A recruiter called about a role but wouldn't share a salary range before asking for my current pay and the minimum I'd accept. I don't want to waste either of our time, yet anchoring the conversation to my present salary seems unhelpful when the responsibilities might be different. I'm considering replying with a range based on the role and asking whether it fits their budget. How do you handle this without turning the first call into an awkward negotiation?
Handling a recruiter who wants an immediate salary number before sharing the range
- job-search
- handling
- recruiter
- wants
15
1 reply
Sometimes it’s just a recruiter script and not a deep strategy. I’ve had good calls where they still started with current pay, but once I sa...
Sometimes it’s just a recruiter script and not a deep strategy. I’ve had good calls where they still started with current pay, but once I said I needed the range before naming a number, they moved on.
Same here. The ones who can share the band usually do, and the ones who can’t often want you to talk yourself down.
0 replies
I’d keep it short and calm. “Happy to discuss pay once I understand the role and band” works better than making it into a debate.
I’d keep it short and calm. “Happy to discuss pay once I understand the role and band” works better than making it into a debate.
1 reply
I’d ask for the range first and keep your number out of it for as long as possible. Something like, “I’m open based on scope and total packa...
I’d ask for the range first and keep your number out of it for as long as possible. Something like, “I’m open based on scope and total package, but I’d like to hear the budget for the role first.”
That’s fair. If they keep pushing, I’d treat it as a signal that they’re trying to anchor low, not just being clumsy.