Negotiating pay when I have been out of work, payroll clerk here

I do not know whether to give a range or ask for theirs. This is my first time dealing with any of this. I also do not want to sell myself short. How do you research fairly?

Asking about the range for the role first worked for me. Some recruiters share it.

I gave a range based on local postings and said I was flexible depending on the whole package. They did not push back.