I'm just starting to interview again and I made it past a screening call last week.

32 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 12:11AM UTC

   Companies hope you're desperate enough to take the low ball number.

   I hope you find the best place for yourself!

2. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 12:14AM UTC

   It's not right and they should be transparent about what they pay. However, I would go dancing down the street if I could make even close to that amount of money. I'm a teacher full-time and a college adjunct; even with the two jobs, I am not even in the ballpark of making that much money. I do hope you get an offer with the salary you expect.

3. AnonymousAugust 26,2025 at 3:11AM UTC

   They were transparent and gave the range for that role. Leaves room to grow within over time with raises.

4. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 2:52AM UTC

   The job pays $125K, within their stated range.

5. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 4:02AM UTC

   Just your standard bait and switch

6. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 5:57AM UTC

   They did offer in the range of what they posted. Would your # of years experience be low, which is how they probably calculated what your salary would be?

7. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 3:25PM UTC

   I have seen companies will post a range and then state that this is the range and that likely people wouldn't hire in at the top end of the range, but this is the established range for the position. My guess is the range you saw was the full range for that position. Maybe they have some criteria for where the successful candidate would land. Did you try to negotiate? Were you currently employed (f not, unfortunately, that will fairly or not decrease your negotiating power)?

8. AnonymousAugust 26,2025 at 3:09AM UTC

   The range for the position allows them to hire you within and then opportunities for raises for that particular role. That’s what it usually means.

9. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 25,2025 at 3:42PM UTC

   They posted the salary range and then told you their target. The target was within the salary range. How is that not transparent.

10. AnonymousAugust 27,2025 at 12:34PM UTC

    Why have a range then? They should say it pays 125 on the listing.

11. AnonymousAugust 27,2025 at 2:10PM UTC

    Because they may have paid more than that to someone else with more experience. Generally companies do have a range in mind of how much they might pay someone if they check some or all of the boxes.

12. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 27,2025 at 6:32PM UTC

    Because there is always a salary range. And, by law in some states, that salary range must be posted in the job description.

    The range posted may be the range for the life of the position - which is pretty typical.

    The target for you was $125k - that doesn't mean they wouldn't offer somone else with more experience, certifications, etc. more.

    As a general rule, offers rarely come in over the mid-point of the range. Jobseekers should target the mid-point or just above or below, depending on experience.

13. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 4:10PM UTC

    What you are missing is they are being compliant and at least you found out before the end game that they only pay at the low end of the scale. They are fishing, and you caught their bait. Yes, it sucks but the laws that require salary postings are being bent by companies like them that just don't get it. If you want their job then prove to them you are worth more. Do your homework and find out why the job is open, look for salary history about the company on glassdoor and blind and other places. And ask about the other parts of compensation that are not cash, like stock. That is a multiplier with great value if the company is doing well. Good luck.

14. Elizabyth HarringtonAugust 25,2025 at 6:47PM UTC

    So yeah, this happens more often than it should and I'm not exactly sure why. It's a complete waste of time for both the hiring manager as well as the candidate. I usually try and get the salary range stuff sorted out in the initial screening call, because too often, if compensation isn't discussed until the final interview, then chances are I'm not going to be too happy with the outcome (and a lot of time will be wasted on both ends). But once in a great while someone will insist on selling me on the role and then discussing compensation - those are the roles I usually turn down.

    In the end, the only real advice I can say is to be hyperaware of your worth (and stick to it). It took me way too long to figure that out. The worst thing you can do for your self-esteem is sell yourself short. If you were worth $160K before, there's no reason to settle for $125K. I see a lot of responses here saying $125K is "within the advertised range", but so is $160K... or $165K for that matter! If they have set the upper range to $171K, then you should be asking them what in their mind defines a candidate worth $171K as opposed to $125K. And I don't buy the argument that they "HAD to have a salary range because of state requirements." That may be true, but states don't set the salary ranges. This company did set their preferred range after all - it wasn't forced on them. They could have set the higher range to $125K if that was as high as they could go.

    Whatever you do, don't just take the job at their proposed salary. You won't be happy and they eventually won't be happy either, because you'll immediately start looking for another role that pays you what you're worth.

15. AnonymousAugust 26,2025 at 1:36PM UTC

    I agree with this sentiment, but realistically, in this job market, jobs are paying significantly less for a number of reasons. Especially, because it’s an employer’s market right now. (The number of qualified applicants far outweighs the number of open (actual) positions.) Whether you are willing to take a job that pays $125K versus the at least $160K before depends on what your current financial situation is. (A function of savings, how long you’ve been out of work if at all, support from others, etc. - and your level of optimism that the right job that will pay you at least $160K will come along soon.) I wish you the best of luck in your search & in making the decision that is right for you & your situation at this time!

16. C. GarrabrantAugust 26,2025 at 12:17PM UTC

    The listing is not just for salary but also combination of benefits and bonus, so the pay might be $125k but with the benefits it goes up to possibility $171k.

17. Danielle Peterson, MBAAugust 26,2025 at 1:28PM UTC

    If it’s listed as total compensation, that is true, but salary is salary.

18. AnonymousAugust 26,2025 at 12:45PM UTC

    I had a phone screen yesterday and the recruiter shared the salary range on the call and noted that several factors influence where the offer lands on that range. Some were predictable: experience, location but she also mentioned 'scarcity of talent' which is one I hadn't previously heard articulated.

