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> (Most important takeaway about salary negotiation, by the way: disclosing a previous salary is almost always against your interests because it pegs your new s

> (Most important takeaway about salary negotiation, by the way: disclosing a previous salary is almost always against your interests because it pegs your new salary to that plus 5% rather than your value to the new firm minus a discount, which is a brutal mistake, particularly in the years of your career where natural growth in capabilities/experience/the market/etc causes you to bring vastly more to the table with each new job.) This is terrible advice. If a prospective employer asks how much you are making, respond with your desired salary at minimum. If they are serious, the negotiation point will be that plus whatever raise you claim to be looking for. If they want paystubs, you seriously don't want to work for them, because no professional should suffer that indignity and they're probably turning away great people as it is. I've only had one company ever ask for paystubs in my career and I got a weird vibe from them early on anyway.

tptacek 12y ago
If you tell HR "I won't tell you what I made last job, but I'll tell you what I want to make", then you're basically following most of Patrick's advice. If you can lie convincingly, lying might be an effective negotiating strategy. Lying convincingly here generally involves you knowing as much about the job market as employers do, though, and that tends not to be the case: employers talk to 10 people for every 1 hire they make, and so they get a pretty good snapshot not just of the field at large, but of what other people at your current firm make. Lying unconvincingly is a very poor strategy. It broadcasts both naivete and insecurity to your counterparty, both of which are exploitable characteristics.
- radicalbyte 12y ago
  In the current market you don't need to lie: just get multiple offers. Also, you can use recruiters to your advantage. Give them much higher salary demands (i.e. 20-50% higher than your current wage). They'll come back to you if they find someone willing to pay. If they question you, then the reason you're expensive is your specialist skill-set.
nemo44x 12y ago
Exactly right. Who would ever tell a prospective employer what they are really making? I'd agree you should tell them a number close to what you expect to make if you switch companies. You'll possibly get an offer that exceeds you original goals. It's important to go into these things prepared and well researched.

tptacek 12y ago

If you tell HR "I won't tell you what I made last job, but I'll tell you what I want to make", then you're basically following most of Patrick's advice. If you can lie convincingly, lying might be an effective negotiating strategy. Lying convincingly here generally involves you knowing as much about the job market as employers do, though, and that tends not to be the case: employers talk to 10 people for every 1 hire they make, and so they get a pretty good snapshot not just of the field at large, but of what other people at your current firm make. Lying unconvincingly is a very poor strategy. It broadcasts both naivete and insecurity to your counterparty, both of which are exploitable characteristics.

radicalbyte 12y ago
In the current market you don't need to lie: just get multiple offers. Also, you can use recruiters to your advantage. Give them much higher salary demands (i.e. 20-50% higher than your current wage). They'll come back to you if they find someone willing to pay. If they question you, then the reason you're expensive is your specialist skill-set.

nemo44x 12y ago

Exactly right. Who would ever tell a prospective employer what they are really making? I'd agree you should tell them a number close to what you expect to make if you switch companies. You'll possibly get an offer that exceeds you original goals. It's important to go into these things prepared and well researched.