GigglyDonut
GigglyDonut
Stealth

Current and expected CTC

Recruiters always ask for your current compensation which is technically 'confidential'

It's unfair for you to disclose your compensation without getting something in return.

Let's CHANGE the tone of these conversations.

I always ask for their budget before I disclose mine. Enough people do this and it'll become the norm and gives you a fighting chance to safeguard against lowballing.

Objection handling:

  1. "Our budget is flexible depending on the role and experience" - counter - what role are you considering me for? What's the range for that role? - if they still deny that's bullshit, all companies even startups have a ceiling they've at least thought of
  2. "Our hikes are fixed at 20-30%" - run. Or if you care about the co. try talking about market standards and fair pay
  3. If they're being unreasonable and not giving any info, you say your compensation is confidential / not comfortable sharing it at this stage

Expected CTC - 1.2x Glassdoor/ambition box for business roles. Tech has levels.fyi. If they try to haggle at this stage itself, say you'd like to focus on the job fit and the opportunity and talk about compensation later which you believe would be open to discussion for the right candidate.

20mo ago
GroovyBoba
GroovyBoba
X (formerly Twitter)20mo

Why all this chatgpt sounding bullshit I just say this is my current comp. This much I want, if you are ok with it then let's proceed or bye bye.

ZestyQuokka
ZestyQuokka
Stealth20mo

It may be easier this way.
But recruiters question the expectations. Here I am making up for being underpaid and trying to ask as per market standards, and they ask why so much hike.

Best to ask their budget, most of them today share it.

JazzyNarwhal
JazzyNarwhal
Stealth20mo

That's the approach i follow too instead of beating around the bush.

ZestyQuokka
ZestyQuokka
Stealth20mo

Recruiters which say 'budget is not a concern for us' or 'salary not a problem for right candidate' and then offer 8LPA for 8YOE 🤦‍♀️

DerpyBoba
DerpyBoba
Stealth20mo

Makes sense. You get a lakh for every year you have worked 😂

Also I agree. Recruiters can be real weird. I had an interview with a startup in Chennai and the recruiter asked me my minimum expected salary and he immediately asked if it was negotiable 😂 I was like bro that’s my minimum what do you mean negotiable

SwirlyUnicorn
SwirlyUnicorn
Stealth20mo

Average chennai tech company 😂

SquishyMochi
SquishyMochi
Stealth20mo

I clear up the expectation/range in the first discussion with HR before proceeding. And if they ask for my current CTC - I say I’m not open to sharing it. Although this move done by a fresher is unlikely to be met with good results. However if you have experience and there is market demand, don’t share CTC. Screw this bullshit culture.

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