from Hacker News

I conducted 60 interviews in 2 months – here's what I learned

by htk on 12/25/24, 2:59 PM with 3 comments

  • by austin-cheney on 12/25/24, 3:21 PM

    So, do your research on reasonable salaries for your level of experience, and aim slightly above that.

    Salaries set expectations in both directions. Salaries are just numbers but expectations aren’t always clear. Had I learned during the interview process of the last job that 85% of the application lived in SQL and there was no automation I would have not taken the job.

    Now I play it safe. I set expectations low with a number around 40% of the range, just below average. It, coupled with my trillions of years experience, says you won’t have to hold my hand and in return I expect to do very little work. It’s an implicit don’t waste my time and I won’t waste yours kind of thing. Also implicit is that no hiring me will cost you much more in both time and money.