Defense with Current Compensation

Leveraging your current compensation can definitely be a move on the negotiation chessboard; however, this strategy has its limitations. For one, if you are already under-compensated, then sharing current compensation will more likely hurt than help you. In some US states, companies cannot legally ask you for your current compensation and may not negotiate on that basis. Most importantly, there is a cap on the raise you can ask for based solely on your current compensation. For instance, you cannot ask the recruiter for $200K in compensation when you make $100K, i.e., a 100% increase.