Skirting The Salary Question

Instead of divulging your earnings history, focus on your skills and expectations.

- Kaitlin Pitsker

Rosemary Haefner is an employment expert and chief human resources officer at Career Builder, a job-hunting website.

Massachusetts, New York City and Philadelphia have prohibited employers from asking job applicants about their salary history. Why? 

These laws are trying to even the playing field. Asking candidates to disclose their previous salary has the potential to pigeonhole them. If you start your career earning less than your peers, it’s virtually impossible to catch up. For experienced workers, there’s the concern that the company may hire someone more junior rather than pay a premium for your expertise.