Should you provide your salary history to employers if they ask for it? What is the best way to handle information about what you have earned in the past? Some job postings require you to include your salary history when applying for the position.
It’s important to be cautious about how you disclose your salary history, so you can maintain flexibility when negotiating compensation.
What is your salary history?
Your salary history is a document that outlines your past earnings as an employee. Some employers request job candidates to provide a list of their salary history when applying for a position. Others may ask for it as part of the interview process when you are definitely in the running for the job. Salary history typically includes the name of each company, job title, salary, and benefits package that the candidate received in the past.
Is it legal for employers to ask for that?
Some cities and states have enacted legislation prohibiting employers from requesting salary information from job applicants or imposing conditions related to such inquiries. Legislators in these states believe that placing past salary information in the hands of employers perpetuates wage inequality, as many women have historically been paid less compared to men in similar positions.
The AAUW states that some states and regions have restrictions that limit inquiries by all employers regarding salary history, including the following states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Vermont, and Washington.
Several other states, including Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, have arrangements concerning job candidates with state agencies.
Additionally, the cities of San Francisco and New York, as well as Kansas City, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Philadelphia, along with the counties of St. Louis in Missouri and Albany in New York, impose restrictions on the practice of inquiring about salary history by most employers. Many other municipalities, including Chicago, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, New Orleans, Louisville, as well as city agencies, also prohibit inquiries about salary history from job candidates.
Check your state’s labor department for 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 the request
If you are asked to include your salary history with your resume, you can ignore the request, but that means you risk not getting an interview. Employers don’t like anything more than candidates who do not follow instructions. Another alternative would be to include a salary range instead of a specific amount.
If you include your salary history, be honest. It’s easy for potential employers to verify your salary with previous employers. However, you can also say that your salary requirements are flexible. This may help you stay in the running for the job and will give you some leeway when negotiating compensation later.
How to present salary history
What is the best way to present your salary history? You can include your salary history in your cover letter without going into detail.
For example, you might say, “I am currently earning in the mid-fifties.” This gives you some flexibility when it comes to discussing compensation if you receive a job offer.
If you are concerned that your salary is high enough to take you out of the running for the job, you might want to include a salary range instead of a specific amount. For example, you could say, “My salary range is from $40,000 to $50,000.” Here’s an example of a cover letter containing a salary range.
Or
You can present your salary history on a separate page to accompany your resume and cover letter.
What to Include in the List
The salary history list includes the name of every company you worked for, your job title, and the salary you earned while working at the company:
- Record your job title, company name, and salary for each job in reverse chronological order starting with your current or most recent job listed.
- Record your total annual salary (the amount before tax deductions) including any bonuses or additional compensation above the base salary you received.
- You may also want to mention the benefits in addition to the salary.
Salary History Templates
Below are templates you can use to present your salary history to employers. The second example mentions benefits in addition to the annual salary.
Salary History Template #1
Your Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone
Email
Salary History
Benefits Representative
Baptist Medical Hospital
Little Rock, Arkansas
12/16 – Present
Annual Salary: $42,000
Account Analyst
Baptist Medical Hospital
Little Rock, Arkansas
1/13 – 12/16
Annual Salary: $35,000
Account Analyst
Carilion Financial Services
Tampa, Florida
4/10 – 12/13
Annual Salary: $29,000
Salary History Template #2
First and Last Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone
Email
Salary History
Marketing Manager
Chrome and Partners
New York, New York
06/17 – Present
Annual Salary: $64,000 plus benefits
Marketing Coordinator
Metropolitan, Inc.
Patchogue, New York
12/14 – 06/17
Annual Salary: $50,000 plus benefits
Social Media Assistant
Prime Communications
Bennington, Vermont
6/12 – 12/14
Annual Salary: $29,000 plus benefits
The information in this article is not legal advice and does not substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information contained in this article may not reflect your state laws or the latest changes in the law.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/providing-salary-history-to-employers-2063438
Leave a Reply