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.