So I have been applying for jobs since January and two weeks ago I got pretty far with several. One rejected me for “not knowing where I want to move with my career”. Tbh I find this a really weird reason but w/e. So I had two companies left that were serious contenders. One company had a really weird procedure where I negotiated salary before ever having an interview, they offered me €3500 p/m with pretty awesome secondaries (36 days per year vacation paid). I already mentioned to them i was at least expecting €4000 but we decided to talk anyway.
In the mean time the other company was also interested in me and when the recruiter asked what I used to earn i lied and said €4000, 4 hours later they offered me €4200 and I accepted this offer.
Then I informed the first company that I will not be moving forward with my application after two interviews because the salary expectations where just to far apart. Suddenly there was more room in their budget and they wanted to know what I got offered at the other company. They ended up offering me €3800, but even with the better benefits it's not enough. I want to buy a house (maybe ever) and I need a high salary for that, benefits don't help with a mortgage.
My lesson that I wanted to share is that you should always apply to as many openings as possible and make them bid for your work, there's always more money then suggested and if possible get them to bid for your labour!