What they are really asking

The employer wants a starting point. If they know what you earn now, they can make an offer a little above it, which may be lower than what the new role is really worth. That's why this question matters more than it seems.

In a growing number of places, including several US states and cities, employers aren't allowed to ask about your pay history at all. In other countries it's a normal question. Check the rules where you're applying. Wherever you are, you usually have a choice: you can share the number, or you can politely move the conversation to what you expect for this role. What you should never do is make up a number, because it can often be checked.

A shape that works

Redirect, or share with context. To redirect, say you'd prefer to focus on the value of this role, then give your researched range. If you decide to share, give the full picture, not only the base salary: bonuses, commission and benefits all count. Then explain why this role is different, for example more responsibility, so your current pay doesn't become the ceiling.

Model answers

Listen to how each answer is built, then make it yours.

Answer 1: a nurse in Seattle who redirects
Answer 2: a sales executive in London who shares the full picture
Answer 3: a financial analyst in New York who keeps it private

Check yourself

1Why can sharing your current pay work against you?
2What should you never do with this question?
3How does Answer 3 stay positive while keeping pay private?

Practice · 3 min

Record two thirty-second versions. In the first, redirect politely and give your researched range for the new role. In the second, share a total figure, invented for practice if you like, with base, bonus and benefits, then explain why the new role is different. Listen back and check that both versions end with the range you want.

Your recording stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.