[fooaway]

Well, if the offer comes in around your previous salary you can ask for more or a signing bonus to get you where you want. Otherwise, you need leverage. Without an equal opportunity otherwise, sometimes you just have to say No to the offer, if it is not competitive and keep on interviewing. They may come back later and give you what you want. However, this strategy should be balanced against the 20k you have and how far and how many interviews you've had. Expect rejection and give yourself 1-2 months.

Also, always make your own coffee and if not possible, buy drip coffee.

[pm90]

I do have a final interview at a big and well-renown company soon, and its kind of acting as leverage. I didn't mean for it, but the recruiter asked me where else I was interviewing and I was honest about it. That sped up the interview process quite a bit.

I do feel like the place is a nice one to work at. I like many of the people i interviewed with. But honestly, I'm the kind of person who dedicates a significant effort to his job. And I just want to be compensated well for it.

Honestly, having an idea of the progression of salaries of good programmers would be something I would really be interested in, just to have something to compare against. Right now, I'm out in the dark: I have to ask friends, and they are very reluctant to disclose that kind of information.

[fooaway]

Check glassdoor.com -- also check the h1b visa reports for similar companies in the area. Then add 20% or more.