PINOY STREETJOB: What to Do When Asked About Your Salary History

"Should you tell them your current or previous remuneration package when the hiring manager asks for salary history?"

All job seekers at some point are likely to be asked for their salary history. The employer or the hiring manager may put questions on you like - 'how much you are drawing from your current position? Or how much did you make in your last job?' such questions put you on a dilemma whether to answer or not. Should you tell them your current or previous remuneration package when the hiring manager asks for salary history? Are there some ways to avoid such telling or is it better to tell them? Such questions bring in a mind blockade and you cannot think at that moment. So, it's better to prepare before hand on what to do when asked about your salary history.

While you get prepared to answer such questions try to understand the employer's reasons for asking it. Most employers tend to use such questions on past salary as a gauge to determine your market value and read your mind as what you wish. They want to sense what salary you would be expecting from them and whether they would be able to pay you that much or not. At times it is better to disclose the salary to save wastage of time. If the employer finds it more than what he could pay for the position it is better to end the discussion and move ahead.

But the question is, should one disclose his or her salary when asked for salary history or should one try to find out what the employer is capable of paying? No doubt the information provided by your salary history gives the employer an insight into your mind. It is something like paying a poker game where you would be showing your cards but the employer would show none. So play your cards right! For that reason many experts ask job seekers not to disclose immediately salary history in an interview or provide them in written on their resume.

If you fill an application form for a job, leave the space of salary history blank and write something like - salary history confidential and will be revealed in the interview. If the employer is really interested he will call you for an interview and negotiate over it. And once you are into a dialogue, put the ball in the employer's court. Instead of disclosing your current or previous salary mark, ask the hiring manager what the company expects to pay for the position you have applied for. Such way you don't disclose your salary and at the same time learn the range of their expectations. If the amount is reliable and what you anticipated, you can disclose your past salary history to your hiring manager.

But this strategy may have some pitfalls too. Some employers may not call for an interview but focus on applicants who disclose their salary. But at once if you feel that you should reveal your salary history be honest and tell the truth. Because employers may verify your statement and it is always better to tell them the truth. Honesty always pays!