[johnward]

I usually follow all of these. The one thing that gets me is when a recruiter calls me up. I usually talk to them because I don't want to be a dick and you never know they my actually be valuable one day. I tell them my salary. "oh well this one pays about 70% of that and it's an 8 month contract. I'd like to put you in for this". I'm not leaving a full time position for a contract position with less pay. I might consider a contract position at about 150-200% of my current pay.

[bhayden]

I find telling recruiters my salary is a really bad idea. They then tell the company I am applying to what my salary is, which is a really shitty way to start off salary negotiations. I actually just don't work with recruiters anymore due to such a shitty experience.

[johnward]

Yeah my new rule of thumb is to avoid telling them what I make and try to tell them what it will take for me to leave my current position. I think I'm underpaid so I don't want to start by telling them how underpaid I am.

[sukilot]

You can tell them a high target that would absolutely get your interest in the job. If it hits, great next step in your career. If it misses, no skin off your back.

[mgkimsal]

Either lie about your salary, or give them a higher target. For FTE, I give recruiters a decidedly large number. It's not undoable in this region - I know a few people in that range - but it's generally high enough that they (occasionally) laugh at me. But I did have someone get back and say they could get to about 80% of that, which was a good starting point (ultimately didn't land the position, but probably would have taken it at the time).

[dennisgorelik]

Do NOT lie about your salary.

You do not have to tell your salary, but lying - is bad for carma.

Telling your salary target is a good idea that saves time for everyone involved, but it should be clearly outlined as a target, not as your current salary.

[mgkimsal]

on second glance, I tend to agree, but I would never disclose my current salary anyway. I have lied in the past, although the 'lie' was... more combining external benefits for a slight inflation of base pay.

But... just never bother telling your current salary. It doesn't help you in dealing with recruiters at all.

"$x is what will make me consider a new position" is all you need to say.

[s73v3r]

In my recent round of looking for work, the first thing I've asked the recruiter is what the pay range for the job is, and almost all of them have given it.