I would only want to start with an opening price if I was fairly certain what the offer range would be. Without that info you may just hard-bargain yourself a

I would only want to start with an opening price if I was fairly certain what the offer range would be. Without that info you may just hard-bargain yourself a lower salary. If you ask for something that is totally out of line with the expected range then you do risk an employer writing you off as too expensive. In my experience though, if an employer wants you and you ask for too much - they'll usually at least tell you what their upper limit is and give you a chance to consider it.