Comments on: How to make more money: Withhold your salary history http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history The insider's edge on job search & hiring™ | Copyright © 2011 North Bridge Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Mon, 21 May 2012 10:58:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Chris http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-2#comment-279085 Chris Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:37:34 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-279085 @Anonymous - March 3 These are not luxuries of a bygone-era, they are employers looking to take advantage of the market who put a low value on people to begin with. Yes, those without a job will feel this way to get anything, but the market is shifting permanently to where good employees will be in demand. In effect, with today's market I always tell people to find a way to build your demand for company's to come seeking you. One way is to blog about your subject matter. Companies will then see your thought process and analysis and many times send inquiries to you. Another is to write free articles for professional sites in your market of expertise. These are just two small samples. I've made these recommedations to two friends in the past and it worked for both of them. Just some food for thought. @Anonymous – March 3

These are not luxuries of a bygone-era, they are employers looking to take advantage of the market who put a low value on people to begin with.

Yes, those without a job will feel this way to get anything, but the market is shifting permanently to where good employees will be in demand. In effect, with today’s market I always tell people to find a way to build your demand for company’s to come seeking you.

One way is to blog about your subject matter. Companies will then see your thought process and analysis and many times send inquiries to you. Another is to write free articles for professional sites in your market of expertise. These are just two small samples. I’ve made these recommedations to two friends in the past and it worked for both of them.

Just some food for thought.

]]> By: Chris http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-279082 Chris Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:29:19 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-279082 I have to say I agree with Nick on this one and will add the following for those arguing it is standard policy to get salary information: Ask your clients for a copy of their employment agreements, I bet you in more than half the cases they also metion that salary information is confidential. Saying a company has a standard policy for such information is also asking someone to break 'contractual law'. Rules of not, these agreements exist for a reason and salary levels are often protected information for a reason. Secondly, as an employer we have a range we budget for a position that we let the candidate know up front. If the range is too low, then they can make the decision to not fo further. However, we use this range as a guideline and will exceed it if the candidate seems worth it (which in all but one case they were). In the past I have used Nick's advice and was recruited for a position where the initial salary offer was 38% more than I was making at the time. After I was hired, at my 90 day review, they felt that I was doing such a good job they gave me an additional 15% raise. So I support Nick's point that it is about your capability to contribute to the company's success that matters, not some arbitrary number which means nothing. Yes, I know it is standard practice among many employers. But pushing people to divulge this information that is protected by employment contract or disqualifying them from the interview because they won't violate contract is setting many companies up for lawsuits. You may want to advise your clients of this especially if their employment contracts contain the same provisions. I have to say I agree with Nick on this one and will add the following for those arguing it is standard policy to get salary information:

Ask your clients for a copy of their employment agreements, I bet you in more than half the cases they also metion that salary information is confidential. Saying a company has a standard policy for such information is also asking someone to break ‘contractual law’. Rules of not, these agreements exist for a reason and salary levels are often protected information for a reason.

Secondly, as an employer we have a range we budget for a position that we let the candidate know up front. If the range is too low, then they can make the decision to not fo further. However, we use this range as a guideline and will exceed it if the candidate seems worth it (which in all but one case they were).

In the past I have used Nick’s advice and was recruited for a position where the initial salary offer was 38% more than I was making at the time. After I was hired, at my 90 day review, they felt that I was doing such a good job they gave me an additional 15% raise. So I support Nick’s point that it is about your capability to contribute to the company’s success that matters, not some arbitrary number which means nothing.

Yes, I know it is standard practice among many employers. But pushing people to divulge this information that is protected by employment contract or disqualifying them from the interview because they won’t violate contract is setting many companies up for lawsuits. You may want to advise your clients of this especially if their employment contracts contain the same provisions.

]]> By: Your Thoughts: Candidates, Salary, and Disclosure | Punk Rock Human Resources http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-251281 Your Thoughts: Candidates, Salary, and Disclosure | Punk Rock Human Resources Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:37:31 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-251281 [...] Nick Corcodilos, of Ask the Headhunter, advises you to never disclose your salary to a recruiter or company during your job search. [...] [...] Nick Corcodilos, of Ask the Headhunter, advises you to never disclose your salary to a recruiter or company during your job search. [...]

