Tell them that the exact terms and projects of your former employment are confidential to that employer and you're not at liberty to discuss details. When they

Tell them that the exact terms and projects of your former employment are confidential to that employer and you're not at liberty to discuss details. When they push back and say they HAVE to know your previous salary, you can tell them your compensation range over the last five years was [$X , $Y] where X is the highest base salary you got in the past 5 years and Y is your highest total compensation during that time. Total compensation is your salary + the sum of all the cash you would have to pay to replicate all the perks of your current job (401k matching, Covered parking at the office, Coffee, Office supplies, ... everything you can think of) This gives them a range of numbers (which they're looking for) that are the most favorable to you.