After lowballing myself and ending up working for some time for a lot less than what a friend of mine got for exactly the same position many moons ago, I started to just not give my number.

I’d typically explain in a friendly, non-threatening way how I’m sure they have a pay scale and pay ranges for particular positions, so why don’t we start with where they see me.

They’d usually push on a bit, and I’d stay friendly but resolute. You can always spin it in a way that “I really like what I’ve seen so far, so it’s not about the numbers. I’m flexible, I wouldn’t want you to pass on me just because of some random number I might say.”

For me this has worked wonders. Every single time I would’ve low balled myself. Highly recommended.

It’s a stupid game. You can totally opt to just not play it.