Is it bad form to ask for a salary range @ initial contact?

[Ns1]

Got hit up on LinkedIn by a recruiter - position seems interesting but title is a step down from where I'm at now - I don't really care as long as it pays more.

Is it bad form to ask for a salary range in my first reply? I don't want to waste people's time here.

 

[Capt Caveman]

If it's a recruiter, nope, ask away. Especially since they contacted you.

 

[Ns1]

** to be clear this is the corporate recruiter, and not a head hunter.

 

[Capt Caveman]

** to be clear this is the corporate recruiter, and not a head hunter.

Then instead of salary, ask about the leveling of the position based on the title.

 

[Cuular]

It's logical to ask now. If they aren't willing to offer something you want. It's a waste of both your times.

But normal hiring process dictates you wait until further on when they actually verbally offer you the job, then negotiation for wages commences.

 

[Ns1]

It's logical to ask now. If they aren't willing to offer something you want. It's a waste of both your times.

But normal hiring process dictates you wait until further on when they actually verbally offer you the job, then negotiation for wages commences.

why the fuck would I spend 10 hours of my time (and the recruiter, and the hiring manager...) if the offered salary range isn't within my range? Seems illogical.

That said, I may or may not play the game anyway. Because $$$. I mean I'm okay with waiting for the offer to negotiate a specific amount, but all I'm looking for here is a range.

 

[core2slow]

But normal hiring process dictates you wait until further on when they actually verbally offer you the job, then negotiation for wages commences.

uhhh no. That's the definition of wasting your time, especially for a position you think is lower than your current.

I don't care if it's a corporate recruiter or not, if you value your time and your worth then you'd ask for a salary range.

 

[OverVolt]

Nah, just ask away.

It'll be more awkward if you don't, IMO.

 

[Zeze]

Ask now.

I had an in-house recruiter called me and he himself gave up salary range. I just said, "what's the range?" why play this dumb game when both party can gauge if they're right fit or not financially?

I even kind of negotiated within 15 mins ofbthe first cold call, "thats bit below my range".

He provided the absolute top range after that.

This was toshiba sdlc proj mgr position in nyc 2 yrs ago. IIRC it was 120k with 20% bonus. meh for manhattan.

This is not 90s. i like it how recruiters just shoot straight now a days.

 

[brianmanahan]

This was toshiba sdlc proj mgr position in nyc 2 yrs ago. IIRC it was 120k with 20% bonus. meh for manhattan.

i wouldn't want to be an SDLC project manager for all the money in the world.

not for a hundred million billion TRILLION dollars

 

[Zeze]

i wouldn't want to be an SDLC project manager for all the money in the world.

not for a hundred million billion TRILLION dollars

Me neither.

What a stupid role, running around asking dev and qa for status and take heat on their behalf from biz and sponsors... all the while having zero authority.

Stupid ass project plan with 300 rows of shit that make your own head spin.

But it pays bills.

 

[shortylickens]

I never ask for salary.
Of course, I also havent been offered a job in many years.
So I dont think it matters either way.

 

[sdifox]

Always ask.

 

[sdifox]

Me neither.

What a stupid role, running around asking dev and qa for status and take heat on their behalf from biz and sponsors... all the while having zero authority.

Stupid ass project plan with 300 rows of shit that make your own head spin.

But it pays bills.

300 rows? that is just to order toilet papers.

 

[Ancalagon44]

I'd definitely ask for a range upfront to avoid wasting each other's time.

 

[K1052]

They contacted you. Ask away.

 

[Cappuccino]

100k club gtfo elitist

 

[PricklyPete]

Since I'm happy with my job and pay...it definitely comes up within the first verbal discussion I have with a recruiter. I'm not going to waste my time for something that pays less and potentially could be a worse job.

If I was really unhappy about my job or pay, I might have a different tactic.

 

[Tweak155]

I always ask compensation range vs just saying salary to indicate that I'm interested in the overall package, although usually they just reply back with salary and that's all I'm really interested in anyway

 

[rh71]

Since it is beneath you anyway (hehe), ask. I certainly would if I'm not desperate.

 

[purbeast0]

I always ask for the salary range at first contact because I don't want to waste my time nor the company/recruiters time.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I've done *very* heavy job searching twice (one <1yr ago, other <5yrs ago). Both instances started with me going the 'normal' route of not asking for a while, but then eventually that facade falls away (somewhere after the 50th recruiter call/interview) and I just started asking for the ranges in the first phone call. Trust me, it'll save you a LOT of time if you can knock out a ton of jobs quickly simply based on salaries.

 

[sourceninja]

...

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I was wondering this too since I'm starting to look again. A bunch of these listings don't say anything and I don't want to waste my time calling days off of work for interviews for a job that pays less.

 

[ultimatebob]

If they're calling you, sure. Ask away.

I know that some people say that's bad form, but there is nothing worse than spending weeks going through an interview process only to get an insanely low ball number on your offer letter.