Topic: Current Salary Required in Online App

So, I have come across this increasingly:

Online web application uses a form that requires a current or desired salary in number format (can't put in "negotiable", etc.).

What's the best approach?

I put in my current base salary and managed to get a telephone screening out of it, but my real earnings are significantly (~25%) higher than the base.  I am worried that they will use this number to make an offer if it gets that far.

Re: Current Salary Required in Online App

So give them your salary.  What is the point of wasting your time and their time if they can't meet your salary requriements.  They can afford you or they can't.

We had this happen at my company last week.  A caniddate said he was looking for x amount which was within our range.  We interviewed him and extended an offer that 10% higher than what he was asking for (we asked what he was looking for not his current salary).

He countered and said that what we offered was below his current salary and that what he really wanted was x amount.  That amount was way above our salary range so we said goodbye.  He said he gave us the lower number becuase he was afraid we wouldn't inteview him if we knew the truth, and he is right.  Well all he did was to reach the same conclusion but waste everyone's time.

Just because you interview well does doesn't mean a company will go outside of their budget or salary range to get you.  That is why i say be honest, if they can't afford you , they can't afford you and a good interview won't change that.  It will do nothing but waste your time.

Re: Current Salary Required in Online App

[quote="helma":3359oc2r]So, I have come across this increasingly:

Online web application uses a form that requires a current or desired salary in number format (can't put in "negotiable", etc.).

What's the best approach?

I put in my current base salary and managed to get a telephone screening out of it, but my real earnings are significantly (~25%) higher than the base.  I am worried that they will use this number to make an offer if it gets that far.[/quote:3359oc2r]

i guess you should tell them  frankly to avoid any insinuations and the likes..