Jobs are less cookie cutter than your post implies though, especially at the higher levels. Personal example - my last job (hedge fund) really wanted me. It to

Jobs are less cookie cutter than your post implies though, especially at the higher levels. Personal example - my last job (hedge fund) really wanted me. It took them forever to find someone of my profile - a mix of background, technical skills, domain knowledge, and personality so they wanted to have me. The way they set my salary was like this: they looked at what I was making and added enough on top that I couldn't refuse. The first and last conversation we had about money was at the end of the interview process when they made me a really good offer. I didn't bother negotiating. If I asked them during the 1st call what the salary was, they wouldn't be able to say because the salary was based on how much they wanted me and my circumstances. You can think that's inequitable and that's valid, but from a persona standpoint I'd be a fool if I had ended the conversation at that time.