Sites Can Aid Job Seekers Devise Salary Requests

Check out "reviews" to find out what employees think are the pros and cons of working at a particular company, plus advice they would give to senior management. One review of Constellation Energy Group in Baltimore said that the money was good, but that management did a poor job of communicating with workers.

And Glassdoor posts interview experiences from job applicants, revealing what sort of questions were asked or tests given.

Not every employer is listed, of course. Both sites are free, although Glassdoor will require you contribute to the site, say, by giving a review of your employer if you want to continue using the site over time.

Even if you're not in the market for a new job, the sites offer some fascinating insights. Greenberg says one visitor to her site called it "salary porn."

Of course, you still are best off delaying any discussions of salary until you know the job is yours.

"You want to be in the power position," says Joe Kilmartin, a compensation expert at Salary.com.

But if that's not possible, the new sites can offer some useful guidance.