So I spoke to a recruiter and told them exactly what I expected to be paid.
He said he had a job for me.
They were told what I wanted to be paid before the interview.
In the interview they asked what I was earning (complete fucking audacious question that deserves a fabricated answer every single time)
I told them 10k more than I earn
They asked what I wanted to earn.
I told them 20k more than I expect to get.
They say we will see if we can do it and come back to you.
First interview was 90 minutes long.
2 weeks go by. Then they say they want to meet again.
Another 60 minute interview.
At the very end they offer me what they originally priced the job at. 20,000 less than what I told the recruiter I wanted originally.
If I manage to hit their budget (which I found out through my connection at the company is extremely difficult to do) then I would still earn 20,000 less than what I told them was an expectation before the interviewing process begun.
They said it was a negotiation.
Then I sent a counter offer that night.
Asked for .5% more commission to try and make up the difference and to give them piece of mind that I was ambitious. Thought it was a good compromise.
2.5 weeks later nothing, they say they will let me know over and over.
3 weeks and they tell my recruiter that they’ve hired someone else.
At the very start I asked for what I wanted. Then they interviewed me not once but twice knowing what I wanted. Then made me wait over a month to tell me no through my recruiter.
I honestly have no words. Just fucking how it is hey
Edit:
Thank you for the coins whoever did that