Career Advice

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Last updated August 26, 2026

Negotiating Through a Recruiter vs. Directly With a Hiring Manager

TL;DR: The dynamics differ slightly depending on who you're negotiating with.

Recruiters often have more flexibility on process

They can sometimes move faster on logistics, but usually still need hiring manager or HR sign-off on major compensation changes.

Keep your ask consistent across both

If you're talking to both a recruiter and a hiring manager, make sure your stated expectations are consistent to avoid confusion.

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