Some of the hardest questions to answer during a job interview are about compensation. Here’s what you will be asked and examples of the best answers. Questions about salary can be tricky to answer, and, in some locations,
Can employers find out how much you made at your last job? If they ask you for your salary history do you have to give it to them? What are the options, if any, for providing information on how much you are earning now or how much you made at your last job to prospective employers?
Handling Employer Requests for Salary Information
Candidates often have to deal with employer requests for salary history either on job applications or during salary negotiations after successful interviews.
However, in some locations, it is illegal for employers to ask so you may want to consider state or city laws in your area prior to responding. States and cities that have passed statutes prohibiting employer inquiries have done so on the grounds that such questions can impact pay equity. Women often have historically lower salaries than males for similar jobs, in part due to discrimination. Progressive cities and states believe that establishing future compensation based on these artificially lower salaries will only perpetuate wage inequity.
Options for Responding
Applicants have several options for responding:
- Provide salary information
- Refuse to supply such information on the grounds of confidentiality or legality
- Provide total compensation information without specifying the salary component
- Provide salary and mention plus bonus without specifying that component
- Place dashes on applications to show that you saw the question but decline to comply
There are arguments both for and against each of these strategies, but candidates often wonder if employers will be able to verify any past salary information which they supply.
The complex answer is maybe. However, the simple advice is that it is very dangerous to falsify such information since it can be grounds for withdrawing an offer or for dismissal after you’ve been hired.
Another important factor is that if you decline to tell the prospective employer how you much you made, you could knock yourself out of contention for the job. The employer doesn’t have to continue the hiring process if you don’t comply with the request.
What Employers Ask for as Proof of Salary
Some employers will ask candidates for proof of past salary such as W2s.
Others will conduct background investigation which might cast doubt on any inflated salary figures or outright disprove them. It is relatively easy for employers to figure typical salaries by reviewing industry salary surveys and online resources.
If the salary you give the company is out of line with industry standards, the company will be more likely to ask for proof of how much you made at your last job.
What You Can Do
It is fair game for you to ask employers for the typical range of salaries for comparable positions at their firm or for what they have budgeted if you disclose your salary.
This will give you a chance to make the case, based on your credentials, as to why you should be placed in the upper range of the company’s salary structure. Alternatively, if you are overqualified, it will give you an opportunity to explain why you would be willing to take a lower paid job.
OTHER JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS –
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is your greatest strength?
3. What is your greatest weakness?
4. Why should we hire you?
5. What are your salary expectations?
6. Why are you leaving or why have you left your job?
7. Why do you want this job?
8. How do you handle stress and pressure?
9. Describe a difficult work situation or project and how you overcame it.
10. What are your goals for the future?
