&gt; Recruiters are often paid x% of one year&#x27;s base salary. In this case, your interests are aligned with the interest of the recruiter.<p>This is often true, but not exactly true. Freakanomics has a study on something similar, real estate agents. See <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=17jO_w6f8Ck" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=17jO_w6f8Ck</a><p>The difference between you making 130k and 150k may only be 2k difference for the recruiter, which in the interest of getting the job filled is very small. However to YOU, the difference is 20k which can be life altering.