Everyone hates the salary question. Recruiters love to throw it out early: “What are your salary expectations?” It sounds harmless, but it’s a trap. If you answer too low, you’ll get underpaid. If you answer too high, you might get cut before you even get considered. Either way, you lose.
But here’s the good news—you don’t have to play their game. You can flip the script.
Why You Never Go First
Think of salary talk like poker. The first person to show their cards loses. That’s what recruiters want from you: a number they can use against you.
Say $60K when they had $75K in the budget? They’ll smile, nod, and pocket the savings.
Say $90K when they planned $70K? You’re out before the interview even starts.
Recruiters don’t need your number to decide if you’re qualified. They just want to lock you in.
The Move: Ask for Their Range
Instead of blurting out your salary, turn it back on them:
“I’d love to learn more about the budget for this role. Could you share the salary range you have in mind?”
This does three things. First, it keeps the door open so you don’t risk underselling or overpricing yourself. Second, it forces honesty, because if they want you to answer, they need to show their hand first. Third, it puts you in control—you’re not a number on a spreadsheet, you’re a candidate with leverage.
Why This Works
Companies already have a budget. Every role has an approved salary band before it even gets posted. When they say, “We just want to know your expectations,” what they really mean is, “We’re testing how little we can pay you.”
By asking for the range, you flip the pressure back where it belongs—on them. If they give you the range, you now know whether it’s worth your time. If they refuse, that’s a red flag about how they treat employees.
The Bottom Line
The salary question isn’t about “fit.” It’s about control. Recruiters want you to go first so they can box you in. Don’t let them. Ask for the range. Make them play fair.
Because the truth is simple: the person who names the number first usually loses—and it doesn’t have to be you.
