> You argument is essentially hanging on the assertion that the first number an employer would offer is also the maximum number it could offer.
Not at all. You should expect to negotiate once they have made an offer. But your negotiating position will be better if you don't give a number first.
> in reality the hiring manager had the range like 200-250 and you asked for 210. Why would he bother to try to push you down to 200?
Because you've now anchored the negotiation at 210 as the max, and he's going to try to get you for less because this is business. He's not going to just take your first number any more than you would just accept his first offer.
Whereas if you hadn't anchored the negotiation there wouldn't be a ceiling at 210.
> On the other hand, why would he offer anything other than 200 if you did not ask?
He might not. But if he offers 200 and you have not given any number at all, you can negotiate and possibly get more than 210. Whereas if you'd given 210 first you would never get more.
Not at all. You should expect to negotiate once they have made an offer. But your negotiating position will be better if you don't give a number first.
> in reality the hiring manager had the range like 200-250 and you asked for 210. Why would he bother to try to push you down to 200?
Because you've now anchored the negotiation at 210 as the max, and he's going to try to get you for less because this is business. He's not going to just take your first number any more than you would just accept his first offer.
Whereas if you hadn't anchored the negotiation there wouldn't be a ceiling at 210.
> On the other hand, why would he offer anything other than 200 if you did not ask?
He might not. But if he offers 200 and you have not given any number at all, you can negotiate and possibly get more than 210. Whereas if you'd given 210 first you would never get more.