All profit is based on exploitation. Surplus value is extracted in absolute and relative terms. Absolute surplus value is increasing the amount of time worked per worker. Relative surplus value is extracted by reducing wages or increasing productivity and intensity.

With that orientation explicitly stated, I work in tech and I find discussing salary extremely difficult. Recruiters and hiring managers ask: "What is your salary expectation?" I have no idea how to respond and because I am desperate for a job, respond with what my friends later tell me is "a low ball". It is a wild wild west, with ignorant HR people looking for buzzwords, unrealistic tech stacks, and a lot of bait and switch.

How to approach salary questions? Should I give them a number first? My neoliberal friends tell me "how much value you think you generate", and I respond "enough so I don't have to work anymore".

    • butt [they/them]
      ·
      4 years ago

      This is good. Also, if you're willing to walk away from an offer, even better. That pisses off recruiters, which is a nice bonus

    • Awoo [she/her]
      ·
      4 years ago

      I read a study once that said the person that provides a number first in a negotiation ends up with a result closer to that number than the number provided second.

      By this logic you should put your expectation on the table (well beyond what you think is reasonable) and then have them rein it in with their number.

      In reality a lot of these companies already know what number they're willing to pay when they sit down and they won't go over that but will go under it if the person they want to employ lets them. While they won't go over it they will however put other benefits on the table or offer to raise the pay if a certain target is met within x time frame.