Base Salary Question during Interview

[arizonasales]

Do you have to answer the base salary question directly during an interview? If I'm making a high base but am willing to take a lower one, I'd rather have the upper hand in negotiating and not say exactly what I make. Is this appropriate?

[christine]

You can say that you would rather have a total comp of say 150k. If they ask you again, I'd turn it around and say what is the range for the position. Then you will know what they are thinking.