This problem is extra hard in my side of EU. In here, talking about one’s pay is somehow considered a big taboo so no one talks and many get underpaid. The key

This problem is extra hard in my side of EU. In here, talking about one’s pay is somehow considered a big taboo so no one talks and many get underpaid. The key to the game is always negotiate higher number in the beginning or go to one of the employers using union(e.g. IG Metall) which might not have a position you want. This is usually very prevalent in startups and they can cite their size and budget and continue underpaying someone. Usually, unless your employer has a formal open scale or was part of Union tariff, knowing who was being paid what is nearly impossible.