💰 SALARY NEGOTIATION #2 - Handling "What's Your Current Salary?"

This question puts a lot of candidates on the spot - and in many US states, it's actually illegal for employers to ask. But it still comes up, especially in phone screens or in regions where it's legal.

The problem with answering directly: it anchors your new offer to your old salary, especially if you were underpaid before.

✅ A script that redirects gracefully:

"I'd rather focus on the value I can bring to this role and what's a fair market rate for it, rather than my previous compensation, which honestly reflected a different set of circumstances. Based on my research, I'm looking at a range of $X to $Y for this role - does that align with your budget?"

If they push:
"I understand you're trying to gauge fit - I'm confident that whatever we agree on will be fair market rate for the role and my experience level. What's the budgeted range for this position?"

Turning the question back on THEM to share the range first is a classic, effective negotiation tactic - whoever names a number first gives up information.

Have you ever been asked this? How did you handle it? 👇