I always refuse to answer about previous salary. As I've said in other places in this thread, previous salary is irrelevant. They have the right to ask and I have the right to refuse to answer. It's part of the negotiation. If me not telling them is enough for them not to want to hire me then I would have been underpaid and unhappy anyway.

>Plenty of "serious" firms ask about last salary earned (in fact, if you were to fill out an application on line

Are you saying that a "serious" firm would have you fill out an application (online or otherwise)? I thought any career level job would expect a resume/CV.