How to Respond When a Recruiter Asks About Your Salary

How to Respond When a Recruiter Asks About Your Salary

As a young recruiter, I asked candidates one question all the time: “What’s your salary?”

Back then, it felt normal. As a job seeker, I now know how uncomfortable that question can be. And here’s the truth many candidates don’t realize: in many cases, companies shouldn’t be asking about your current or past salary at all.

Why the Salary Question Is a Problem

Your salary is confidential information. It reflects your previous company’s policies, not your value in a new role.

Yet many candidates feel pressured to answer because:

• they don’t want to seem difficult

• they’re afraid of losing the opportunity

• the question comes early, before trust is built

As a result, they share a number that:

• anchors the offer too low

• weakens their negotiating position

• has nothing to do with the budget for the role

The Best Response I’ve Ever Heard (as a Recruiter)

Most candidates shared their numbers under pressure. Until one didn’t.

They calmly replied: “I’m bound by a confidentiality clause in my current or past contract, so I can’t share this detail. However, I’d really appreciate it if you could share the budget allocated for this role.”

From a recruiter’s perspective, that was gold.

Why?

• I couldn’t push them to break confidentiality

• The conversation shifted from their past to this role’s value

• The power dynamic changed immediately

And yes, it was completely professional.

Why This Answer Works So Well

This response does three important things:

1. Sets a clear boundary. You’re not refusing, you’re explaining why you can’t share.

2. Keeps the conversation constructive. You redirect instead of shutting it down.

3. Forces transparency. If a company has a real budget, this brings it to the surface.

Most importantly: it stops your past salary from defining your future offer.

When You Should Use This Response

This approach is especially useful when:

• the salary question comes early

• the recruiter hasn’t shared a range yet

• you suspect your current salary is below market

It also signals something valuable: you understand how hiring works, and you respect yourself as a professional.

Final Advice from a Recruiter

You don’t owe anyone access to confidential information.

A good hiring process focuses on:

• role scope

• impact

• market value

• mutual fit

Not on how little or how much you earned before.

Next time a recruiter asks about your salary, use this response and watch the conversation change.