4 ms·

But how ? What is the appropriate response to be given when a recruiter presses you for this information and mention that they cannot move forward without it be

But how ? What is the appropriate response to be given when a recruiter presses you for this information and mention that they cannot move forward without it being given. I am earning at least 30 % lower than median pay (based on glassdoor information), more like 11 percentile in my category. I try to quote a figure that is 20 % higher than what i get in case the recruiter presses me but i really do not know what is the right way.

grub5000 12y ago
I would just say "I have a policy of not disclosing current salary information" and if they refuse to move ahead without it, just call it off.
bsdpython 12y ago
Tell them what you want to make. If the press, just say that your current role isn't directly related to the new one so that it doesn't make sense to compare. If they still press then just lie I guess. Or don't use recruiters.
- moron4hire 12y ago
  >> Or don't use recruiters Recruiters really are a terrible way to get a job. I've never gotten a job I liked or what I thought was a fair salary when I've used a recruiter. Recruiters, used car salesmen, and telemarketers: if they were better people, they'd have better jobs.
  - issa 12y ago
    I don't like being in a position to defend the above professions, but that's a really horrible way to look at people. I'm sure you were somewhat joking, but still. Everyone has a story and you can't always guess what it is.
    - moron4hire 12y ago
      I would see your point if they didn't all use the same high-pressure sales tactics. Good people have ethics in what they do, regardless of what their job is. I don't overpromise and then nickle-and-dime my clients on support issues with my freelance work, even though freelancers have that reputation. I've yet to see a recruiter grow a spine and not use manipulation to place people in jobs they may not want just to keep their close rate up.
      - issa 12y ago
        Well, you pretty much just summed it up. You differ from the stereotype of Freelancers, but you can't imagine that some recruiters differ from the stereotypes you have of that profession.
      - lkiernan 11y ago
        "I'm sorry, I don't think I'd like that job. Thanks for your time."
  - mdpopescu 12y ago
    I got my best job so far through external recruiters. Mileages vary :)
- late2part 12y ago
  Don't lie. It's not nice, it's not ethical, and you could be fired in the future if/when they find out. Tell them what you want to make, and I agree with you that you call out that this role is different so the compensation isn't relevant.
  - bsdpython 12y ago
    I've been bullshitted so many times when it comes to pay. There's nothing ethical nor nice about the whole process. People have to stop being afraid to stand up for themselves. If you don't have to lie then don't but I don't see why you owe them the truth when it comes to your current salary.
    - lukaslalinsky 12y ago
      You can always politely decline to answer the question. You are not forced to play their game.
moron4hire 12y ago
"No". Just say "no thanks". You owe no explanation.
zbrock 12y ago
"What are the current salary bands at your company for someone with my level of experience?"
oillio 12y ago
I tell them that my salary is covered under an NDA and that I cannot disclose it. I don't mention that the non-disclosure agreement is between me, myself, and I. I can't imagine a situation where you would lose a job offer because you wouldn't disclose your current salary.
- iends 12y ago
  As I understand it, the National Labor Relations Act makes such NDAs unenforceable (in the USA) and a recruiter could potentially see right through this.
  - deskamess 12y ago
    You can always say you are not sure about enforceability as there are other provisions in the NDA and you are certainly not going to risk your current job or getting sued by your current employer over it. Then, in the same breath, turn it around and ask them if they are asking you to break the NDA because that is what it sounds like.
  - tomjen3 12y ago
    That is valuable information if I wanted to reveal it, however you can still say that you aren't going to risk it or that you think sticking to your word is important.
- vpeters25 12y ago
  I've been there: I've lied about my rate, I've used the NDA excuse. It doesn't work. I'm a bad lier so I don't lie anymore: I simply apologize and tell them you are not willing to disclose that information. Always be professional and honest when dealing with (potential) employers, they will respect that.
- rcfox 12y ago
  Though, I wonder if that might signal that you're willing to put up with silly employment requirements.
- Swannie 11y ago
rdudek 12y ago
Find out what the median salary is for the position you're applying for and basically just make up a number you want because they'll probably raise it 5% with an offer. I've done it in the past to get what I want rather then what they want.
discardorama 12y ago
Since you feel that you are underpaid and your salary is 30% lower than median, and assuming that you want your salary to be 20% above median, just tell them that "the salary I'm looking for is around 1.7*X" (where X is your current salary).
soneca 12y ago
You won't be on a good negotiation position if you aren't willing to risk lost the job offer for not agreeing to disclose your salary. That also applies to salary negotiations of a job you are already in. If you are not willing to quit if you are underpaid, then you will be underpaid. Forever. So, just tell the recruiter that you won't disclose your current salary - no explanations on why - and what is your desired salary. If the recruiter says it is mandatory, so just decline the offer and go find a better one. The appropriate way is just being polite. Not lying, not being rude. Just say "sorry, but I won't disclose my current salary" and move on with the conversation.
copsarebastards 12y ago
When recruiters say they can't move forward without the information, your response should be, "I guess we can't move forward." They can move forward with whatever they want; there is no reason to give them anything just because they are willing to flat out lie to you.
JamesBarney 12y ago
I would probably says something close to, "I'm sorry, I signed an NDA and I'm not sure if my salary is covered but I'm happy to give you my salary requirements".
chx 12y ago
"If my salary would be adequate, I wouldn't be looking. I'm looking for -not too ridiculous figure but high X you are willing to negotiate down-"

grub5000 12y ago

I would just say "I have a policy of not disclosing current salary information" and if they refuse to move ahead without it, just call it off.

