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Comment by newyankee | Hacker News Reader

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Though, I wonder if that might signal that you're willing to put up with silly employment requirements.

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.

Indeed. My total compensation package has elements covered by NDA. Technically even disclosing this fact could be considered a breach of my NDA.

My salary figure is an important part of my compensation, but it's a long way from telling the full story.

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.

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

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).

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

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".

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.

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.

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.

>> 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.

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.

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.

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.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I'd like that job. Thanks for your time."

I got my best job so far through external recruiters. Mileages vary :)

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.

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.

You can always politely decline to answer the question. You are not forced to play their game.

"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-"

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