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Many times asking for your salary isn't a nefarious negotiating tactic - it's just to make sure both parties are in the same ballpark. If you're already at $110

by jtroyer 11y ago

Many times asking for your salary isn't a nefarious negotiating tactic - it's just to make sure both parties are in the same ballpark. If you're already at $110K and the opening tops out at $80K, there's no reason to waste either party's time.

maxerickson 11y ago
It is still a negotiating tactic as you describe it -- they are trying to avoid disclosing information.
rhizome 11y ago
If that was the case, why couldn't they say "This position tops out at $80K, will that be a problem?"
- lscore720 11y ago
  Recruiter here. Good question. In the majority of cases, I would say your approach would be just as effective. However, I prefer asking because: 1) It's about gaining intelligence - not in a nefarious way. If enough candidates at the right experience level are giving me a range of $90K - $100K and the client still won't budge beyond looking at candidates in the $60K - $80K range, I can eventually come back to them and say "Listen: of the last 10 candidates you liked, their salaries were..." A smart, reasonable client will make adjustments. 2) In rare cases: a "rockstar" candidate may be able to get 10% more than the budgeted amount, for example. So I would hate to send you that $80K tops message if there were potential for a perfect match. Then suddenly you're no longer interested and we missed a grand opportunity. Again, I agree with you for the most part. But ultimately, the recruiter figures: 99% of candidates give their salary number or a tight range, upfront, without issue, so there's no harm in asking for reasons 1 and 2.
  - rhizome 11y ago
    None of this makes perfect sense, and reads like just-so stories. On 1), you could just as easily say "of the 10 candidates you liked, 8 of them were still interested given the salary bracket." For 2), you could say "the job pays $X-Y, with flexibility on the top end if they really want you." It's interesting ("gaining intelligence") to read an account of recruiter allegiances, though.
chrisbennet 11y ago
If that is the real reason, there is nothing keeping them from disclosing the salary range for the position. That way they don't waste anyone's time...

by jtroyer 11y ago

maxerickson 11y ago

It is still a negotiating tactic as you describe it -- they are trying to avoid disclosing information.

rhizome 11y ago

If that was the case, why couldn't they say "This position tops out at $80K, will that be a problem?"

lscore720 11y ago
Recruiter here. Good question. In the majority of cases, I would say your approach would be just as effective. However, I prefer asking because: 1) It's about gaining intelligence - not in a nefarious way. If enough candidates at the right experience level are giving me a range of $90K - $100K and the client still won't budge beyond looking at candidates in the $60K - $80K range, I can eventually come back to them and say "Listen: of the last 10 candidates you liked, their salaries were..." A smart, reasonable client will make adjustments. 2) In rare cases: a "rockstar" candidate may be able to get 10% more than the budgeted amount, for example. So I would hate to send you that $80K tops message if there were potential for a perfect match. Then suddenly you're no longer interested and we missed a grand opportunity. Again, I agree with you for the most part. But ultimately, the recruiter figures: 99% of candidates give their salary number or a tight range, upfront, without issue, so there's no harm in asking for reasons 1 and 2.
- rhizome 11y ago
  None of this makes perfect sense, and reads like just-so stories. On 1), you could just as easily say "of the 10 candidates you liked, 8 of them were still interested given the salary bracket." For 2), you could say "the job pays $X-Y, with flexibility on the top end if they really want you." It's interesting ("gaining intelligence") to read an account of recruiter allegiances, though.

chrisbennet 11y ago

If that is the real reason, there is nothing keeping them from disclosing the salary range for the position. That way they don't waste anyone's time...