EP 777 I discuss this mistake and offer ways that you can solve it.
The question I received was, "Why does every employer ask about my current salary during the job interview?" I want to give employers and recruiters a certain benefit of the doubt... And there's a 2nd reason the doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt. The one that does is that it is a timesaver for everyone. After all (I would use ridiculous numbers), if you say you're looking for hundred $180,000 and the position is paying $130,000, why would they want to continue interviewing you if there is no way for the 2 of you to come together because they are not going to pay as much as you are currently earning? Another reason is around salary expectations. Every organization likes to get a benchmark for where a person is and what they are looking for. So they might say, "So, what are you making?" "I am making $130,000." "What are you looking for?" "$180,000." Boing!!! This is the one word is a lot less about you and more about them. You see, institutions have guidelines (which are really rules but not guidelines , but they call them guidelines) about the percentage increases that they will offer someone. I know there are exceptions with firms in the way they conduct themselves, but most large to mid-sized organizations work with percentage increases. It makes a certain amount of sense and non-sales roles. After all, if you are a manager level and they are hiring you for a director level, you don't really have any experience in the role , but you want to be paid as a director, so the thinking becomes, "No compromise on salary so that they can get the experience and then we will increase their salary later on." There is that "non-subtle thing." The real one is the latter one. It is about control. It is about being in a situation where they get a sense of what you are currently earning and what your expectations are realistic and can fit into their guidelines. It is not because of any altruism. It is a control thing that organizations do. It makes perfect sense except when it affects you when they say, "Well, she's making $130,000. Our guidelines say that we will offer a 4% to 7% increase on top of base salary," but not look at your real value in a market. That's were ultimately, you have the choice as to whether or not you accept the offer. They may have a 4% to 7% guidelines, your value may be $160,000, hold out. Find an organization that will pay you properly. Your goal is not to sell cheap but to sell value because, trust me, there will come a time where, regardless of whether you cheap or expensive, they will look around the room and go, "Okay. We have to cut some heads. We've got a layoff some people. Okay. Her. Him." What you're being paid will only help you because you've been able to bank some more money.
