Do I need to disclose my salary to recruiters?

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/apr/17/do-i-need-to-disclose-my-salary-to-recruiters

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Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?

I’m 28 and work in financial services. I’ve been with my employer for about five years and am starting to look elsewhere for higher-paid, more senior roles.

Am I obliged to tell prospective employers and recruitment agencies what I earn? It is invariably the first thing they ask, but I fear that disclosing my current slightly low-ish pay will prejudice starting salary discussions.

Is there a tactful way around this?

Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.