Agree with SH, companies shouldn’t pay someone based on what competitors are paying. It should be about the person’s ability, experience, etc.

In my opinion you should.
And you do this by letting in sufficient information that will do the job of bagging a good deal for yourself.

Otherwise, how would anybody know how much are you really worth ? Apart from an independent assessment of your skill, talent, character.. etc; the next best reference is to know Just how much any other company would pay you.

And the better you are gauged, the higher your perceived market value is. It helps the interviewer a lot by providing real-life offer(s) that you have had; or are having at the moment.

EXPERIENCE might be the silent testimony on the track record of your employment history.
But it is the OFFER(s) presented to you that really speak of how much those years of experience are good for.

It is also likely that landing the whopper job as a result of multiple-offers
carries the downside of high expectations on you once you are on board ! This i see the point and readily agree with SH.

IN my previous job I tired myself out of good conscience, never wanting to claim an hour of Overtime. Perhaps I was perpetuating the good image of an employee that worth the money paid to me. Oh gee, how i endured the long hours to make good the perception he (ex-boss) had of me. Would I do that again? If money is not everything there is in life, I think twice ..

Nonetheless,
if public listed companies are gauged by the worth of their stocks, I see multiple-offers in the same measure as it speaks about the caliber of a potential candidate.

Professionally the rule of thumb is NO. You can just give them the background but not throwing direct information to them. A good organization they should value you by looking at your skills and ability, your potential and how you can fit into their organization and contribute rather then just competing with other organization on the wage. We have seen this kind of negotiation brings downfall to all parties. Always negotiate on a Win/Win basis.
I have some of my candidates shared that they regretted negotiate their pay so high or taking up another company that offer higher pay. Reason is that when they pay you that high they will expect triple return on their investment. The candidate sort of work 7 days a week and never go home before 9pm. He mentioned he regretted his action but too late to turn back as his commitment is very high.
Lesson to learn: Negotiate according to your value and ability where you will still have life after joining the organization. MJ, hope this gives you some insight when comes to making the decision. Money is not everything but is important so wise decision is required. Always ask yourself beside money what else they are offering to you? How about working environment, opportunity of growth, etc…

But just often does it happen, especially nowadays?

I dont delight in bragging, there are seasons in life. Sometimes there’s just one too many, while other times the lull of silence just doesnt go away.

i sat out at home for 5months at one time, unemployed. Finally an opportunity came along in a walk-interview, where over 100 applicants attended & i had to wait 6hours to face a panel of HRs and Managers.

the meat thrown to the dog was a take-it or leave-it,we have plenty (of guys waiting)out there. I was desparate & ready to take up anything they would give.

Q : Just how low to stoop down?
A : How about fresh grad pay?
Q : You want it?
I had no bargaining power on that day.

Fellow wage-earners,
I be happy for you to give them a run for their money.