Five deflections for the moment salary comes up on a phone screen. Each deflects without sounding evasive.
How It Works
Five scripts. Use the one that matches your comfort and context. None of them commit a number. All of them flip the question back to the recruiter politely.
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Five Deflection Scripts
Pick the one that fits your comfort level. Copy, rehearse, use.
Deflection 1The Range Flip
Use when you want them to reveal their range first.
"I'd rather learn more about the scope before anchoring on a specific number. Can you share the range you've budgeted for this role?"
Rules
Works on 80% of recruiters. They are prepared to share the range.
If they push back and insist you name a number first, use Deflection 2.
Deflection 2The Market Frame
Use when they insist you name a number.
"I know what the market rate is for this kind of role, so I'm confident we'll align. I'd rather confirm the scope first to make sure we're talking about the same role before naming a figure."
Rules
"Market rate" signals you have done research. Do it - check Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and trade salary surveys.
The scope question buys you time and information.
Deflection 3The Package Frame
Use when they are mostly focused on base salary.
"I look at total comp - base, bonus, and any equivalent - rather than base alone. Can you walk me through how the whole package is structured here?"
Rules
Shifts from base to total comp, which is the right frame.
Often surfaces components (sign-on, bonus structure, PTO) they would not have mentioned.
Deflection 4The Target-Floor Move
Use when you absolutely must name a number (some recruiters are mandated to collect one).
"Based on what I know about the role and the market, I'd target the upper end of [range you've researched]. That said, the full package and scope matter more to me than the base alone."
Rules
"Upper end" anchors at the high side of market data - not the low.
The "full package" caveat leaves room to negotiate other levers later.
Deflection 5The Recency Frame
Use when you have a recent offer that set a floor you want to protect.
"I recently had another process get to the offer stage at [range or 'a specific number I'm comfortable sharing later'], so that gives me a useful floor. I'd like to understand this role's scope before naming an exact target."
Rules
Only use if true. Fabricating competing offers will kick back hard.
Sets an implied floor without naming the number directly.
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