[Off The Reservation]

I haven't had a job in ten years. But twice I was asked to interview for serious positions. On both occasions I when asked what my salary expectations were I said, "You must have already set a budget for this position. What is that budget or range? I will let you know if I would consider that once you let me have that information and a written job description." Another one wanted a sort of client list (I am keeping the story simple). I responded that I am known in the industry and if they had not done their research and were not specifically targeting me for the position I would not interview. I refuse to fill in the humdrum day of HR managers who are hiring way out of their league. In both cases I carried on my merry way possibly making 4 times what they would have tried to offer and neither wasted time with the interview nor let the industry think I was looking for a job.

But I have staying power because I do not "need" a job. If you are working as you say 30% underpaid then you have no staying power and they know you "need" the job.

When I hire people if I see the slightest hint of BS I immediately ask for a pay stub to show me ytd. (Funny how many people who claim to make 80K will have a ytd on July 1 of $19000) or a transcript if the bs is around education.

[RatInTheWoods]

I agree with earlier post about never revealing your current pay, based on privacy and commercial in confidence considerations.

You should have done your research and know what the salary band is for the job you are going for, and the ability of the company to pay high or low in that band.

It's always better to get the other party to name a price, or range first in a negotiation, just in case the gap is huge in your favor!

I am self employed, I can ask whatever I want to get paid, it's just the choice of my customers whether or not to pay it for me.

[RaulValdez739]

Thankfully NYC has a new law regarding this subject.

http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/...ory-job#/0

[Peregrine]

Going to echo what others are saying: it's your job to know what the pay range is for your job, aka your market value. Then, it's a game of poker. Best case scenario, you figure out they're desperate to fill the spot and you're juggling multiple offers. All of a sudden, you're getting paid way above your usual market value.

[Tigre]

If I found myself in that situation?

I'd mention that "5% above current salary" principle with someone else who is involved in my hiring (not the HR person). Ask them to confirm if that's the policy or not.

If they confirm it, and that would put me way below market rate, I'd respond that I wasn't interested to schedule another interview because of that policy.

If I could get them to state that it's definitely not their policy, I would schedule the next interview.

[Gent001]

From what I think by common sense, that you should not disclose your current salary.

If company X is thinking of paying you 2k and you come up with your current salary of 1k, you actually just shot yourself in the foot. Look at it this way, if a generic brand cost way less than the original brand and less than the price in your head, then the general thought will be its not worth it, or it has some defect. During every interview/negotiation you are looked at as a generic brand until proven otherwise.

However, from my experience (in Belgium) didnt go as further as the first interview and stopped at their question about my current salary. I never disclose. If no second interview follows it either means: they are just testing waters to adjust their company salary to other companies, second, you can still keep your current salary (in case you were overpaid).

Either way you come out winning.

[monsquid]

Do you always try to negotiate up the first salary offer the recruiter gives? I just started a new job and I took the first offer that was made by the recruiter because I felt it was fair based on industry averages and what I was bringing to the table. But thinking back on it I'm not sure if I could've gotten 5% more out of it. This is a low six figure salaried position.