[yuppie_scum]

See if you can string along the hiring manager. It’s so hard to hire right now they may be pretty desperate. Get him or her all worked up and excited. Then when it becomes obvious that the budget is the only thing standing between him/her getting some sorely needed help or not, he or she will be very sympathetic and probably spend some time pleading on your behalf with the powers that be.

Of course some companies are just never going to “get it” and they’ll all end up suffering as a result.

[slyzmud]

That's a great strategy. I'm having the negotiation with the recruiter and I've just talked with the hiring manager for the behavioral interview, it went really well. I hope he might want me enough in the team to do something about.

[throwaway81523]

I don't think I'd pursue that approach. The figure they named signalled their expectations. I think it's best to just say you're too far apart and that you're going to move on, and do so. If they want to come back with another offer, they can, but their initial number was a non-starter.

[sokoloff]

Have to agree with this. It’s not just this year’s comp to worry about. If they think your best alternative competes against $45K, what’s the prospect for your future raises? And stock grants?