]]> By: Anonymous http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-185838 Anonymous Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:13:14 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-185838 By the way, it would be suicidal to avoid companies that engage in these practices as that has been all of them I've dealt with so far. This is the new corporate America. People think Hartford is a big metropolis, well it's absolutely nothing compared to NY or Boston in terms of opportunity (and I know because I'm originally from NYC). I am unemployed, having been laid off in 2009 from a Fortune 50 company. I can't afford to avoid any companies in this present economy and in my present situation. Those are luxuries of a bygone era....They can pretty much get away with anything they want these days, and they do. By the way, it would be suicidal to avoid companies that engage in these practices as that has been all of them I’ve dealt with so far. This is the new corporate America. People think Hartford is a big metropolis, well it’s absolutely nothing compared to NY or Boston in terms of opportunity (and I know because I’m originally from NYC). I am unemployed, having been laid off in 2009 from a Fortune 50 company. I can’t afford to avoid any companies in this present economy and in my present situation. Those are luxuries of a bygone era….They can pretty much get away with anything they want these days, and they do.

]]> By: Anonymous http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-185834 Anonymous Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:02:16 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-185834 Hi, I'm the same "anonymous" as above - I think largely because of the recession and the fact that employers are bombarded with resumes that it is becoming increasingly hard to get personal with anyone in HR unless you happen to have a real "in" in the company. HR depts. are keeping their phone numbers secret and even when you do get through you're never allowed to speak to a live person or at least one that matters. They've done everything they can to keep people out because they just don't have the time to get personal with everyone who wants to chat them up. There are just too many of them. It's a whole new ball game in this recession. Much harder than before. I am an executive admin. assistant and for someone in my line of work it is very hard to "network" as I don't have business contacts everywhere in my area. I have only a few and these days unless you have someone very close to you who is brothers with the CEO and is willing to go above and beyond for you, it's not going to convince anyone to give you an interview much less hire you. I had a head hunter tell me that in this economy in my area (Hartford, CT) if you're over 50 and highly qualified, it's like hitting the lottery to get hired. And that's from the horse's mouth. Hi, I’m the same “anonymous” as above – I think largely because of the recession and the fact that employers are bombarded with resumes that it is becoming increasingly hard to get personal with anyone in HR unless you happen to have a real “in” in the company. HR depts. are keeping their phone numbers secret and even when you do get through you’re never allowed to speak to a live person or at least one that matters. They’ve done everything they can to keep people out because they just don’t have the time to get personal with everyone who wants to chat them up. There are just too many of them. It’s a whole new ball game in this recession. Much harder than before.

I am an executive admin. assistant and for someone in my line of work it is very hard to “network” as I don’t have business contacts everywhere in my area. I have only a few and these days unless you have someone very close to you who is brothers with the CEO and is willing to go above and beyond for you, it’s not going to convince anyone to give you an interview much less hire you.

I had a head hunter tell me that in this economy in my area (Hartford, CT) if you’re over 50 and highly qualified, it’s like hitting the lottery to get hired. And that’s from the horse’s mouth.

]]> By: Kelly http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-185780 Kelly Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:37:00 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-185780 Hi Nick I really like your approach and advice. When job searching a variety of strategies are required to achieve your end goal. It is not always easy however as you have suggested shifting your mind set and thinking outside the square certainly helps. Your point about Forms, HR and the Job Page not being the only door are important for job seekers to always remember. Hi Nick I really like your approach and advice. When job searching a variety of strategies are required to achieve your end goal. It is not always easy however as you have suggested shifting your mind set and thinking outside the square certainly helps. Your point about Forms, HR and the Job Page not being the only door are important for job seekers to always remember.

]]> By: Nick Corcodilos http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-185686 Nick Corcodilos Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:10:58 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-185686 @Anonymous, @Kelly: I think you should by no means avoid such companies. As you point out, all these HR depts are doing is hurting their own companies. So take the Zen approach: When you cannot climb over the mountain, go around the mountain. Or look harder: There IS no mountain. Invest time to find the managers and talk to them directly. Meet employees and people who do business with the company. Get introduced, so you will be judged by who refers you, and by who you are, so you won't have to fill out a dopey form to get in the door. Please: Don't let your frustration get in the way of common sense. Forms don't hire anyone. HR doesn't hire anyone (except other HR people). A company's jobs page is not the only door. @Anonymous, @Kelly: I think you should by no means avoid such companies. As you point out, all these HR depts are doing is hurting their own companies. So take the Zen approach: When you cannot climb over the mountain, go around the mountain. Or look harder: There IS no mountain.

