Another tip applies when you're interviewing at a company where they have a dedicated HR person who you talk to about salary (in other words you are not negotia

Another tip applies when you're interviewing at a company where they have a dedicated HR person who you talk to about salary (in other words you are not negotiating salary with the person who will actually be your boss or the owner) In that case there is a good chance that person is an internal recruiter and they may get a bonus based on number of hires they bring in. So if the company decided they want to hire you - this recruiter is very motivated to get you to accept. They will be bound by policy as far as what numbers they can give out without you asking for more. But they really don't really care how high your salary will be (unlike for example your boss or the owner might). If this is the situation then you really have nothing to lose by going way, way high with your salary request. The worst that will happen is the recruiter will just have to name their highest price they are allowed to go and hope you will accept. I can't think of any situation where a prospective employee named a price and we said "oh they're way too expensive, let's not insult them with a counter-offer." We always make our best counter-offer and hope the person accepts it.