salary negotiation 3

[AeroEng33]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I have an interview this week with northrop grumman. the HR people are asking to bring my salary stub without giving a reason why. is this legal?

also, if they demand that i give my old salary history do i have to give them a number?

thanks

 

[corus]

It is quite common during an interview to be asked what your current income is. As the people asking the question refuse point blank to reveal their income when I ask them then I often refuse to answer or add at least 10% to my current income, depending on how I feel. There is no legal requirement for a possible future employer to see your old salary stub. Tell them to mind their own business but make sure they pay for travel expenses to the interview first.

corus

 

[AeroEng33]

thanks corus... a friend of mine who applied with the same company but different division was asked to give out his salary info by the HR right before the interview. he was told to not bother with the interview if he didn't want to put down a number on the application form.

 

[TheTick]

Remember, if you start at the same salary, you wait another year before a raise. Be sure to give yourself a raise.

As for showing a pay stub, I would say that is just over-the-line nunnatheirdamnbizniss.

You could just ask them to offer you what they think you're worth.

 

[Latexman]

AeroEng33,

Do you have a color scanner, Photoshop software (or similar), a color printer, and a pair of scissors?



Good luck,
Latexman

 

[havesealwilltravel]

AeroEng33

Salary negotiations are very difficult.

They are asking for a pay stub because they are planning to offer you current salary plus a certain percentage. If you set your salary too low going in, it will be very difficult to recover. Annual salary increases are generally a set percentage "across the board" for all employees. You can get more if you excel or get a promotion. However, you can't rely on these. They are usually a function of luck, ability and hard work and the factors may not come together for you.

Typically, engineers highly develope their analytical skills at the sacrifice of their commumication skills. Practice what you want to say concerning your salary and be prepared to back up your points with examples from your experience. You are most likely worth more than they want to pay. If they don't discuss salary with you directly and just send a salary offer in the mail, arrange an interview to discuss salary with them.

Remember, all things are negotiable and they will try to get you at a "bargain price". In life you don't always get what you deserve, but you deserve what you negotiate.

Good Luck !!!

 

[EOIT]

First off it isn't "illegal" or really immoral since they are just trying to get a feel for what you were paid previously. Having just gone through the hiring process myself I know it is annoying/degrading to be asked this, but some companies do play hardball with either your old pay or what you are 'looking for'...One interview started with that question and it was made implicitly clear that it wouldn't go any further without a direct and acceptable answer.

Second, most former/current employers will only give out that information and the fact that yes, John Doe worked at such and such from this date till this date and nothing else.

My opinion on this is that dannym is right. Come in with the 'old' info and with a realistic expectation for your 'new' paycheck and work from there.

Good Luck.

 

[corus]

In terms of negotiations, informing someone of your lowest acceptable figure is a mistake as they will immediately offer you that figure. By informing your prospective employer of your old salary then you are informing them of your lowest acceptable figure. They will no doubt offer you your old salary, or even less, depending on your situation. Employers already have a 'feel' for what the job pays as presumably they are already paying people that figure. Don't demean yourself by giving out private financial details even if you don't get the interview.

corus

 

[BobPE]

corus is right, salary information is as private as you want it to be. I have been asked in the past as to what my salary was. I was always polite and asked them how that relates to the conversation at hand. What I mean by that is, all the moves I have made have not been lateral, so past salary history is irrelevant. I go in armed with what the position I am seeking is worth and bring that to the front of the conversation when asked about past salary history.

Now you may ask how you find out what the position is worth and that is where you have to do your homework to be prepared. If you do not know, then the company will win. You have to treat salary negotiation as a game, where the is a winner and a loser. You do not want to be the loser. And if the company wins, just who is the winner, an HR person that gets a good review because they shortchanged you into the company? I have found companies to be very willing to accept numbers that represent the position once they realized that I knew the worth of the position. I have had several interviews where salary never came up in the first interview, it was implied through my manipulation of the conversation that I understood the worth of the position. This puts the interview into a stage where you can sell the employer you value.

I never gave anyone my pay stub. If it comes down to that being the deciding factor, you have to ask yourself as an engineer...do you really want to work there?

Let us know how you make out....

BobPE

 

[sms]

I am with Bob, if they are demanding a pay stub as a condition for the interview, you don't want to work there. Run away as fast as you can!

Now if you are unemployed (or about to be) and really need the job you may want to suck up your pride and play their game. But if you have a job and are just looking for a new one, that is not the place to go...

 

[BJC]

There are only two things your present employeer may divulge about your employment. The dates and the salary.
Salary must be a common thing for people to lie about. I have had to deal with it twice, both times we let the people go. The sad part is we would have paid them the same money if they had told the truth. We wern't bottom fishing we were paying the market price.

 

[AeroEng33]

i guess the philosophical question for the HR is why don't they just pay based on the person's skills and market rate. why does your salary history matter? this might be a condescending view but HR should not have all that power to filter out applicants. they are there to assist not to decide.