Negotiating pay when I have been out of work - 2 months and counting

A recruiter asked for my salary expectations on a first call as I look for work as a procurement assistant. I worked as a procurement assistant before this. I looked up ranges in Columbus and they vary a lot. How do you research fairly?

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.

Check several sources for pay in Columbus, then pick a range where the low end is one you can live with.