| When there's a line at the supermarket or bank or | | | | someone overqualified who won't last. |
| target, it's only natural to look for a way to 'budge" in | | | | In this situation it is understandable that the employer |
| line. When there's a big line of CANDIDATES, it makes | | | | might want some proof of past compensation. The |
| sense for the Employer to have higher standards, | | | | perspective employee's best strategy is to keep |
| higher screening. While they are certainly interested in | | | | abreast of market values through various salary |
| the best candidate, they only have time to interview, | | | | reporting websites. Once you know the mean or |
| say, 10. I don't have any problem with candidates | | | | median salaries, then you can use that info to |
| bringing W-2s with them, BECAUSE it means that they | | | | SECURE an interview. Once in the interview it's up to |
| have PASSED THE INITIAL SCREENING. Getting past | | | | you to convince them you're the best for the job. |
| this test usually means getting a job interview and | | | | It is not unheard of that applicants are asked to agree |
| potentially an offer. After all, the main purpose of my | | | | to a "penalty" if they leave the employer early, as an |
| Salary-Making rule #1: wait for an offer before | | | | insurance protecting against the company hiring you |
| discussing salary. | | | | and then having you jump ship early. It can work like |
| In the 2001-2003 slow down, even though there were | | | | this. Let's say you were used to $150,000 + bonus. |
| candidates willing to take a pay cut just to get a job, | | | | You agree to take a job at $125 + bonus. You agree |
| employers were reticent to hire them. They thought, | | | | to stay in that job for 3 years -- And as "ransom" you |
| "When good times return it's bye-bye: find a new | | | | agree that your bonuses will be put in escrow to be |
| employee." Employers don't want to train new | | | | paid out after 36 months. If you leave voluntarily |
| employees and then lose them. So they'd rather hire at | | | | before that time, you forfeit those bonuses. |
| roughly the same salary if possible rather than get | | | | |