No Salary Range

Question

Interviewing for a role at a startup and dealing with a 3rd party recruiter in the middle. After a successful meeting with one of the founders, the recruiter repeatedly asked me to throw out a salary range.

I said I didn't have one this early in the process and once again asked if they had a salary range for the position. She said they did not, and that I was the first candidate to be interviewed for this entirely new role (Product Manager).

She was also being extremely insistent. The whole situation felt sus - I said if they needed a salary range from me right now then I was taking myself out of the running. It seemed like she was looking for candidates to dictate the salary rather than formulate one.

Should I have done something else? What do you think was happening there?

PadThai · Accepted Answer

It seems like such a lie that they don't have a range for you. It's only natural that they have set aside a budget for this role.
I think you are right and it does feel sus. Recruiters shouldn't make you feel uncomfortable! 
If I were in your shoes, I would have high-balled the range using the data points from Levels.

19g6vkvllmyk3 · Answer

A startup with no clue how to hire someone or how to manage the comp conversation sounds pretty normal, unfortunately.  It is entirely possible that they actually don't have a range defined and intend to to take a reaction-based / gut-feeling approach.

Taylor · Answer

Its insane that companies ask candidates for a salary range. They know what they can pay. We don't. Why should we put the first number forward?

25g6xkw1ceyax · Answer

I think in any of these sorta situations just highball the number like someone else mentioned, depending on their reaction you'll kind of be able to tell what their range is.

No Salary Range

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