bsdpython 12y ago

Tell them what you want to make. If the press, just say that your current role isn't directly related to the new one so that it doesn't make sense to compare. If they still press then just lie I guess. Or don't use recruiters.

moron4hire 12y ago
>> Or don't use recruiters Recruiters really are a terrible way to get a job. I've never gotten a job I liked or what I thought was a fair salary when I've used a recruiter. Recruiters, used car salesmen, and telemarketers: if they were better people, they'd have better jobs.
- issa 12y ago
  I don't like being in a position to defend the above professions, but that's a really horrible way to look at people. I'm sure you were somewhat joking, but still. Everyone has a story and you can't always guess what it is.
  - moron4hire 12y ago
    I would see your point if they didn't all use the same high-pressure sales tactics. Good people have ethics in what they do, regardless of what their job is. I don't overpromise and then nickle-and-dime my clients on support issues with my freelance work, even though freelancers have that reputation. I've yet to see a recruiter grow a spine and not use manipulation to place people in jobs they may not want just to keep their close rate up.
    - issa 12y ago
      Well, you pretty much just summed it up. You differ from the stereotype of Freelancers, but you can't imagine that some recruiters differ from the stereotypes you have of that profession.
    - lkiernan 11y ago
      "I'm sorry, I don't think I'd like that job. Thanks for your time."
- mdpopescu 12y ago
  I got my best job so far through external recruiters. Mileages vary :)
late2part 12y ago
Don't lie. It's not nice, it's not ethical, and you could be fired in the future if/when they find out. Tell them what you want to make, and I agree with you that you call out that this role is different so the compensation isn't relevant.
- bsdpython 12y ago
  I've been bullshitted so many times when it comes to pay. There's nothing ethical nor nice about the whole process. People have to stop being afraid to stand up for themselves. If you don't have to lie then don't but I don't see why you owe them the truth when it comes to your current salary.
  - lukaslalinsky 12y ago
    You can always politely decline to answer the question. You are not forced to play their game.

moron4hire 12y ago

"No". Just say "no thanks". You owe no explanation.

zbrock 12y ago

"What are the current salary bands at your company for someone with my level of experience?"

oillio 12y ago

I tell them that my salary is covered under an NDA and that I cannot disclose it. I don't mention that the non-disclosure agreement is between me, myself, and I. I can't imagine a situation where you would lose a job offer because you wouldn't disclose your current salary.

iends 12y ago
As I understand it, the National Labor Relations Act makes such NDAs unenforceable (in the USA) and a recruiter could potentially see right through this.
- deskamess 12y ago
  You can always say you are not sure about enforceability as there are other provisions in the NDA and you are certainly not going to risk your current job or getting sued by your current employer over it. Then, in the same breath, turn it around and ask them if they are asking you to break the NDA because that is what it sounds like.
- tomjen3 12y ago
  That is valuable information if I wanted to reveal it, however you can still say that you aren't going to risk it or that you think sticking to your word is important.
vpeters25 12y ago
I've been there: I've lied about my rate, I've used the NDA excuse. It doesn't work. I'm a bad lier so I don't lie anymore: I simply apologize and tell them you are not willing to disclose that information. Always be professional and honest when dealing with (potential) employers, they will respect that.
rcfox 12y ago
Though, I wonder if that might signal that you're willing to put up with silly employment requirements.
Swannie 11y ago

rdudek 12y ago

Find out what the median salary is for the position you're applying for and basically just make up a number you want because they'll probably raise it 5% with an offer. I've done it in the past to get what I want rather then what they want.

discardorama 12y ago

Since you feel that you are underpaid and your salary is 30% lower than median, and assuming that you want your salary to be 20% above median, just tell them that "the salary I'm looking for is around 1.7*X" (where X is your current salary).

soneca 12y ago

You won't be on a good negotiation position if you aren't willing to risk lost the job offer for not agreeing to disclose your salary. That also applies to salary negotiations of a job you are already in. If you are not willing to quit if you are underpaid, then you will be underpaid. Forever. So, just tell the recruiter that you won't disclose your current salary - no explanations on why - and what is your desired salary. If the recruiter says it is mandatory, so just decline the offer and go find a better one. The appropriate way is just being polite. Not lying, not being rude. Just say "sorry, but I won't disclose my current salary" and move on with the conversation.

copsarebastards 12y ago

When recruiters say they can't move forward without the information, your response should be, "I guess we can't move forward." They can move forward with whatever they want; there is no reason to give them anything just because they are willing to flat out lie to you.

JamesBarney 12y ago

I would probably says something close to, "I'm sorry, I signed an NDA and I'm not sure if my salary is covered but I'm happy to give you my salary requirements".

chx 12y ago

"If my salary would be adequate, I wouldn't be looking. I'm looking for -not too ridiculous figure but high X you are willing to negotiate down-"