The one question you should never answer in a job interview

Experts say to avoid answering this one question. Photo / Getty

Saying less can often get you more.

Many employers are desperate to know how much you make at your current job.

According to compensation data and software firm PayScale, about 43 per cent of jobseekers were asked the highly personal and controversial question.

While the majority of those surveyed raced ahead and answered the tricky question, it was found that 23 per cent refused to reveal how much they were currently getting paid.

But it's often a big mistake to answer that question, career experts say - at least if you want to get a fat raise with the new job.

"No one needs to know what you make currently," says Cynthia Pong, a career coach at Embrace Change Consulting. "The only reason employers ask this is so that they can low-ball you when they make you an offer and keep you in the same salary bracket. Resist!"

According to career coach Roy Cohen, acknowledging the question but asking to provide details at a later date is beneficial.

He says it allows you to then ask more about the position and gives you the opportunity to show you are the perfect fit for the role, regardless of your price.

If the question regarding salary rears its head again, the advice is to turn the question around on them to make it about what you want to get paid at the new company, rather than what you get paid now.

Say something like "according to my salary research, the going rate for someone with my background is between $X and $Y. I would be comfortable with negotiating a salary within that range," says Cheryl Palmer, founder of Call to Career.

Leadership consultant Nancy Halpern points out that if you do end up telling them your salary, you need to have an explanation for why your current salary is so different from your desired one.