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When going for a new job a recruiter may ask you to name your salary requirements way before the negotiations take place—really way before they should be asking. In my experience, the longer delayed the negotiations conversation, the better the outcome for both the candidates and the company. In the event that a recruiter asks you to throw out your number before providing the range the company is willing to pay, you need to have a strategy.
Many people believe that it’s best to play it safe and throw out a low number just to make sure they don’t scare off the recruiter. This way of doing things seems safe but it’s only safe on the surface.
If the salary you put out there is worryingly low, meaning it’s quite out of touch with what that role should pay, you may be turning the recruiter off. If the recruiter is ready to pay you $65k and you ask for $40k, you don’t necessarily appear to be a bargain for the company. Rather, you appear to be an inappropriate hire for the role. If your work is valued at $40k, than you’re work is not at the level of what the recruiter is seeking. So before you shy away from putting out a higher number, remember that putting out a low number can knock you out of the running.
It’s time to reconsider your value.