How's the hunt treating you?
Contract-heavy market, I would rather anchor on the role budget than my old number. Looking for wording that does not make me sound difficult on the very first call. What actually works for you?
"I am focused on the value of this role, what range have you budgeted?" Redirect, do not refuse.
Layoff, then a genuinely rough market. I do not want to over-apologize but I also do not want to lie. What framing has worked for you without inviting a follow-up spiral?
One calm sentence + pivot: "Team was cut in a reorg, I used the time to X, and I am excited about Y." Then stop.
Senior at a no-name shop, they are offering me a mid-level title at a top product company for similar money. Ego says no, brain says the brand + scope compounds. What would you do?
Titles are local currency, they do not transfer. Scope and brand do. Take the jump.
Cringed at the playback, saw every "um" and rambling STAR story, fixed them. Nobody wants to watch themselves, which is exactly why it works. Ten minutes of tape beats an hour of reading tips.
The playback is painful and it is the single highest-ROI prep thing I have ever done.
You've reached the Mariana Trench. That's everything for now.