ALT Reddit post: I purposefully tanked my job interview when they tried to lowball me on salary. Applied for this great sounding job with salary range $X-Y. Recruiter did a phone interview and asked what my salary expectations are and I used the usual "after reviewing average pay for this role in our area I would be agreeable to this position for $Y". I then got called in for an in-person interview having been told I'd impressed the recruiter. Toward the end of the interview they said "ok well we'd like to offer you the position, but given your experience level we're only going to offer $X". I was feeling cheeky so I told them "ok, I was told this role would pay $Y but sure, I could put in $X amount of effort instead." They kind of laughed as if I was joking but when I kept a straight face they were like "are you serious?" and I said "Well yeah, if you're gonna pay me on the low end of the scale l'd be an idiot to do the high end of the work, wouldn't I?"