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Comment by nostrademons | Hacker News Reader

Refuse to answer. It's none of their business, and nobody can compel you to answer a question.

You're right, and that strategy works great for those of us who are in-demand.

Someone in the article, or someone who took an interim lower-wage job out of desperation may rightly not feel quite so empowered.

Look them straight in the eye and say "prison"

"I don't have to answer that." They can't compel you to answer, but good luck landing that job.

I have a hard time believing that if the employer is in desperate need, and a potential employee has the skills, they cannot come to an agreement, especially if you make it in for an interview. This does not make sense. Someone is not motivated enough.

Who specified that either one of those conditions was true? If it's an example, let's be honest: If the employer is not desperate they may not respond well to being told that their question didn't pass muster. Real people who are struggling to find work are asked these questions, and real people are being discriminated against by not answering.

You say, "I don't feel comfortable sharing that information" instead of the more hostile, "I don't have to answer that"

One needs to consider it as offensive as, "Are you planning to have a child soon" or "How old are you" or, "You look real purty"

Also if a company is going to invite you all the way to their office and use up their current employees' time, it would be a very stupid thing to not want an applicant just because they don't want to discuss their current salary.

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