I vehemently refuse to apply for roles that state “competitive pay”. If I counted the amount of times that competitive pay turned out to be way below market rate I think I could take a month off and cover my bills still! And to rub salt in the wound, there is NO negotiating with these companies…
My approach now is to state an expected salary with a percentage margin of negotiation, and I inform them that if they offer outside of this then best not expect a reply.
Then you hop on linkedIn and see these same bloody companies and hiring specialist posturing about fair compensation and paying people what they are worth! its like watching a comedy sketch.
But yeah competitive pay.. competitive with what ? the price of beans if you bulk buy ? rant over.