Should you tell the recruiter expected salary on phone interviews?
If you are interviewing with a recruiter on the phone and they ask you for your salary expectations, should you just shoot the number that you are looking for or ask them for what is their budget? I have read so many articles online and some say 'no, never ever give them a number, always say that you are first looking for the right fit for yourself, and then later in the stages negotiate, tell the number'. Some say, 'recruiters want to be clear, and like candidates who are clear about the expectations, you should have a number in mind and tell them outright.' What is the correct way of approaching this? Recruiters are very adamant in knowing my current compensation and expected salary in the first phone interviews, and the first way of not telling them never works. But so does the second one. What am I doing wrong? IT career, in a tech product, strong data background Current TC: 65k, looking for: 78k YOE: 3.5 y
I haven't had them ask without telling me the budget first
I always say based on what you see in my resume. What would you say my value is based on the budget provided to you for the role. See what they say and then agree if you like it or say that’s kind of low I was looking for XYZ range.
Always ask for range. Never give your expected first. Unless you want to be taken advantage of.
I always try to get a range first. If they refuse I just make up a number usually double what I want. Then they tell me the real number lol.
That's great lol
I did that with my current job. Started as an hourly contractor. I was given $40 an hour. The client wanted me more permanently so they moved me to Infosys, I got 120k plus benefits. FOR THE SAME EXACT ROLE IN THE SAME EXACT TEAM UNDER THE SAME EXACT MANAGER. Now that same exact manager wants me as FTE with the company. And it looks like I can get a around 20% bump from 120k. Recruiters will take as much advantage of you as possible.
The first way is outdated. Do your research on glassdoor and other websites to figure out either their range (preferable) or the range for the role (if the company is smaller or role at the company has few reported salaries). Give them a reasonable range, and you can qualify it by saying "I will also evaluate offers based on total compensation, responsibilities, benefits, work life balance, and growth opportunities" or whatever you'd say. Then when they make an offer you have negotiating room on those points.
I wouldn't give a range greater than 10k because then it shows you don't know what you're worth/that role is worth
Exactly. The first way is outdated. Know your worth and ask that amount. The only thing I will add - don't rely on Glassdoor. It's also outdated and inaccurate.
It's a good input/starting point but I agree not to rely on it entirely by any means
I usually say I expect whatever the market rate is for that location. If they still want a number, then I give them a range.
It’s worth noting that in a number of states, its now illegal for a recruiter to ask you how much you currently make as a way of setting a range or expectation. NY, IL, and others have made it law because it leads to pay discrimination.
Don't give an exact number. Give a range. Also shoot higher because they'll try to lowball you. For example if the min you're OK is 78 tell them my range is 80-100. Also it doesn't hurt to go higher and say 85-110 & see what they come back with
This is the right answer. Inflate and see what they counter with.