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".

  • HighestDifficulty [he/him]
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    edit-2
    4 years ago

    Again all great advice here but you should actually look into or be aware of what your requirements are and what your expectations are in the future. Work out all you expenses, and really push the limit on the lifestyle you want. Look in to how much you want to save on top of that. Then add another 10-15% and say the words "my requirements put me at around x amount" and maybe some spiel about how you understand they work within a band so you're still flexible within a reasonable degree as long as there is opportunity for progressing.

    Then ask them what they're expecting to output on wages for the role. From there you can form a definitive answer to their question.