You should never post your salary expectations anywhere. Most major job boards ask you what you are looking for and most give you the option not to say or to say "negotiable". Never say what you are looking to make.

The reasoning for this is that a recruiter is thinking of a number. If you are too high above that number he will disqualify you based on salary. If you are too low, he may question how well you understand the market and know your worth. He may also doubt how good you are.

A very low salary for a very experienced professional is a red flag. It also places you at a negotiating disadvantage especially in contract rate negotiations. Permanent recruiters will probably try to get you to ask for the highest salary because this way it becomes a win-win situation. On the other hand, the more a recruiter can push you down on a contract, the bigger margin he can take from the client.

It's a dog eat dog world whether we are working in a recession or the boom times. Never give away your hand first. Make the recruiter quote you first and go from there.

Article by, Boston Technical Recruiter

Courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates seeking entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Originally posted on I-Careersearch