Did I screw up by giving the recruiter an expected salary range?

Jan 14 4 Comments

Interviews aren't done yet, I have another round soon.
But during the first talk the recruiter asked what I'm looking at so he doesn't waste my time and I said "115-130k" (115k base, imo, is very good for the state I live in, already much higher than other companies in the area especially since my YoE is a little under 2). I thought I gave a good range and the interviewer said "we can definitely work with that."

However I talked to friends (not from the company I'm applying to) and they're saying since I named the bottom bound, I will flat out not get a number higher than that. They said I should've listed a single number as an upper bound.

Are you typically able to negotiate up at the offer stage even after having given a number earlier? I am interviewing at other places as well so I may have some leverage, but would one be able to do it even without leverage?

#engineering #software #swe #negotiation

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TOP 4 Comments
  • Well not really. What if you refused to tell, and the recruiter came back with a lowball like 90k and then you would have to say “wth i already make xyz..” and now you are in the same situation as now, with an added back and forth which added no value.

    Instead of stating current pay, its better to give a hint on what range would make it easy for you to consider switching. Make it clear that a 5% increase is not worth it.
    Jan 14 0
  • Microsoft / Eng
    akebdh

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    PRE
    Intel Corporation, Hitachi Data Systems
    akebdh
    In a way yes, because now they know they don’t have to compete more than what you have said.

    However you can still negotiate.
    Jan 14 0
  • Amazon / Eng
    wawY45

    Go to company page Amazon Eng

    PRE
    Apple
    BIO
    I'm a no-man.
    wawY45
    LOL.

    When I was interviewing with Amazon, I was willing to accept around 150k before looking closer to levels fyi.

    I spent a whole phone call recruiter asking for my range. Gave absolutely no numbers she finally told me some numbers herself.

    Anyhow, I get the offer for 200k+ (if rounded to a 50k), no other offers, I conceal my excitement and say I was expecting more, closer to 300k (since that's what I saw for L6 on levels, and I'm no junior here).

    She tells me can't do, but comes back with an extra 10% that rounds closer to 250k. I'm still disappointed thinking I was L6.

    After joining, I see I'm merely L5, and the offer was actually VERY decent for a tetriary market - most L5 offers at the time were below mine. Many still are. (My same offer was almost 300k at the high mark for AMZN.)

    It's anyone's guess what would have happened had I told the recruiter I was expecting 150k. Probably would have gotten a straight 200k even, and would have to be asking for 250k instead of 300k to not look out of line. Certainly couldn't come back after an offer and simply go "300k" without having to mention other offers or looking like an idiot.
    Jan 15 0
  • GitLab
    KFuR52

    Go to company page GitLab

    KFuR52
    Yes can negotiate up, but don’t wait until an offer comes in. As you go through the interview process and learn more about the job you can always go back to the recruiter and say something along the lines of how the job is more complex and multifaceted than you originally thought and that a range of $x-y would be more appropriate
    Jan 14 0