I recently got approached by a recruiting agency about an interesting opportunity. Not sure if I'm interested or not but might be for the right culture fit, TC, project etc. I am not actively looking otherwise. When I tried to dodge the "target salary" question by saying I'd rather see if it's the right fit first then talk money. I even suggested if we can we focus on job description instead of salary. They said they can't go forward unless I tell them my target to make sure "everyone is being taken care of". Honestly, why don't they just tell me the salary range of the role and see if I'm ok with it? Is this normal or should I steer clear? Coughing up target salaries upfront goes against every negotiation guide I've ever read but it seems like every recruiter wants that from you before the company has even met you.
They don’t give a range because whatever range they give someone they will always say they need to be at the top of the range. I mean let’s be honest, hypothetically if the range was between 150-200k, would you say you need to be anywhere lower then 200k? I always tell recruiters to tell me about the role and I’ll tell you what I think it should pay based on the requirements of the position. I think that’s fair right?
True, lol
I would always high ball the recruiter. Figure out what the range is where you live and ask for 10-15k more than what you think would be your high end. It usually works better if you give them a range, where the low is you're true high. If they say a position can't pay more than x and you are willing to accept x, then tell them you could probably make it work. A lot of people will tell you it's in the recruiters best interest to get you the most they can. That's not always true. A lot of companies pay a flat rate for a contractor and the recruiters will give you the lowest of your range and pocket the difference. I've worked 2 contracts where I found out later that my co-workers each made 30-50% more and our billable rates were the same
Thx I'll try that.
Ugh, stop assuming recruiters are all evil or something. They need it to avoid wasting everyone’s time. They have clients. Each client has a budget. Sending you in to interview only to have you reject a low offer is a colossal waste of everyone’s time. Not to say it also harms the relationship with the client.
Not really assuming they're evil. I just asked a question. Why do they do it? Why do they expect you to be transparent but they aren't. There are a lot of good answers and techniques that others have shared.
They expect you to be honest and negotiate in good faith, because the number you give them will be the number they’ll fight for you. If you’re just looking to get as many offers as possible no matter the number, that would be a bad way to utilize staffing agencies. You need to be honest about the number and do intent to join if you get it. Tired of negotiating offers? Let the staffing agency negotiate for you.
Dumbest question ever, my target salary is 1mil a year not like they can pay that
Then you won’t be considered - there are so many in the market now
Are you in CA? In CA by law they have to tell you the salary band if you are a candidate.
Unfortunately, I'm not.
It’s an effort on both ends - think if you had a startup , and you had to hire (and you have a limited budget) - you expect someone to be within the range .
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To lowball you later.
Any tips to deal with it? Or just don't work with them?
It’s a recruiting agency... it’s in their best interest to get you the highest offer since their finder’s fee is a percentage of your salary.