During offer negotiation, is it safe to make up competing offer numbers to the recruiter? (I guess you can get reasonable numbers for each company and level from blind) Also, is it a good idea to tell the recruiter upfront (before starting the interview process) that I want at least x salary ? Because some companies take hard interviews but aren’t capable of paying what I need. So they are just a waste of my time.
What if they call your bluff?
To answer your second question, yes, you should tell the recruiter what you need up front. Otherwise they will set you up with bad interviews
Unless your number is lower than what they were willing to pay. It can happen in this late stage market. Both times I switched jobs I underestimated the amount the company was willing to pay (but didn't tell them that obviously). If you're worried about interviews, tell them you're not interested in level X so that they ensure you're interviewed for X+1.
Well that makes sense where companies have known levels, for sure. I usually say a minimum, with a range. But you have a good point
It depends on your yoe and how badly they want you. If youre only two years in the industry they wont care. If youre pretty senior and built a career the recruiter will work with you.
Don't get burned in the background check
Can't a recruiter just call up a friend in company X for verification of offer?
Yes, good recruiters can and sometimes will do this. Just don’t lie, it’s a waste of everyone’s times
Recruiters are pro at this. They’ve seen every level of bullshit and are on this thread too. Haha
You work at FB, just make up some numbers that's reasonable for your YoE and level
When I interviewed for G my recruiter said they don't consider current compensation so I had to get (real) competing offers
Recruiters talk like no tomortow. Its a high risk move.
It’s well known that most people lie on their resume. It should be no surprise that people have tried lying on offers. I would expect recruiters to know that. And I don’t think it is that hard to detect a lie when you are in a position of power as is the case of a recruiter or hiring manager. Think about detectives interviewing crime suspects. It’s probably not that hard for a well trained and/or experienced detective to crack open a lie. And even if one gets passed the hiring time, there is always the chance of lies not holding up later.
^this
Not a good idea, but could work. They generally know what competitors offer so need to be accurate based on your background. Why not just go get the actual competing offers?
The initial offers are always low, so getting competing offers takes a lot of time and work . I am just asking about the possibility
You are wanting a higher compensation, but don't want it to take time and work? The fact that you are insisting on Photoshop and asking for how deceive your next employer makes it sound like you are unable to get the competing offer you want and so you have to lie about it. I'm all for people making more money, but if you "have to" fake documents, that is more than a bluff, something is wrong.