With the current state of the economy, which has lead to the perils of the job market, interviewing has now become a new science. One of the questions that baffle me on an interview is “How much do you currently earn?”. Being an old school employee I generally have answered this question but I have never questioned myself as to why the hell would any potential employer care about what I’m making now.
The riddle is “Why do potential employers care about what you’re making now?” The answer is simple it’s called low-balling. Check it out, if you’re making $50,000 and the position is paying a range of $55K- $65K, this employer has the potential to say well you’re only making $50,000, so we’re going to offer you $55,000; and this is suppose to make you feel better because you’re still seeing an increase. Some employers would even justify that they’re helping you out with your tax bracket. In the past I’ve actually had recruiters and employers tell me if you’re only make this amount you should only expect to make this amount more. Most of us being so desperate to get a new job never ask this one important riddle is (parental discretion advise) “Who the fuck are you to determine how much more I should be happy with????” This is the riddle mind trick that employers like to play. The sad part is most of us buy into it. It’s 2010 people start questioning yourselves, WHY?
As I embark on the new science of interviewing I personally intend to change the game. From now on if I’m asked about my currently salary my response is I choose to leave that blank. If I’m asked what am I looking for my answer will be “it’s negotiable”. See I want to put the ball in their court and I don’t want to be low-balled. Honestly when we look at the interviewing process what relevance does my current salary have to your current position. Absolutely NONE!!!! The current position should be about its responsibilities, experience and expectations. Trust me employers have already mapped out a salary and when we come in with something lower it gives them the justification to give you something as a comparable.
Let’s face it when we’re looking for another job are our main objective is to make money. Yeah we can say we want to be more challenged, change industries oh and the best of them all, the contribution of being a valued asset to your potential employer, blah, blah, blah, yawn……Yeah we know all of these but for real it’s all about the Benjamins. I have never left a job for the challenge bullshit it’s always been about that Dinero! I’m tired of these bullshit questions, I wish I could just be honest and say I want more dough, plain and simple. Let me put it to you this way if someone offered me a position paying $150k and it was a cleaning lady; best believe I would put on my scarf, hook up a dust brush to my hip and roll that cart with my cleaning utensils and product, hell you can even call me Lupita if you prefer LOL (OK I know that’s a bit racist, my bad ☺) But the truth is I don’t give a shit what you call me just fucking pay me. Like my current job I have an office, some status I’m considered valued but guess what I’m underpaid. The awards and accolades I’m given can no way help me prepare for my retirement. So peeps let the races begin as I enter the world of interviewing and getting up on my ass as it pertains to getting my own hustle on!
For provocation I will be doing some experimental interviews and let you guys know how it goes. For the jobs I really don’t care about I’m going to say the real deal. When asked why am I looking, the answer will be “money, money, and money”. When asked what I currently earn the answer will be, “As I understand it my current salary holds no relevance to the position you are offering”, basically it’s none of your business. I’ll let you guys know how well this all goes down. Pray for me, hopefully in the year 2010 we can be real and interview as real people of 2010 not of 1910.
Peace Out,
Blacktina
Side Note: I haven’t been writing for a while, I recently lost my brother who was very dear to me and been in kind of a funk. Yet I realize I have some incredible friends. Thank you Annette and Sylvia for asking me where the hell has Blacktina been. You sparked me and I thank you ladies, my sisters, dearly!
I was so happy to get an email that notified me that the Blacktina Chronicles had a new post! I’m glad that Sylvia and I sparked your writing flame; you are a fabulous writer and friend! Keep that fire burning; I can’t wait for your first book!
Being in the interviewing stage myself, I will be the amen choir for this post and I will be using the same tactics during my interviews. You are right; if one is pursuing a different position, what does it matter what they were making in the previous one? And what right does the employer have to decide how much more money you should make? I too have had headhunters tell me I shouldn’t expect more than $5,000 more than my last position. WHY THE HELL NOT?! Amen to the fact that WE are funding our lives and retirements and not THEM!!