Invest time to find the managers and talk to them directly. Meet employees and people who do business with the company. Get introduced, so you will be judged by who refers you, and by who you are, so you won’t have to fill out a dopey form to get in the door.

Please: Don’t let your frustration get in the way of common sense. Forms don’t hire anyone. HR doesn’t hire anyone (except other HR people). A company’s jobs page is not the only door.

]]> By: Kelly http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-185636 Kelly Wed, 02 Mar 2011 08:36:52 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-185636 Anonymous makes a good point, where increasingly larger employers are feeding applicants via big clunky applicant tracking systems that generally serve to deter or frustrate potential applicants. These processes are time consuming asking the job seeker to complete a series of irrelevant questions and requesting you to re-enter and re-word your resume in a thousand different ways. This process is designed to decrease the administrative burden on those hiring while increasing the burden and time wasted by applicants. Those using this approach generally do so to utilize the software to screen resumes for key word matches before a human eye is cast upon a resume. Particularly at the professional levels it seems the most illogical way to go about recruiting when you are assessing ‘soft skills’ however today recruitment seems to be increasingly about throughput and minimizing the human contact. Rather ironic really, particularly when organizations espouse how important employees and future talent is! It certainly is frustrating when you encounter these online application processes and have no choice but to enter a salary if you want to apply for the role. This does decrease your salary negotiation power. My suggestions are to avoid companies that recruit like this (as you will generally always only be a number) or to find a way to get your application in front of the decision maker/s for that role or department. See if you know anyone who works there and if they have an employee referral program or make attempts to contact someone at the executive level to pitch to. Anonymous makes a good point, where increasingly larger employers are feeding applicants via big clunky applicant tracking systems that generally serve to deter or frustrate potential applicants.
These processes are time consuming asking the job seeker to complete a series of irrelevant questions and requesting you to re-enter and re-word your resume in a thousand different ways. This process is designed to decrease the administrative burden on those hiring while increasing the burden and time wasted by applicants. Those using this approach generally do so to utilize the software to screen resumes for key word matches before a human eye is cast upon a resume.
Particularly at the professional levels it seems the most illogical way to go about recruiting when you are assessing ‘soft skills’ however today recruitment seems to be increasingly about throughput and minimizing the human contact. Rather ironic really, particularly when organizations espouse how important employees and future talent is!
It certainly is frustrating when you encounter these online application processes and have no choice but to enter a salary if you want to apply for the role. This does decrease your salary negotiation power. My suggestions are to avoid companies that recruit like this (as you will generally always only be a number) or to find a way to get your application in front of the decision maker/s for that role or department. See if you know anyone who works there and if they have an employee referral program or make attempts to contact someone at the executive level to pitch to.

]]> By: Anonymous http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-185627 Anonymous Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:45:52 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-185627 I think it's amazing how people think they can avoid answering this question when applying for a job today. The internet has changed everything. You can paper the walls at big companies with your resume but if you should want to apply for a specific position you are politely directed to a website where you will have to fill out an online application that asks you for the DOLLAR AMOUNT you made in your last position.....And there's no way to get out of filling out that field or putting non-numerical characters in it either. The form will not let you proceed without putting numbers into it. PLUS, if you try to apply for the job without using the internet, you are politely told that "all candidates must apply for positions using the online system". I have been told this so many times I have given up trying to do things the old fashioned way. I am surprised that no one here seems to be aware of this. I think it’s amazing how people think they can avoid answering this question when applying for a job today. The internet has changed everything. You can paper the walls at big companies with your resume but if you should want to apply for a specific position you are politely directed to a website where you will have to fill out an online application that asks you for the DOLLAR AMOUNT you made in your last position…..And there’s no way to get out of filling out that field or putting non-numerical characters in it either. The form will not let you proceed without putting numbers into it. PLUS, if you try to apply for the job without using the internet, you are politely told that “all candidates must apply for positions using the online system”. I have been told this so many times I have given up trying to do things the old fashioned way. I am surprised that no one here seems to be aware of this.

]]> By: 93 most read job search articles | Careerclassic.Com http://corcodilos.com/blog/389/how-to-make-more-money-withhold-your-salary-history/comment-page-1#comment-162770 93 most read job search articles | Careerclassic.Com Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:02:42 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=389#comment-162770 [...] How to make more money: Withhold your salary history from Ask The Headhunter® [...] [...] How to make more money: Withhold your salary history from Ask The Headhunter® [...]

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