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Comment by abdullahkhalids | Hacker News Reader

In the job market right now. I have a question about talking to recruiters.

I am talking to a couple of them, who are working with companies whose name or location they won't even disclose until the company looks at my CV and decides to move ahead.

But the recruiters want me to specify a salary expectation. But my salary expectations depend on whether I am living in the downtown of large city or in a smaller city, or able to work remotely.

What number do I specify, or how do I approach the situation otherwise?

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Tell them you are working with the other recruiters so if they don't want to double-submit (which invalidates the candidate in most cases unless the resume is so good the company does not mind paying double commission) they will have to tell you which companies they are submitting to. If they still refuse to tell - they don't work with anybody and just submit you to any open job ad they can find, you can do the same yourself with a lower chance of screwing up (e.g. the aforementioned double submission or the company explicitly rejecting any representation).

I would give that answer, possibly along with some examples of situations and the salary you would require for them.

An answer of if "I need to commute in to $city then I will need $money1 but if I can work from $town then I will only need $money2"

The trick is to give a range where the low end is one you're happy with and top end is of the jobs who you're going for. At the end of the day it's a filter and not the be all end all that you'll accept when negotiating time comes.

I've generally had bad experiences with third party recruiters so I try to avoid them when I can. in your position I'd probably be upfront and mention the ranges you are OK with in the different situations.

It is okay to change your salary expectations as you uncover more information about the job

Quote a really high number and then don’t return their calls.

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