Do you make up an offer
When the recruiter asks you if you have one, do you make up an offer with numbers you think are your true value?
Depends on how much you are making up. If the difference isn't too big then nobody is going to ask you for proof.
How do they know how much the candidate makes? Isn't it now illegal to ask
It's always a ballpark figure in these cases. They obviously don't know the exact amount you are making but with the amount of information available online, one can make a rough estimate.
They are in this business so you can assume they are in contact with firms whose sole job is to get payscale data. Don't lie, it's not worth it.
No one will take a counter offer as fact without proof and getting caught lying in a negotiation is a great way to get rejected outright.
What is considered a proof? You forward them emails from the other recruiter? That also doesn't sound right
Yes. If someone I was interviewing told me they had a better offer on the table, I'd ask to see it. Not only would I want to know that they really had a bit of negative leverage, I'd also want to see how my competitor presented themselves.
You don't need a counter offer so don't bother making anything up. Just tell them your number and that's it. If they can't meet it, then walk away.
Yes so far I have done that, turns out it is a lot of walking away without a competing offer
This. Counter offer only matters if you want to get them into a bidding war. If you know the comps for your level, you can set a number and that's that. From my perspective, if the new job doesn't pay atleast $xxxxxx, it's not worth my time. Period.
I’ve been asked to produce the letter a couple of times. I’m certainly not risking making something up, fuuuck that noise. Just anchor yourself high or actually go get competing offers. In my experience it seems like sometimes recruiters are most interested in those offers with some time sensitivity.
Can you please let me know the companies that asked for proof?
Google and Uber both asked for proof
No, but you can say that you are happy with your current position as a negotiation position
I've made up offers during every negotiation I've been a part of. I don't see why you wouldn't. We work for money, so why wouldn't you try to maximize your offer? I've been asked for proof by the likes of Google but I never send it. They probably don't up their offer at much as they would if I did have something to send....but I don't have it. I've been pretty well served by this strategy. I'm not a great interviewer and my background is below average. My fake offers have 4xed my TC in about 3 years.
When they asked you for proof what did you say?
I say that I signed an NDA and I don't know if it's even legal for me to be discussing this. I tell them that I really have no incentive to share my offer with them anyway unless they promise they'd match it which they never agree to do.
How do you actually get a proof? These days recruiters just ring you and tell you the number. They don't send an email out intentionally. Am I supposed to re iterate the numbers and ask a question along the way?(such as vesting schedule etc.)?
Most that want you to produce proof are ok with screenshooting a redacted email
Yes but they don't send it via email in the first place.
If you do then you risk being asked some proof assuming you are in negotiation phase.
That would have been my question for folks who voted yes.
Don’t lie. Its probably not worth it. It can cause anxiety which is unnecessary