When recruiters are considering potential candidates for a position, they need to know the candidate’s salary to see if they are a fit for the position. If you refuse to reveal your salary, then not only are you wasting your own time, but you’re also wasting the recruiter’s time.

How do you tell a recruiter your desired salary?

The best way to answer desired salary or salary expectations on a job application is to leave the field blank or write ‘Negotiable’ rather than providing a number. If the application won’t accept non-numerical text, then enter “999,” or “000”.

What do you say when a recruiter asks for salary expectations?

You can also respond to “What are your salary expectations?” by simply asking what the company is looking to pay. “You could say something like, ‘That’s a great question—it would be helpful if you could share what the range is for this role,”’ Fink says.

Do you have to tell recruiters your salary?

Unfortunately, you do need to answer your new employer’s inquiries. Not only are you likely to eventually “give in” at some point during the conversation, withholding information will likely irritate and create suspicion in the mind of your bargaining partner. But take heart.

What should I say to a recruiter on the phone?

Recruiter: Let’s keep talking. You have a good background. You: Great! You don’t have to be prickly or defensive with a recruiter on the phone. You can just keep the focus on your salary target, as opposed to your current salary. Some old-school, fearful recruiters will not like the fact that you aren’t willing to cough up your salary history.

Do you deserve to work with a recruiter?

You deserve to work with a recruiter who respects the fact that your salary details are private information, just like your bank account number. They don’t need to know what you are earning now in order to determine whether or not you are qualified for a job they’re trying to fill. All they need is one thing: your current salary target.

Do you tell Headhunters your current salary?

Plus, you need room to negotiate. Tell the headhunter you’d be incentivized to leave a company where you have an established reputation, valuable institutional knowledge, and an internal network supporting your long-term career plan only for a position that compensates you for your current market value—and give that number.