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Comment by sklivvz1971 | Hacker News Reader

sklivvz1971

Here's the thing:

- the candidate has a range of salary they expect or need

- the company has a range of salaries that they can pay

If these don't overlap there's no point going forward unless the range of the company is higher.

If these do overlap, it's worthwhile proceeding. Then it's a matter of skill. If you apply and ask for the top range in my salary band, and you are truly exceptional, I'll do my best to match it. But the ask needs to be commensurate to the skills you demonstrate in the interviews. The higher the ask, the stricter the criteria to match.

If you get to the end of the process without disclosing the salary, and you pass all interviews, I'll offer you for what I think you are worth. If you have an ask and did not disclose it, you might have just wasted everybody's time.

Believe it or not, negotiating a salary higher than your worth is a terrible idea. It might sound good, but it sets you up for failure.

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Nothing is more insulting to someone than knowing in advance that their expectations are far beyond your own, putting them through hours of interviews, then offering half the salary they asked for plus funny money equity.

I try to be as up front as possible with my expectations, but I've also got the seniority / experience to match what I'm asking for. Yet, people still try to low ball me as if I'm making up numbers.

I made the mistake once of taking a job after they low balled me, then met my asking salary after I flatly said no.

If you ask for a specific number or a range, and they offer you below that range, just walk away. Even if they come back with what you wanted, they'll resent your salary and have inflated expectations above reality. They've already demonstrated they didn't take you seriously. Just walk away.

Even if they come back with what you wanted, they'll resent your salary and have inflated expectations above reality

that is something i worry about when i see a high offer. in part it's imposter syndrome, but also a lot of job descriptions are like we want the best, and you are super fast and an excellent this and perfect that, able to work in a high pressure environment, etc.

these claims are so meaningless. they don't tell me anything about what it is really like to work there.

who really wants to work in a high pressure environment with the expectation to be a rock star developer?

This really depends on the company. If they have interviewed you and made an offer, then it is only a question of whether you think they got to know you.

Personally, I like small companies / startups with a bit more pressure. People focus more on getting things done than playing politics and bike shedding. I can absolutely understand it is not for everyone though.

With regards to what you quoted, I was referring to the scenario where their initial offer was below your expectations, you said no, and they made a second offer that met your expectations. In this case, you're right, there is no way that you and the company have the same view of the monetary worth of your contributions. The well has been poisoned from the start.

i have worked in startups, and i don't mind the pressure that comes from the high risk a startup is taking, but when i see a 500+ employee company with a job ad that says "you strive in a high pressure environment", then i wonder just what kind of pressure they are talking about.

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