And I'm just…confused and sad for her?
I was explaining how one of my friends is going through a divorce and is looking for a higher paying job. One place asked for her salary range and she said something like $17-$20. After two interviews they offered her $19. She replied and said she appreciated the offer, would love to work for them, and asked if they had capacity for $20 an hour. They replied by dropping their offer to $18.50.
The girl I was talking to last night said she agreed with the employer, and that my friend is rude and disrespectful. Throughout the conversation she told me that you shouldn't ask for more money, she gave a range and they offered her something in that range so she should have just taken it, this shows that no one wants to work anymore etc. The one that shocked me most is she said that employers don't know how much they can pay someone which is why they ask the potential employee for a range…what???
I was baffled, and honestly felt sorry for her. She's a single mom with two teens living in a small two bedroom apartment barely scraping by, she's told me before that her parents have to help her out often with bills. Why would you defend an employer playing games with someone's wage? Why do you think you have to be in a position to just be greatful for whatever they offer? I tried to explain that I've negotiated salary in every adult job I've had except my first one because I didn't know any better, and she said I'm the outlier and that's typically frowned upon. Maybe it's generational, I'm about 10 years younger than her, but now all I can think of is the opportunities she's missing out on because she won't advocate for herself.