Recruiter asked my salary expectations in the first five minutes and I finally stopped answering first
Every screening call, minute four: "so what are you looking for compensation-wise?" For two years I just blurted a number, usually low, usually one I regretted by the time I hung up.
Last month I tried something different. "I'd rather understand the scope first — what range is budgeted for this role?" Slight pause. She told me. It was 18k above what I would have said.
Didn't work every time. One recruiter pushed back twice and I eventually gave a range. But three out of five just answered, and the number was almost always higher than my guess.
It felt rude the first time. It isn't.
3 comments
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AnonymousAnon Curious how this holds up where the range is legally required on the posting. Half my applications this year had a band listed and they still asked — which feels more like a test than a question at that point.
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AnonymousAnon The pushback script that worked for me: "I'm sure we'll find a number that works, I just don't want to anchor us badly before I understand the scope." Twice they moved on and gave the range. Once they didn't, and I gave a wide band with the bottom at what I actually wanted.