When interviewing for work, not a few HRDs ask questions about current salaries.

In some countries, this question is prohibited, you know. The reason is that the salary is considered as a candidate's privacy. Other recruiters or companies have no right to know.

However, in Indonesia itself, these interview questions still appear frequently.

So, if asked about the current salary by the recruiter, how do you answer it? May we mention the nominal specifically?

Current Salary Interview Questions

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Get an interview question, "How much salary do you receive at this time?" it is thrilling. In fact, this question may be more stressful than the salary negotiation process.

You may be wondering, what is the reason recruiters ask that? Does he want to measure your abilities, compare his companies, or find a benchmark for determining your salary?

All three answers are correct. Broadly speaking, recruiters want to measure the salary they will be paying you.

However, this is arguably quite tricky.

On the one hand, if your salary is low, it could be that the salary you get later is also low.

Conversely, if your salary is too high, the recruiter may think twice about letting you go.

Because the funds prepared by the company to recruit people in these positions are lower than your current salary.

In retrospect, interview questions about current salaries don't really matter to the company. What is more important are salary expectations and negotiations.

These two things can determine the right salary for your next position.

So, when asked about current salaries, try not to mention them specifically. It's your secret with the company you work for.

Other parties or companies are not obliged to know.

But, as Talentvis says, don't lie about your pay either.

However, the recruiter could find out about the lie. This could have a negative impact on the continuation of your recruitment process.

Answering Tips

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So, what if the recruiter raises an interview question about the current salary? No way, can we just keep quiet?

Of course not. Here are some of the results of the exploration of some tips to answer them for you.

1. State the total gross salary

Usually, a person does not only get a base salary. However, there are additional or other benefits such as transportation costs, food costs, insurance, BPJS, and so on.

Well, tips from The Muse, just convey the total salary and benefits.

However, if you feel that your gross salary is still too low, you should do tips number 2 and 3 below.

Example:

"Currently, the total salary I receive is in the range of Rp. 6.5-7 million / month. This nominal includes the various benefits that I received from the company. "

2. Check salary standards

Another solution, you can check the salary standard for the position you are applying for. Take advantage of the company's paycheck site at this stage.

Later, when you get an interview question about your current salary, you can refer to that number.

Example:

"Based on my experience and research, the salary in my current position is in the range of Rp. 6.5-7 million / month."

3. State the nominal salary

On paycheck sites, you may see a fairly wide range. For example, for a UI designer position, the salary range is IDR 5-10 million.

So, avoid mentioning the wide salary range, let alone the middle or average figure. Just mention the nominal salary.

In this example, the top nominal is IDR 9-10 million.

The reason is, the company will probably charge a salary that is slightly lower than what you mentioned.

However, if you mention the average salary, the salary you receive can be lower than that.

Now, you don't need to panic anymore when you get interview questions about your current salary.

In essence, don't mention the exact nominal you receive. Because, recruiters have no right to know your salary.

Just focus on salary expectations and negotiations.

Regards,
Arief Munanzar