reasonable salary requirement Is it or is it not reasonable to expect to receive at least as much as one was making at one's previous employer when the new position is the same job (with even more responsibility)?

you can ask for it, but your previous salary has little to no bearing on what an employer has budgeted for a postion. if you look to them to be an extremely strong candidate they may bend, but dont count on it.

which is why I always refuse to offer up my "salary history"

they asked me for a minimum requirement I based it on my previous salary, trusting they'd use that as a pre-screening to determine whether or not to even put me through the interview process. I've now gone through the process and the recruiter mentioned their offer will probably be lower. WTF?

Simple solution offer to lower your job preformance

that's what's fascinating to me Everything about this company is a "wow" - everybody has been wonderful, the interviews went great, it seemed like a wonderful place to work...and now I find out they're low-balling on the salary even after I made it clear what my minimum requirement was. And the minimum I requested is already under what this position averages nationally for years of experience, skills and advanced degrees in this field. Leaves me feeling less than good about this employer and the services they sell.

Bait-n-switch It sounds to me as if the recuiter got your requirements, eluded you into thinking it was a match, spent your time and the employer's time putting you through the process, and now wants to get paid even though it's not a match and just hopes you won't feel misled, or you'll be desperate enough to accept the low offer. If it were me, I'd walk from that, unless you feel you can negotiate your way back up to what you want. On the other hand, I haven't been looking for work in this tough job market. Many people are taking lower-paying positions, planning to bail as soon as the market turns. What can you afford to do? Can you float for awhile while you gather additional companies to interview with?

and your post helps how, exactly?

Excuse Me? I Am the Infamous HHP, I Need Not explain myself to yew. The real question is, "Who Are You?"

Not to worry, he's just messing with me. My world is filled with typos and social faux pas today, according to my fan club in other forums. Particularly with regard to how people should avoid discussion in RR, and something zany to do with a spud launcher. I'm having an oh-so-off day. Here's your $1.50, HHP.

Good News, Boz. Seems U Have $2.50 Credit So I owe you $1 LOL, see you later, I gots to go. Feel better, B!

low balling Most companies are low balling now cause they know they can get some greasy mexican to do it for that much.

Except For 1 Person, Everyone Here Is On Track Employers are looking to save money; they know people will take a job just to have one. Those with jobs won't take a cut. Those who are highly trained professionals who would normally not need to take a cut are experiencing the same- what was $140K is now $120K, what was $160K is now $140K. Companies like Honeywell put it out months ago they are cutting all salaries 10%. So perhaps your choice is more obvious than you know.

I would tend to agree, except that this company is one of the few experiencing exponential growth. In fact, this position was *created* because their business is growing so quickly.

O? Is That Y the Offer Will Be Cheap Charlied? You are not making any sense. The Offer, you are concerned, may be less than standard. Now, are YOU going to be the one to explain to the employment agency consultant you want standard rates? Bravo if you do. You've wasted our time if you don't. And you knew the choices before coming here. So the question is, "...and your post helps how, exactly?..." If you want a cheering section, this is the place. If you wanted third choices, there never was one. And as I said, you knew that coming in the door. What's really sad is that your poor excuse for an employment agency consultant won't be sure to get you the most possible by negotiating for you. That is what we do. We get the salary straight first, then the Offer is extended. For your agency consultant to leave you hanging means they got no balls or don't know how to do their job. Prolly both.

Where does executive pay come from Doesn't matter about the growth. The primary reason your pay will be lowered is so the guy at the top can cash in a bigger check. Where do people think that executive pay comes from?