[dragonwriter]

> There's a problem with asking how much they're willing to pay up front: It's a negotiation and in order to get an actual number, you have to sell yourself first.

Only because enough people accept that to shift the power away from would-be employees. If there is really a shortage of good tech workers, as employers keep claiming, then they have the power -- all they have to do is choose to exercise it. Make the would be employers (and the recruiters acting as their agents) establish that its worth your time to even bother considering the work they want done by putting numbers on the table first.

[marktangotango]

Lately, if I can get a job description from the recruiter, I'll reply with 'I would require ${current salary * 1.1} to consider moving at this time'. Usually I get responses such 'they would go that salary for the right candidate'. Note you have to specify straight salary, not total compensation, otherwise they try to tack on all the benefits everyone offers now as 'total compensation package' BS.

[xofer]

Right -- for the right candidate. I don't buy things without vetting them first; why would I expect someone else to? The suggestion that there is some exact figure out there that you are worth is false binary thinking. There are lots of factors that make you a better or worse candidate for any particular job. The better you are at the art of feeling out the situation and presenting yourself in the best light, the better you'll do, and the more you'll realize that starting with, "What are you offering?" isn't a good tactic.

[marktangotango]

Absolutely, this just let's me know if I even want to expend energy to pursue the position.