SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is answering HR questions as part of a series for USA Today.
Do you have an HR or work-related question you'd like him to answer? Submit it here.
During a preliminary interview, a recruiter asked me about my current salary. Is that something they can legally ask? If so, how should I answer? —Douglas
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.: Depending on where you work, a prospective employer may be well within their right to ask about your current salary. While asking about your current salary is legal under federal law, currently 22 states and 21 cities/localities prohibit salary history inquiries. If your jurisdiction allows employers to ask about salaries, you have a few options for how you can answer.
Obviously, the easiest way to advance in the job search process is to answer the question. The recruitment process is a two-way street where you're trying to learn as much as you can about the job and the employer is trying to get to know you better. Why would a company want to spend time pursuing you for a role that pays significantly less than you currently make? In the event your current salary is higher than what you know they are willing to pay for the role, explain that you are nonetheless genuinely interested in the role for other reasons (e.g., following a spouse/partner or wanting a career change). Strong HR professionals know compensation is not always a primary motivator for wanting a job.
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