19. Krystin MorganAugust 26,2025 at 7:19PM UTC

    I can't speak to exactly what this company is doing, but one thing that's common (albeit confusing) is that companies post the full, long-term pay range. That means that they might pay the high range for someone who's been in the role for a few years and has mastered everything, while they're really only open to paying the bottom half of the range to a new hire. Ideally, if they do this, they would explain it, but that doesn't always happen.

20. Betty WarrickAugust 27,2025 at 12:42PM UTC

    Right. Perhaps even an internal transfer would get higher because they are a known entity and familiar with the company.

21. AnonymousAugust 27,2025 at 2:23PM UTC

    I’ve been interviewing for almost 2 months since a lay off .. but I’m only getting calls on roles about $20-40k lower than I was making .. is the “range” within what I was making yes, but when they share what they’re targeting it usually at the low end. I would take the interview as far as it’ll go and maybe try to negotiate to $130-$135k maybe with bonus. Otherwise $125k ain’t bad in this economy but I guess that’s for you to decide.

22. AnonymousAugust 27,2025 at 2:33PM UTC

    In addition to being compliant with state requirements for salary transparency, they may be listing such a wide range to account for different geographical locations and pay zones. For example, the California Bay Area is a Pay Zone 1, whereas the Midwest Chicago is Pay Zone 3, and the Southeast Louisville is Pay Zone 5. Basically, it's based on the cost of living for the city in which the applicant/employee resides.

23. Kerry RoperAugust 27,2025 at 2:53PM UTC

    If you’re looking and still working- you can negotiate with an upper hand, but if you’re not working, you have to weigh the possibility of not earning anything for a few months if this was to be your only option. (Take the only option, if you’re offered it, and continue your search, or see if you think the role is correctly paid for the duties and functions it entails). If you want better negotiating power tell them youre engaging in freelance or contract work while you’re doing your search for a permanent post. Only by interviewing will you find out more details, phone screening is only the first step. You could learn from interviewing that this isn’t a good match, that they are low balling you, or they are indeed using a bait and switch. That would make me less inclined to want to continue the process, as they will only continue to try to devalue you. How long were you at your last job? What industry? These are all factors that make up your last salary. But taking a cut is not something I’d recommend. When you take a cut, it could set a bad precedent for your future earnings, ESPECIALLY if YOU’RE transparent in negotiating.

24. AnonymousAugust 27,2025 at 2:58PM UTC

    Maybe the $125k is the starting salary or the base without the benefits and with benefits it reaches the $171. You also should think about you probably didn't start at 160 at your last job you had to work your way up to that. No one starts at the top

25. LisaAugust 27,2025 at 3:52PM UTC

    Is it a remote opportunity? Is so, the pay is based on where you live, thus the large range in salary.

26. AnonymousAugust 28,2025 at 12:48PM UTC

    I want to say, be grateful for what you have and what you had offend to you. I have been job searching for 2 years with no luck. I feel very stuck in my current position in a toxic environment. Also, may I add you make 100K more than me. Good luck

27. AnonymousAugust 28,2025 at 1:00PM UTC

    That is not at all helpful. I am sorry for your situation, but you should keep your comments on point and constructive.

28. Vicki SullivanAugust 28,2025 at 1:03PM UTC

    I agree, it can seem disingenuous. Salary ranges are very broad to give the employer maximum flexibility. I suggest that you to target jobs where the target salary is closer to the minimum or mid-point of the published range.

29. AnonymousAugust 28,2025 at 2:32PM UTC

    I'd recommend doing the research for the position for your area ahead of time, so you will know before they ask you about salary expectations what they actually are for the specific position and industry that you are applying for, especially when considering your industry experience and knowledge that way if they offer you a salary that you know is way low you can either say something like "I've done my research for this position in this area and I know that with my personal experience and knowledge that it's actually worth $X which is much higher than the $Y you are offering me. That way they can either counter closer to what you know the position is worth for someone like yourself or they will move forward with a different candidate.

    Never lower your standards or expectations when it comes to salary expectations or other non-negotiables with a potential employer.

30. HollyAugust 29,2025 at 2:29AM UTC

    I’ve encountered this with at least 70% of the roles I’ve applied to. Sometimes you get lucky and the company will provide a disclaimer about the stated salary range “represents the full range over the life of the role” or “we allow room for employees to grow.” They might even say that “the range for the position is X, but the expected range for a new employee is Y.”

    The best advice I can give you is that you should assume that the top of the posted range (especially if there is $15K or more difference between top and bottom) is realistically not going to be offered at any point.

31. OLIVIA JOHNSONAugust 29,2025 at 3:57PM UTC

    Hi there,

    Though this is disheartening, there are several reasons that there are ranges and sometimes wide ranges in salary disclosures. Obvious reasons are the unknowns of candidate experience, knowledge, years in the field, etc. Someone more junior may get the lower end of the range and the more experience the higher up in the range.

    Now I agree the explanation provided was not the best and it is true that some just don't know what to put but I want to refocus the situation to still continuing on with the process and awaiting to see what is offered. Then based on that offer, evaluate the full compensation package and then counter the offer and negotiate.

    Keep a few things in mind as I see this often in offer negotiations...you want to be sure to compare apples to apples...

    • Is the new role remote or hybrid vs the old role that was onsite and required commute (time & money)?
    • Are there better retirement planning options?
    • Is there a better healthcare plan(s)?
    • Any other perks, i.e. tuition reimbursement and you were looking to advance or upskill?
    • Is this an advancement in job title?

    A cut in expenses is also an increase in usable income!

    I hope this helps!

    Coach Olivia

32. AnonymousAugust 31,2025 at 5:21AM UTC

    The salary range mentioned is to accommodate for the cost of living in certain places. They may not offer the higher end in many places.