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.