Just throw out the number you want, after giving them the clear picture that you think they're more or less making a mistake. Go high. All they can do is count

Just throw out the number you want, after giving them the clear picture that you think they're more or less making a mistake. Go high. All they can do is counter. I've seen a salary number printed in the initial job ad. If that number doesn't work for me, I don't pursue the ad. If they ask me for a number, that's the number they get - with the observation that it was printed on the ad.