conversation: User (only_zing): "My worry is that if they know I only make $30,000 at the moment that they will not offer me the full potential of the salary. So can I inflate the numbers a bit?  Or will they ask for a W-2?  This is not a sales job.\n\nThey told me they will also ask for commission and bonuses of which I have not received because I don't work for commission and have only been at my current workplace for 6 months.\n\nI will have to relocate and commute, which is why I want the higher pay and my friend works the same position and makes $55,000.  However I know that there are a lot of candidates and I fear that they may be okay with taking less pay, where I am not.  \n\nThey also asked for my past compensation details since 2011, although my jobs have only been summer employment because I was going to college."
  Self: "I thought I had read before that there's a database they can search, like lexisnexis to find out what you're making. I like the "total compensation" answer, as it's technically true, just not exactly what they're looking for. "
  NotAPimp (NotAPimp): "No, the only persons who knows what you make is your company, their payroll provider, and your accountant. "
  bill_fred (bill_fred): "This guy is actually right. There is a database that can be checked. It's called The Work Number. Not all employers are on it, not all give out salary, and the person accessing that information has to have a permissible purpose. But it does exist. The Work Number exists so your company's HR department doesn't have to answer hundreds of calls a day asking to verify that someone works or worked at that company."
  