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Comment by bryan11 | Hacker News Reader

Do: * Let me know what you see as 'next steps' based on my current position. This establishes that you've looked at my background and have at least a general understanding of what my current job title means. It may also show you haven't and are likely wasting my time.

Don't: * Ask my current and expected salary requirements

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Why wouldn't you tell a recruiter your expected salary requirements? The best part of going through a recruiter is that it's hard to find out salary up front when you're interviewing. Them knowing my minimum acceptable salary keeps both of us from wasting our time.

Recruiters are hired by the companies trying to fill positions. The company's interest is to fill the position with as low of a salary as the market will tolerate, which is direct opposition to my interest, which is getting the highest salary that the market will tolerate. That mostly only applies if the recruiter is approaching me.

If I'm approaching a recruiter, it's extremely likely that I'd at least be willing to give them a minimum salary. I've never done this though - it's always been random recruiters spamming me on LinkedIn.

Most recruiters are agency recruiters. They get paid a commission based on your first year's salary - usually around 20% and if you don't stay at company at least 3-6 months depending on the contract they sign with the employer, they don't get paid. They are theoretically interested in getting you the highest salary possible.[1]

Regardless, if you tell them your minimum salary and they know the hiring company won't possibly reach that salary, they won't waste the company's time.

[1] theoretically when someone is paid on a commission based on you getting the highest price, the incentives should be aligned, but studies show that in reality it doesn't work like that (https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/20/business/yourmoney/why-a-...)

If you tell them your minimum salary, and it's below what the company would pay, you've shot yourself in the foot.

I know my market value. I talk to enough recruiters, former coworkers, etc. I doubt very seriously that the amount that I'm asking for is appreciably below market value. If so, it won't stay that way for long -- I'm fairly aggressive about job hopping to maximize salary.

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