Two ways to answer the "current salary" question - say that your salary expectations depend on the work, the people, the work hours, vacation policy, etc, so i

Two ways to answer the "current salary" question - say that your salary expectations depend on the work, the people, the work hours, vacation policy, etc, so it's too early to discuss salary, or - ask what the company pays people in the same position. They won't tell you, but that establishes concretely that it's private information. If they do share the information with you, you can respond with "my expectations are higher", or "that's within my expectations". And then if they persist in asking yours, you can choose to answer or to stonewall. You got the data, so now the mystery is over and you have control of the conversation. This comes across weak, phony, and panderish: > I think the best way to answer the current salary part is to say something, like that you’re not comfortable sharing that information, and you prefer to focus on the value that you can add to the company, and not what you’re paid at your current job This sounds clownish, like playing a game: > “Well, if you’re trying to qualify me for a range, why don’t you tell me the range, and I’ll tell you if I’m in the ballpark?” This sounds wonky and comes across as an insincere: > “I’ve been entrusted with a variety of information by my current firm. I intend to keep their confidences on that sort of thing. They consider their salary compensation private.