[endymi0n]

"don't ever lie about your past compensation" — because they can't figure it out on their own and IF they do (at least in my jurisdiction), you've got a nice case on your hands to sue them for violating privacy laws.

The correct answer is: ALWAYS lie about your past compensation. It's the only way to get forward, one way or the other.

[alexpotato]

This is one of those strategies that may be "correct" in the sense that it works once or twice, but isn't a great long term strategy.

e.g. let's say you sue and then win: that's now in the public record (which any new hiring company can see).

[RajT88]

A better strategy is to push the conversation in another direction:

- My current comp is X, but that's not what I am worth to you.

- I've done my research, and someone with my experience is worth Y. I expect at least Y.

You set your salary expectations with your opening bid instead of letting them make the opening bid. It's also contingent on you having done your research =)

[eb0la]

I cannot dísclose muy current compensation due to an NDA: salaries are company propietary information.

I am unable to dísclose that information.

[dcrazy]

If you are a non-managerial employee, the NLRA explicitly prohibits your employer from restricting you from discussing your compensation.

And anyway, if you’re not in a state that has banned employers from asking for salary information, the recruiter always has the option of shit-canning your application for being non-responsive.

[steveBK123]

Its the perfect case for why labor organizes.

Collectively battling this is good, but individually no one wants to because its personally high risk (legal costs, deter future employers hiring you) and low reward (some settlement that won't change your life).

[bckr]

Are you part of a union? How can we get the tech industry unionized?

[nprateem]

The correct answer is to answer the question you wanted them to ask, "I'm looking for $x"

No lie, skirt the irrelevant info