Job interview and W2 request...

[A930Rocket]

I've got an interview tomorrow and they've asked for my W2 to verify salary I guess.

If I show it, I'm going to black out in private info and not let them make a copy.

Anyone heard of this?

Advice?

[rwest]

If you black out stuff they'll think you're not a trusting person and won't hire you- can't win on this one.

[LWJ]

B S.

Not certain how to respond.

Sorry.

[Rick Lee]

This is common in higher paying sales jobs. They figure a good sales person can talk his way into a job, but his true review is his W2. I probably wouldn't go along with it. None of their damned business how much you make at current job.

[carolinawillys]

I am a lawyer in NC and cannot give you legal advice because I don't know what state you are in and you are not my client, but I am pretty sure they cannot legally require this. If asked how I would respond in this situation I would instead offer to provide the W-2 if and when they make you an offer of employment. It can then be part of the salary negotiation.

[Por_sha911]

If your resume said something about your income then I could see them wanting proof that what you said is true. In that case, I think the idea of bringing it with you when they make you an offer as a condition of being hired would be fine. Otherwise, I'd have to ask why they need it.

[Chocaholic]

We're a California company and all Sales and Exec applicants are asked for 3 years W2's. Most comply. Those that don't don't get far.

[Gogar]

It's like asking for a picture of your wife.

"If he's got a hot wife, then he must be generally successful."

[Chocaholic]

No, it's a way to verify compensation-related performance.

[Gogar]

dude, don't mess up my narrative.

[Craig T]

Very common practice. I always requested proof of income when I hired a business development or high-level sales person. Why black anything out? If you want the job, and land the job, they're going to need your SS# and all your personal information to put you on payroll anyway.

[Gogar]

[pavulon]

For what is that number going to be used? Are they going to adjust an offer based upon your previous pay? F that. Would you date a gal who asked to see a picture of your ex's before the first date? HR people are nutz.

I'd stongly suspect that it's a sign of how things go within the company. You're not even hired and already your word means nothing. Show them the info to put your own mind at ease then 'Run, Forrest, run.'

[A930Rocket]

When I talked to the owner on a phone interview, he asked what I was making. I broke it down to him between salary, car allowance and bonus money.

[asphaltgambler]

Well that interview question certainly beats: If you were a tree - what kind of tree would you be?

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Well that interview question certainly beats: If you were a tree - what kind of tree would you be?

[John Rogers]

I guess I have never had this happen because I was a senior Oracle DBA and the salary ranges were pretty well known through out the San Diego area. The last job I had before retiring I spend 3 hours listening to their problems from three VP's and the testing manager and when it was all done I asked why the current DBA wasn't in on the interview and they said that she had a nervous break down! All but two left and they asked if I was to start, what would I want and I said $75 per hour, double between midnight and 6:00AM or on a Sunday or when I was racing the 914-6! They nearly choked and I heard one whisper to the other that was a lot more than xxxxxx was paid? I said I would start tomorrow at 6:00AM since they were in a bunch of hurt and the older one said okay and we shook hands. I started the next morning and about noonish the HR lady came in and said the terms I wanted were very unreasonable but I noted the handshake and since I had already fixed several of their issues........she came back in an hour of so with my contract which read closely.

During the whole process there was no mention of my past salaries or such and if so I would have probably excused myself and left.....but then I was not in sales!

[speedster911]

have it it requested of me in the past - I always stated : so your telling me I have the job if my W2 confirms what I have shared on the application and in our interview. If they say yes - deal closed! they can see all the W2's they want. They will have all my personal info when I am on their payroll anyway.

[group911@aol.co]

Oh. That's all they want. Better take the job before this bill passes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2017/03/14/gop-bill-could-force-employees-to-undergo-dna-testing-or-pay-thousands/#4efa19f271fe

[cstreit]

If I'm interviewing for a job, I would respond "I suggest you pay me what Fairly for what I am going to accomplish for you as a company. What my current role is, and what they pay me for, is not how we should proceed".

If they insist, I would finalize your comp negotiations before providing it.

As someone who hires people, my reason for asking them for a w2 ( and i do) is to ensure I'm not making a mistake and didn't get snowed by a good salesman...but then I'm hiring salesman. .

An alternative might be to refuse, but given their need to validate that " you are worth it" you might need to find a way to assure them.