. One was in the Chicago area, and the other on Long Island. The latter offer should have been adjusted much higher for the NYC megalopolis. The guy was sorely disappointed when I turned it down.

I never refused to give prior earnings, but it can have a depressing effect on offers. Do we need to inflate the truth?

 

[Lion06]

I asked my wife about this. She's one of those HR weasels (though it's not her only function - she's in charge of HR, physical plant, andmaintenance, she's also a SPHR, which is the HR equivalent of a PE).

I asked her because someone mentioned above that it's illegal for a prospective employer to verify your salary with a current employer. She said that is only true to an extent. Once you give a prospective employer permission to contact your current (or last employer), your salary is fair game.

Not that I would lie about it anyway, but that should take fluffing it up off the table for anyone. That's surely the quickest way to not be considered for the job. She did also say, however, that they have never asked a current (or previous) employer for salary information.

Maybe it's just me, but I find it a bit distasteful that they would ask you for your salary history (not requirements), but not provide a salary range for the position. After all, if it's about weeding out people who are going to be too expensive, why not show a little courtesy and not have people waste time on a position in which the upper end of the salary range doesn't meet their requirements?

 

[Twoballcane]

It all comes down to leverage. If you are unemployed, you have no leverage at all. If your employed, you have leverage to play with. Fortunately in the past when job hunting, I was employed and at the top of my game (knock on wood). At the end of most interviews I've been asked the questions what are you making now and what are you expecting. I tell them I make blah blah, but lets talk more on this once an offer is in hand. Once the offer is in hand with said salary (usally 5% to 10%), I'll tell them I will not sign up unless it is 20% or more. I had HR balk at this, but once it went thru the hiring manager who knows what he's buying, would sign off if they really needed my skill set. Sure I had been dropped by others, but the flight, hotel, and diner was sure worth my time and I'm still working for then current company.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[kepharda]

I have a little background with this issue I will share.

I applied for a job a few years ago and during the interview they asked me the range of salary I was looking for.

I don't remeber exactly what I said, but I think it was 70-75k. This was more than I made at the time (which I didn't tell them) but I also explained that it would depend on the entire compensation package to include vacation/holiday pay, insurance costs etc.

They felt I was too expensive and hired someone else. I know this is the case because I called back and this is what the HR guy told me.

No harm done I took another job. Fast forward a year and we hired a new engineer, he was the guy that this other company had hired. Turns out he wasn't very good and my company let him go too, but not a month after this guy started with us, I got an email from the mystery company.

Truth be told they probably could have had me for less than 70k at the time, but they didn't make an offer at all and just hired the cheap guy and it didn't work out. I am glad they didn't because getting the right person is much more important that a couple thousand dollars IMHO and I don't want to work for someone that doesn't already know that.

If there is ever any question, the fuller beer is mine.

 

[MechEng2005]

I generally leave it previous salary blank on any application. If they ask later or during an interview, I try to turn the question around and ask what they are offering by saying something along the lines of, "Well, I would be willing to consider any offer that was competitive in terms of salary, insurance, paid vacation and holidays, flex-time availability, and other benefits. If you can put together an offer that includes the entire package, I would be happy to get back to you."

-- MechEng2005

 

[TDAA]

Similar to what others have mentioned, I have always put my requirements as negotiable, based on the overall compensation package. Money is one thing, but there is a lot to negotiate with when it comes to time off, for example. The overall scope of your proposed work, and how you feel about it, or what you think of living in a certain area (and also the cost of living there).

When asked for what I would want, I deflect with "I am assessing my needs, and feel it is a portion of the total benefits package. Do you have a salary range in mind for the position?"

 

[apsix]

My story.
All's looking good, two interviews, promises that a written offer was coming, then they asked via email what my current salary was.
I emailed back that it was irrelevant, but this is what I'm expecting to get from you.
And that's the end of our communication, they never got back to me.

I guess you've got to pick your battles. I ended up with a 20% increase with my current employer so it wasn't a big loss.

 

[GregLocock]

"If you are unemployed, you have no leverage at all."

I disagree. You have as much leverage as you are prepared to push for. The only time I was unemployed I ended up taking a very enjoyable job for about a 30% pay rise.





Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[shadow401]

"If you are unemployed, you have no leverage at all."

Depending on your field and market conditions, I agree with you. My experience is in Land Development. Everyone I interviewed with was very interested with the length of time that I have been unemployed for which I believe they used to determine the amount of leverage they have. My last job offer was for 20% less then I was previously making. When I tried to negotiate even a little, I was told that their offer is still more then unemployment pays and that I should be happy having any job. I start next Monday.

 

[Lion06]

shadow-

That sucks. Talk about being taken advantage of. I hope you keep looking and jump ship when you get a reasonable offer. To actually say, "It's more than unemployment".......... could they be any more explicit in taking advantage of you? That pisses me off for you!!!

 

[TDAA]

My current boss knew I was unemployed, knew exactly what I was making before that, and hired me on 11% more at the start, and that will go up to 20% more in a few months (after a year). This was also knowing that the previous company had implemented 20%, "temporary", pay cuts.

 

[KirbyWan]

When you get a lowball offer like that the only logical arguement you have is "Do you want me to work for you only until I find a better job, Or do you want me to work for you for several years?" I say it's a logical arguement because I think if I were in the same position I'd bite my lip and take the job, and continue looking for someone who understands how the big picture affects the bottom line and not some shortsighted SOB. Logical arguements are not worth much when you need a job.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[berkshire]

Remember that one of the euphemisms for wants too much money is "Overqualified ", I used to run into that one when I worked as a job shopper for several years. Usually at a rate that was about double that of the regular employees.
Under those circumstances the employer was very anxious for you not, to let other employees know, even remotely, what you were making. It is interesting that it does not work the other way around. When you tell the employer it is none of his business, you usually end up not getting the job.

I freely admit that as an employer I used the same tactics of under offering and salary selection to get what I thought were the best qualified people at the best rate for me. If the guy/gal is decent you can always give more, it is a bit difficult when they start at the top of the pay range and you find you are not making money off them. Right now the job market is slack and employers have easy pickings. It is a good time to note which companies treat employees right, and which ones are obnoxious, because now they will be at their worst. However the pendulum swings both ways.
B.E.