We know we should never reveal what what our old salary was - it can be negotiation suicide if you do - but how can we avoid giving it away if asked?
It is a bad idea to discuss salary early in the hiring process. However if it comes up, do not get yourself caught in a lie.
Consider the following if you are pressured for your salary history when you aren't comfortable with it:
1) State that you'd rather not answer that question because your previous salary is not terribly relevant to the current job you're applying to. You'd rather be paid commensurate with the market and within the companies standard guidelines for the role and responsibility.
2) If the employer insists you mention your previous salary, mention with the total value of your salary package. Also, restate that it is not the same company you will be working for, and so your past salary is not related. There are so many factors including lifestyle, vacation, time in lieu of pay and other things that also factor in.
3) When you go in for an interview you should be armed with knowledge of the current market. You should know your level of skill and professionalism and knowing your local job market you should be able to command the price you expect. You need to do your research, and be realistic about whether you are superstar talent or just high performing.
4) Regardless of whether or not you were earning at or below or even above the market average for your career, your past salary is not relevant. You may have had any number of reasons for working below market in the past, but what is important now is that you earn current market rates for the work you do. Your past doesn't explain your worth as a resource to the new employer.
5) If you do talk about your salary history make sure to mention that you expect to be paid the current fair market rate for the job listing, and explain what you know about salaries in your field at the time. Many employers will respect you for standing up for what you deserve. Just remember negotiating is a professional situation and remember to be firm in your stance but respectful with the employer.
Do not lie in your interview. The employer has ways to detect what you really earned, either through asking you to produce a pay stub, or asking if they can confirm it with your previous employer. Remember, the value you bring is the value you bring, and that is the bottom line if the employer wants to hire you.
It is a bad idea to discuss salary early in the hiring process. However if it comes up, do not get yourself caught in a lie.
Consider the following if you are pressured for your salary history when you aren't comfortable with it:
1) State that you'd rather not answer that question because your previous salary is not terribly relevant to the current job you're applying to. You'd rather be paid commensurate with the market and within the companies standard guidelines for the role and responsibility.
2) If the employer insists you mention your previous salary, mention with the total value of your salary package. Also, restate that it is not the same company you will be working for, and so your past salary is not related. There are so many factors including lifestyle, vacation, time in lieu of pay and other things that also factor in.
3) When you go in for an interview you should be armed with knowledge of the current market. You should know your level of skill and professionalism and knowing your local job market you should be able to command the price you expect. You need to do your research, and be realistic about whether you are superstar talent or just high performing.
4) Regardless of whether or not you were earning at or below or even above the market average for your career, your past salary is not relevant. You may have had any number of reasons for working below market in the past, but what is important now is that you earn current market rates for the work you do. Your past doesn't explain your worth as a resource to the new employer.
5) If you do talk about your salary history make sure to mention that you expect to be paid the current fair market rate for the job listing, and explain what you know about salaries in your field at the time. Many employers will respect you for standing up for what you deserve. Just remember negotiating is a professional situation and remember to be firm in your stance but respectful with the employer.
Do not lie in your interview. The employer has ways to detect what you really earned, either through asking you to produce a pay stub, or asking if they can confirm it with your previous employer. Remember, the value you bring is the value you bring, and that is the bottom line if the employer wants to hire you.
About the Author:
Trevor Davide Grant is a IT manager in the IT field and has extensive experience in salary negotiation. Trevor has worked for global telecom, power utililties, software consulting, and a prevalent social network. He has learned how to negotiate a salary in the most powerfulway. Learn great tactics on the topic of salary negotiating at www.HowToNegotiateASalary.com.
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