How to answer the Salary question on job application?

[pawel]

I am taling to an employer, and I was lucky to make it through almost all rounds without discussing salary. They have my resume, and today they asked me to fill out the job application. The application has a section where they ask about previous work history and about my current-job begining and ending salary.

Do I need to provide this information? Must I fill out the salary sections, or can I just leave the salary fields blank? I do not want them to make me an offer based on what I am earning currently, or what I have earned in the past. If I put down what I am earning now, they will use it as a reference point which I do not want to happen.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[atari]

No, unless they tell you "we won't talk to you if you do not provide this information", do not volunteer. You want to refrain from providing any information that can hurt you. You want to provide information that will benefit you only.

[mismas]

Most companies will ask for your salary information so that they can verify it.

Sorry to spoil your good time, but employment offers are usually based on your prior salary and work history.

If a company extends your an offer that you are not happy with, you can always counter-offer. Just make sure you tack a couple thousand annually extra to give them more room to counter, your counter. Companies almost always counter the initial salary offer. Just a business.