More and more states are finally recognizing the unfairness (particularly to women and minorities) of allowing potential employers to ask the salary question during the interview process.

The question has allowed employers to perpetuate the historic underpayment of certain classes of employees by offering those employees a slight increase over their current salaries, as opposed to offering fair market value. Unfortunately, however, many states have not yet come on board with this view.

Luckily, there are a few key ways to get around this question with grace.

When asked in an interview what your desired salary is:

Respond with: “I have many criteria for taking on a new position, including overall benefits package, work responsibilities, and fit. I have never turned down a position that I felt was the right fit on the basis of salary.”

Answering in this way suggests to the interviewer that you are assuming that they are asking out of fear that you are overqualified, and you are just addressing those fears. I have seen this (particularly the mention of the benefits package) work to have the HR person move on, comforted that you will consider other factors in your decision.

Or answer the question. Unfortunately, you can’t always get out of answering. I suggest trying (at least the first time) to avoid the question, but if asked again, it is very important for them to know a number from you.

Unless you check every single box in what they are looking for (both on paper and in terms of fit), then repeatedly refusing to answer the question will be a turn off that will prevent you from going further in the process.

Likewise, in an application, you may not be able to leave the ‘salary requirement’ field blank.

However, be prepared with the right answer. Do your research. There are plenty of sites available for that purpose, such as GlassDoor.com and Salary.com.

Find out the salary ranges for the job you are interviewing or applying for. In an application. include a range if possible, based on your research. Same for an in-person interview. State your range, but also state there is some flexibility (and that you consider other factors, if not already stated).

Do some math and determine what is truly the lowest salary you will accept. Then, when asked what you will accept, say your lowest salary plus a bit more. In that way there is some room for the employer to negotiate down a bit with you still winning.

If asked what your current salary is: try avoiding the question (per above) but if you can’t, don’t just say a number and be done with it.

Say, for example “My current salary is X, but I’ve done my research and I believe that considering all that I do, the value I’ve added to the company bottom line, my credentials and experience, and the market today, I believe that it should really be Y. In part, that is why I am looking for a new opportunity. I am the type of person who is fully invested in my work. I am seeking to work at a company that is also invested in me.” Or some version of that, tailored to your comfort level.

You should never ever lie and make up a number. Besides being completely out of integrity, there is no guarantee that the employer won’t find out by some means, which could come back to bite you.

If you are a woman looking for ways to navigate the corporate environment and achieve greater success in your current career, come join me at my upcoming FREE LIVE WEBINAR “4 Keys to Finally Get the Salary, Promotion, and Work Fulfillment You Deserve” here: https://toniapatterson.com/4Keys-2