If a company wants to make you an offer and they ask how much you make now

[gadje]

Suppose you go to interview, everything goes well and they decide to make you an offer. Now they ask how much you want, or they ask how much you make now, do you tell them a number or you wait for their offer first and then negotiate higher?

[JoeM]

It's none of their business as far as what you currently make. Many companies will continually ask you that question but you should counter by giving them a range that is acceptable to you, if they are interested in hiring you. Of course there are companies that will refuse to hire you if you do not provide whatever information they request, in states that still allow this practice. You'll need to decide if you are willing to walk away from those companies.

[bik]

TLDR:
Ideally, let them go first.

If they push for a number, you can choose to go first or not, but the most important thing is not to think of this as an opportunity to negotiate.

Sell yourself. Know what you want. Know the minimum you're willing to accept. Be willing to walk away.

####

It depends on how much you want the job (or not).

It depends on if you are making a move strictly to move up in your career/compennsation, or if you are more interested in making a change, even if it's lateral.

It depends on if they are pursuing you or if you are pursuing them.

You can tell them that it's about more than the money for you, so you'll listen to any offer even though you may be making more now.

Or you can just casually brush off the question about what you make now.
Instead you can choose to answer with what you're looking for in order to consider a move (also worth mentioning that "what you're looking for" may include more than just money).

Maybe this depends on the industry, but you should NOT be looking for an opportunity to negotiate. You should go in knowing what you want and know the minimum you can accept.

You should go in prepared to sell yourself and convince them of the value you'll bring, not looking to bat around numbers – not looking to hear their offer and then ask for more.

You should be willing to get up and walk away if their offer just won't work.
You should be willing to walk out telling them you need to consider the offer if it is reasonable but less than you were looking for.

Use silence to your benefit. If they make a low offer, don't say anything right away. Most importantly, don't counter it.

Be silent for an instant while you decide to –
a. Sit there and tell them that their offer can't work for you and wait for them to either try again or say that's it.

b. Tell them you were looking for more, you're not sure if you can make their offer work, and ask them if you can have a few days to think about it. Ideally, they'll make a better offer. Or, at least they'll give you a few days and you'll be able to think about your next move without the pressure of sitting across from them.

c. Thank them for their time, let them know that their offer is too low (politely), and walk away. Maybe they'll chase you and make another offer. Or maybe they'll contact you in a couple days with another offer. Or not.

[anonymouse1]

Bik nailed it.

One thing I do is put together every possible aspect that was worth anything to me – vacation time, working hours, insurance package other benefits, total that up In dollars,, and call that my total compensation package. It’s clearly not just your salary.

[Speedy]

They are getting just what they are willing to pay for.

[Paul F.]

Read a story recently along this line.

Guy interviewed for a job, and was asked what he was currently making (he was making around $40,000/yr).
He simply said "You can't afford what I'm making now, but I'm here because this is a place I'd like to work better than my current employer, how about you make me a reasonable offer based on what my skills are worth to you?".

They persisted and asked if he was making more than $80,000? He answered "Doesn't really matter, why don't you make me an offer....".

Interviewer went to his manager, and came back with an offer of $95,000.

"Well, I suppose I could accept that.... I DO like what you have to offer".

He had been working there two years when he finally admitted he'd been making $40,000 previously. It was worth a laugh.

[sekker]

The last time I did this, I ended up collecting several offers as a way to both compare as well as to help with competition.

It was worth at least 30% more salary doing it that way.

[Carnos Jax]

I would just flat out lie. It's no business of theirs what I make. If they're going to be as unethical as to ask, then I have no problem lying. I would just tell them a figure that seems commensurate for my experience, and adjusted such that the offer which they make (which will no doubt be based on what I told them I make) will be what I want.

[DinerDave]

I also agree with bik. Lots of info there, sounds like it's not his(?) first time dealing with this.

Situation worked well for my daughter recently, a job offer said the offered the highest they could. She politely declined and said it was $4,000 below what she is making now. They called her back an hour later, saying they would match her current salary. She accepted the offer.

Dave

[Lemon Drop]

gadje wrote:
Suppose you go to interview, everything goes well and they decide to make you an offer. Now they ask how much you want, or they ask how much you make now, do you tell them a number or you wait for their offer first and then negotiate higher?

Great question! In a number of cities and states it's now illegal to ask a job applicant for salary history. This is being done to help address the gender wage gap. You can see if this is in effect where you live here:
http://www.businessinsider.com/places-wh...us-2017-10

It's a best practice for employers to post the salary range they are paying when they post the job. Better for transparency and helps to reduce wage discrimination. Definitely shop around and find out what others pay, and know your own worth in the job market. Good luck!