Can you ask a recruiter for salary information?

[steppinthrax]

I understand it’s very taboo to ask salary up-front, however, I notice most recruiters/consulting firms (k-force, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton) try to do an initial phone call right before pulling someone in for a physical interview. Usually it’s a person who is not a manager who will pass your resume to a manager. So is it appropriate to ask about salary, benefits etc. to this person?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hell yes. That's one of the things I will ask a recruiter about any position. I'm not going to waste my time interviewing for positions that won't meet my salary requirements.

I had my resume on Careerbuilder.com and had 4 calls from recruiters (3 of which I had already met with) about the same job. It's funny because 2 of them wouldn't tell me the name of the company but based on the job description and location I knew it was the same job. I mentioned the name of the company because the first recruiter had already given it to me and they confirmed it was the same position.

I had the first one who contacted me present me and I got an offer but turned it down because I got a better offer at the same time.

Why would you be hesitant to discuss salary with a recruiter?

 

[Train]

Recruiters are paid more for higher paying positions, they are actually on your side with regards to salary. DEFINITELY ask them about salary.

I've even had recruiters get me more than I asked for, simple because THEY had the balls to ask for more.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Why is it taboo? Its all about the benjamins.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

You can ask recruiters all you like about salary.

You don't ask employers about salary or negotiations until you are certain they want you.

 

[AreaCode707]

"May I ask what the range is for this position?" is a totally appropriate question for a screening call with a recruiter, for the same reason they ask you for salary requirements. Nobody wants to waste time if the match ultimately is going nowhere.

 

[gimmewhitecastles]

salary information is what recruiters like to use to spruce up the position for potential candidates. the way they talk it sounds as if you've landed the job before you've even had an interview.

 

[steppinthrax]

Thanks

 

[Patranus]

glassdoor.com

 

[PsiStar]

Two reasons to use a recruiter;
1) how much $? They want to make sure that you will be interested for whatever effort they have to put into it.
2) long term use of the same recruiter is an investment in your future more so than even your resume ... and I am sure the value of your resume has been beat into your head?!?! In a way you need to sort of interview the recruiter & can possibly only do that with a few test cases. Headhunters come & go pretty fast, but there are a few long term career h/hs.

 

[ultimatebob]

glassdoor.com

That site is useful for knowing what the position should pay... but you're still need an estimate from the recruiter to see if they're trying to lowball you.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

One thing I like about recruiters is that they are actually very likely to be upfront about salary information versus the employer directly.

 

[shortylickens]

"May I ask what the range is for this position?" is a totally appropriate question for a screening call with a recruiter, for the same reason they ask you for salary requirements. Nobody wants to waste time if the match ultimately is going nowhere.

This. If its obviously way too low then you should look else ware and not waste the recruiters time. Politely say this isnt the kind of position you were looking for.
If its obviously way too high then you can take a shot, but when the recruiter finally realizes you are wasting his time for a job you cant do, he will be mad.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

This. If its obviously way too low then you should look else ware and not waste the recruiters time. Politely say this isnt the kind of position you were looking for.
If its obviously way too high then you can take a shot, but when the recruiter finally realizes you are wasting his time for a job you cant do, he will be mad.

Alternately, if they will not tell you, you can say something to the effect of "I am currently making XX in Y Location but would be interested in the position if the increase was (when cost of living differences are accounted for) enough to justify moving." Since they know the salary range they will often tell you whether that falls in the range (and will indicate where in the range it falls).

 

[alkemyst]

One of the biggest advantages of working with a recruiter(s) is telling them not to bother you with any job not paying at least X dollars.