Last week I received a direct message on LinkedIn from a FAANG recruiter. They wanted to discuss a role they felt was perfect given my experience. Interested, I messaged them back with a date to talk and my resume, and we scheduled a meeting. Exciting stuff!
Fast forward one week and we have the Zoom interview. Things went very well, they asked me about my background and the other usual questions, along with the job details. It was a remote position within their engineering team that was “growing like crazy,” as they described, and expressed how my experience would be a good fit for the role. It also sounded like a good move for my career, so I was definitely on board so far.
The recruiter then asks me if I had any questions. Not wanting to waste time, I went straight for the jugular: “This sounds like a great time to join [COMPANY NAME] with all the growth happening! May I ask what the budgeted salary is for this role?”
Their response? “Well, we don't like to disclose that information up front…”
I silently groan at their rebuttal.
I've been fed this BS multiple times in the past, and immediately knew they were going to give me the canned runaround response. I wanted to hang up right then and there while they were running their mouth about “needing to speak with the hiring manager” and blah blah blah. In the heat of the moment, I decided… fuck it, what do I have to lose?
“Let me stop you right there.” I said, raising my hand, interrupting them.
“I'm afraid that's not how this works. You don't get to request my time, ask all these questions about myself, and then refuse to answer my questions about the job.” I snapped back.
The recruiter stammered for a second. “Well, we need to know if you're a right fit before we're able to reveal that information…”
I rolled my eyes. In the most calm and professional manner I could, I replied:
“YOU reached out to ME saying how impressed you were with my experience. As I recall, it was YOU who requested this interview, and YOU who said that your engineering department was 'growing like crazy.' Plus, you literally told me not 5 minutes ago how much you liked my experience. So, according to you, I AM a good fit for this role.”
So far, silence from the recruiter. I continued.
“Based on everything you've said so far, here's how I understand it: there are plenty of open positions, and you're trying meet your quota. I, however, am already gainfully employed. I have no need to search for another job. YOU are more desperate to fill these jobs than I am trying to find one. With that said, you don't get to pick and choose which questions you want to answer from candidates.”
Still nothing but silence from the recruiter. I continued.
“So, out of respect for both of our time, I will ask you once more: What is the salary for this role?”
There's a solid 4-5 seconds of silence before they replied, “…You know what, I don't feel comfortable answering that question. Is there anything else I can answer?”
I moved my mouse over the “Leave Meeting” button, “Nothing further. Have a wonderful day.” and immediately closed it.
I wonder if I should send them the link to r/ChoosingBeggars? LOL
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EDIT: I originally wrote “this week” at the start, when it was actually last week. My mistake.