wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Brian and Nick - thanks for doing this. What you are doing is so helpful, and it is a great service to people who are in a tough spot.

@Sarah from NewYork: Yah, wait it out. ;-) Some companies are leery of hiring people who are taking a cut. Some are glad to get a great hire for less money!

@Amy: Personal references are nice, but not very valuable. I'd discuss what you know about the person's work ethic, give exmamples of their diligence, dedication, smarts.

@David: In this economy, it's possible to fail in interviews many times. But I'd talk with a trusted friend who knows the field in which you want to work. Run through the substance of your interviews with them. Ask them to be very blunt with you: Do they think you're doing something wrong? Could you present yourself more effectively? Getting them to be brutally honest is the challenge. You might turn something up.

@BJ: H1-B visas require a sponsor. It's a lot of work for a company to do that. It takes a lot more convincing, and that requires a very personal approach, someone to refer and recommend you highly.

@paintjoe: Asking for a pay stub after you are hired is not discrimination as long as they ask all hires for it. My point was not to lie during the interview. If you fudge your past salary, get hired, then are asked to cough up an old pay stub, one of two things happens: 1. You refuse to pony it up and they terminate you for violating the terms of the employee manual. (Read your offer: It likely says that you agree upon acceptance to abide by the manual. Nothing illegal or discriminatory in that. You agreed. If the manual says you must provide a stub, you're toast if you don't.) 2. You provide the stub, it reveals you lied in the interview, you get terminated. How does that make me a Republican? (Just who is discriminating and revealing prejudice?)

We answered some of these questions live on the air, and the audio is available for you to listen to.

Let's cover some of the others:

@Suki from Williamsburg: Blindly disclosing salary to a headhunter you don't know is not smart. If you trust the headhunter to use the information properly, that's something else. I don't have much respect for a recruiter who drops a candidate because the recruiter doesn't respect the candidate's privacy. As a recruiter you have to earn the right to ask for such information.

@Jamison: I'd sit down with your bosses and outline what you accomplish for the company. How you have saved them money and how you improve the business. Then outline your plan for doing more of the same next year. Ask them if they'd be willing to discuss your compensation in terms of what you produce for them. That might stimulate the change you want. If it doesn't, thank them for their time. Don't get mad. Don't reveal any upset. But start interviewing elsewhere. In the end, if you think you are underpaid, the only way to confirm it is to get a better offer elsewhere.

Great segment. Nick's got so many insightful tips!

Anyone need some painting done ?

THIS GUY IS SHAMELESS. i want him to work for me.

Republican -- Please.

I don't believe this. I question this guy's credibility. If employers are allowed to ask about prior pay and "get" validation, later on (never heard of that, (sounds very litigitious)) then they'd similarly be allowed to ask if you have any pre-existing health probs and discriminate against you later on if you didn't disclose. something doesn't add up here.

Do you have any strategies for a person that has an H1-B work visa? Having a work visa seems to elicit hang-ups rather than job prospects.

Hello:
In the past 3 years, I've been rejected for about 17 positions after having made the interview stage. Is that proof that I'm doing something wrong or is it possible for someone to fall through that many cracks?

Yesterday I was called as a personal reference for a friend who is searching for a job. What is best way to talk up a friend who you have never worked with (I know she is highly capable) without sounding over the top. And what weight does a personal reference carry?

Oops! I've already disclosed my current salary, which is much higher than the job I am applying for. But I really want this job and I've made it very clear I'm not in it for the money and I understand what the job pays. Anything else I should do?

I dont want to leave my job cuz Im only looking to stay in the city for 2 more years at most but Im under payed. what is the best way to get more out of them with out leaving?
PS Im a Studio Manager of Product and Packing for a import company

I used to be a corporate headhunter and I respectfully disagree with Mr. Corcodilos that you should never reveal your salary, past or present.

Recruiters have their pick of the litter in this economy - they are not likely to give a second look to a candidate that doesn't provide all requested information. If you don't give that information, they'll call the next person who does.

What does it mean to "politely decline" to disclose your salary? What if it's asked for in the job ad - should you write in your cover letter that you don't want to disclose, or should you just leave it out? Does that hurt you? Thanks.

Mr. Corcodilos just mentioned that an employer can ask you for a previous pay stub. Why would they do that and why would you have to comply?