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Comment by draz | Hacker News Reader

<quote>there's no way they can find out (legally)</quote> Really? Is that really true? What about all the forms one signs, allowing for background information check (education, employment information, etc)?

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Due to the way the legal system in the US works, there is a lot of posturing. Plenty of the forms you sign are not enforceable at all and only there to make people ignorant of the relevant laws afraid to exercise rights they actually have.

Interesting.... Could anyone be more specific? Plenty of "serious" firms ask about last salary earned (in fact, if you were to fill out an application on line, you may not proceed, as these fields tend to be mandatory). Is your advice to simply fill out $0? I've always thought "current salary" was irrelevant and just a nasty tactic.

I always refuse to answer about previous salary. As I've said in other places in this thread, previous salary is irrelevant. They have the right to ask and I have the right to refuse to answer. It's part of the negotiation. If me not telling them is enough for them not to want to hire me then I would have been underpaid and unhappy anyway.

>Plenty of "serious" firms ask about last salary earned (in fact, if you were to fill out an application on line

Are you saying that a "serious" firm would have you fill out an application (online or otherwise)? I thought any career level job would expect a resume/CV.

With online applications you can just place 0 (if required), and make a note "unwilling to disclose" or "will discuss compensation within an interview" or "upon offer" etc.

Big finance firms (EG, top 3 in the world) require tax documentation and will rescind offers if your comp was exaggerated.

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