Providing Salary History to Employers

Providing Salary History to EmployersProviding Salary History to EmployersDo you have to give employers your salary history if they request it? Whats the best way to handle information about what youve earned in the past? Somejob postingsask you to include your salary history when applying for the position. Its important to be careful how you disclose your salary history, so you have flexibility when it comes to negotiating compensation. If the job posting doesnt mention it, dont offer any salary information. Also, keep in mind that it is illegal to ask about how much you earned in past positions in some locations. What is Your Salary History? A salary history is a document that presents an employees past earnings. Some employers ask job candidates to give them a salary history list when they apply for a job. Others may request it as part of theinterview process when you are definitely in contention for the job. A salary history typically includes the name of each company, job ti tle, and the salary and benefits package the candidate has received in the past. Salary history is different from asalary requirement, which is the pay a job candidate expects for a new job. Is it Legal for Employers to Ask? Some cities and states have passed legislationprohibiting employers from asking applicants for salary information. Legislators in these jurisdictions believe that placing past salary information in the hands of employers perpetuates wage inequality since many women have historically beenunderpaidcompared to men who holdsimilar positions. New York City, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco have all banned employers from inquiring about salary history. Philadelphias law has yet to be enforced while a legal challenge is being resolved. TheNational Conference of State Legislatorsindicates that at least 21 states have proposed legislation during the past year that would prohibit salary history questions. Legislators in Massachusetts, California, Oregon, Del aware, and Puerto Rico have already passed salary history bans. New York no longer allows state agencies to gather information about salary history, and the legislature is considering an extension of this ban to private employers. Check with yourstate department of laborfor the latest laws in your area. Also, some employers, including Amazon, Facebook, and Google, have banned interview questions related to salary history. How to Handle a Request If you are asked to include your salary history with yourresume, you could ignore the request, but, that means you could risk leid gettingan interview. There is nothing employers like less than candidates who dont follow directions. An alternative would be to include asalary sortimentratherthan a specific amount. If you do include your salary history, be honest. Its easy for potential employers to verify your salary with previous employers. However, you can also say that your salary requirements are flexible. That may help keep you in t he running for the position and will give you some flexibility whennegotiating compensationlater on. How to Provide Salary History Whats the best way to provide your salary history? You can list your salary history in your cover letter without itemizing. For example, you could say, I am currently earning in the mid-fifties. That gives you some flexibility when it comes to discussing compensation if you geta job offer. If youre concerned that your salary is high enough to knock you out of contention for the position, what you might want to do instead is to include a salary range rather than a specific amount. For example, you could say My salary range is from $40,000 - $50,000. Heres an example of acover letter with a salary range. Or, your salary history can be listed on a separate salary history page and enclosed with your resume and cover letter. What is Included in a List A salary history list includes the name of each company worked for, job title, and the salary the can didate has earned while working at the employer. List your job title, company, and salary for each job in reverse chronological order with your current or most recent job at the top of the list. List your gross annual salary (the amount prior to taxes being withheld) including any bonuses or other additional compensation over the base pay that you have received. The following are templates you can use to provide employers with salary history. The second example mentions benefits in addition to annual salary. Salary History Template 1 Your NameAddressCity, StateZipPhoneEmailSalary HistoryBenefit RepresentativeBaptist Medical HospitalLittle Rock, AR12/16 - PresentAnnual Salary$42,000Account AnalystBaptist Medical HospitalLittle Rock, AR1/13 - 12/16Annual Salary$35,000Account AnalystCarillon Financial ServicesTampa, FL4/10 - 12/13Annual Salary$29,000 ExpandSalary History Template 2 First Last NameStreet AddressCity, StateZipPhoneEmailSalary HistoryMarketing ManagerChrome and PartnersNe w York, NY06/17 - PresentAnnual Salary$64,000 plus benefitsMarketing CoordinatorMetropolitan, Inc.Patchogue, NY12/14 - 06/17Annual Salary$50,000 plus benefitsSocial Media AssistantPrime CommunicationsBennington, VT6/12 - 12/14Annual Salary$29,000 plus benefits ExpandThe information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.