[jonathankoren]

I fail to see how this benefits me as an job seeker.

It doesn't matter how valuable my current employer thinks I am. All that matters is how valuable my next employer thinks I am.

[otakucode]

It is also inherently false to assume that two identical positions at two different companies are worth the same to each company. A software developer working at a company which sells software and a developer working at a company where they develop a product for an insurance company that enhances actuarial analysis are very, very different in terms of how much value the developer creates for the company - and how much value they create is the only legitimate criteria to test compensation against.

[asadlionpk]

It also does benefit the employer. Your next employer will use your last salary in calculating your value.