A company that is struggling to fill all the jobs they need filled doesn't have much of a bargaining position to begin with. May as well get it out of the way a

A company that is struggling to fill all the jobs they need filled doesn't have much of a bargaining position to begin with. May as well get it out of the way and save everyone some time if it is found to not agreeable. Imagine going through several interviews and then still told "we can't afford you". In fact, companies that are struggling to find people should be advertising how much they can pay right from the job ad. If it is sufficient, it will help attract the talent they seek. Plenty of developers don't bother looking for new work because they believe, rightly or wrongly, it means taking a pay cut. If not sufficient, at least everyone can be saved the effort of trying. You're not McDonalds who has a new applicant to hire every five minutes. You can't play by their rules.