Recruiter Ghosted After Pressing for Current Total Compensation at AI Startup
A prospective AI startup founder candidate shared a frustrating experience with a headhunter who was building a founding team. The candidate was excited about the role and open to an equity-heavy offer but tried to avoid disclosing their current total compensation (TC). The recruiter insisted and was reportedly embarrassed upon learning the candidate's TC was almost equal to the startup's entire seed round. Since then, the recruiter has stopped responding, leaving the candidate wondering if disclosing their salary was a mistake. This situation highlights challenges in salary negotiation, especially when dealing with early-stage startups and equity offers.
Commenters were divided, with some praising the recruiter for saving everyone time by revealing budget constraints, while others criticized the startup's ability to compete financially. Some questioned the authenticity of the candidate's TC claim and debated the legality and ethics of asking current compensation. Others suggested the recruiter might be a contractor or speculated on the startup's future viability. Overall, the sentiment reflects skepticism toward startups with limited funds and skepticism about disclosing high salaries early in negotiations.
This post touches upon broader issues such as the complexities of salary negotiation in tech, especially within AI startups relying heavily on equity offers. It raises questions about transparency and fairness when headhunters ask for current total compensation, which can sometimes be illegal or frowned upon in certain regions. It also highlights tensions in talent acquisition when startup funding limits compensation packages, potentially leading to mismatches and candidate ghosting. These factors underscore ongoing challenges in recruiting top tech talent amid competitive and resource-constrained environments.
// The Desk Poll
Should candidates reveal current salary to startups?
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