Long story short I work in the news industry in a smallish city. I was contacted by the station in the largest city in my state.
I interviewed with them and asked how much they could pay. They offered me $40k.
I calmly explained that I made $45k at the moment. I told the interview, “This is a bigger market, this is a more expensive city, and you’re asking me to work a weekend which typically comes with a bump in pay. You’re offering me less and I’d already be taking a pay cut via cost of living. That first digit needs to be at least a 5 or I can’t even consider it.”
A week later they called me and said they couldn’t do 50k. I told them to take my name out of the running, but to reach out if their budget changes.