Nothing dishonest in the compensation question, it's a long-held standard practice in the US. But asking correctly requires a certain sensitivity, transparency, and professional finesse.<p>Part of the hiring criteria is finding qualified candidates within a given budget range. It's not about trying to get someone on the cheap. Often employers will pay significantly more to recruit a top candidate.<p>Basically, they want to know if they can afford you. It's also a quick way for an employer to gauge the current broader talent market. Is their comp plan competitive/attractive? Should they go up market or down market to find the right people?<p>It's entirely fair to ask the recruiter to share the anticipated compensation band/benefits/perks,etc...
I've spoken to a few recruiters in the past and it seems like requesting current salary is a trend I'm seeing more frequently. I find it frustrating, and a little unethical (to me). I was wondering how common it was, and/or what companies are known to do it?