You’re absolutely right – disclosing your current salary is often a tricky and potentially disadvantageous request, and in many places, it’s even illegal for an employer to ask about your past salary. The good news is, you don’t *have* to answer it directly, and there are professional ways to navigate this question.
Here’s what experts recommend you do if asked for your current salary during a job interview:
### Why Employers Ask (and Why It’s Problematic for You)
**Why they ask:**
* **Screening:** To ensure your expectations align with their budget.
* **Benchmarking:** To gauge what similar candidates earn or to help set internal pay scales.
* **Cost-saving:** To potentially offer you slightly more than your current salary, rather than your actual market value.
**Why it’s problematic for you:**
* **Lowballing:** If your current salary is lower than the market rate for the new position, they might offer you less than you’re worth.
* **Perpetuating Pay Gaps:** If you’ve historically been underpaid (due to gender, race, or previous poor negotiation), disclosing your current salary can carry that disadvantage forward.
* **Focus on Past vs. Future Value:** Your past earnings don’t necessarily reflect the value you’d bring to this new role or the market rate for it.
### Legal Considerations
It’s crucial to be aware that **several states and cities have laws prohibiting employers from asking about a candidate’s past salary history.** This includes places like California, New York City, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, and many others. These laws generally aim to combat wage inequality.
While they can’t ask about *past* salary, they *can* generally ask about your *salary expectations* for the role you’re applying for.
### What You Should Do
The goal is to pivot the conversation from your past earnings to your future value and salary expectations for the *new* role.
**1. Do Your Research (Crucial!):**
Before any interview, research the market rate for the specific role you’re applying for, in your location, and with your level of experience.
* **Use sites like:** Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Salary.com, Robert Half Salary Guide, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
* **Look for:** A realistic salary range. This will empower you to state your expectations confidently.
* **Consider the entire compensation package:** Benefits, bonuses, equity, PTO, etc.
**2. Prepare Your Response (Practice!):**
Have a few go-to phrases ready. Your response should be professional, polite, and firm.
**3. Focus on Your *Salary Expectations*, Not Past Earnings:**
This is the core shift. Frame your answer around what you expect to earn in *this* role, at *this* company, based on your skills and market value.
**4. Reframe the Question:**
Politely redirect the conversation.
### Example Responses:
Here are several ways you can respond, depending on the situation:
* **The Direct, Market-Value Approach:**
> “While I prefer not to disclose my current salary, I’ve thoroughly researched the market rate for a role of this scope and responsibility. Given my experience and skills, I’m seeking a compensation package in the range of [X-Y], which aligns with my market value for this position.”
* **Emphasizing Value & Future (without a range yet):**
> “My compensation expectations are aligned with the market value for a position like this, and I’m confident that my skills and experience will bring significant value to this role. I’m looking for a compensation package that reflects that.” (Be prepared to give a range if pressed.)
* **Delaying & Asking for Their Range First:**
> “I’m looking for a compensation package that reflects my skills and experience, and I’m confident we can find a mutually agreeable figure as we move forward. Could you share the typical salary range you’ve budgeted for this position?”
> *(This is often a good strategy to get them to reveal their hand first.)*
* **If You’re in a Location with a Salary History Ban:**
> “In [City/State], employers are prohibited from asking about past salary history. However, I’m happy to discuss my salary expectations for this role, which are in the range of [X-Y] based on my research and experience.”
* **If They Press You Further:**
> “As I mentioned, I’m more focused on the market value for this specific role and the overall compensation package. My goal is to find a role where my contributions are valued appropriately, which I believe falls within the [X-Y] range.”
> *(Don’t be afraid to politely reiterate your stance.)*
### Key Takeaways:
* **Be Prepared:** Research is your best friend.
* **Be Confident:** You are in a negotiation, not an interrogation.
* **Be Professional:** Maintain a polite and respectful tone.
* **Focus on the Future:** Emphasize your expectations for *this* role, not your past earnings.
* **Know Your Worth:** Don’t let a past salary define your future earning potential.
By preparing for this question, you can professionally navigate it and ensure you’re positioning yourself for fair compensation based on your skills and market value.
