<prompt> Human: I am currently at a Fortune 500 company and very well compensated for my experience and skillset. Good base salary, 35 bonus, and 40 yearly RSU grants, 401k match fully vested. I was grandfathered into this high paygrade based on a high title from the 200-person company I was working at that was acquired 2 years ago, and received a large salarybenefits bump to match the same title at the larger company. I moved up very quickly at the original company so there is a mismatch in title and years of experience. A consolidation of multiple sites is guaranteed in 3-4 years, and while Im well respected at my site, I dont know how my site as a whole will do.I am looking for a change, primarily based on poor outlook of the current company, though not 100 convinced it is the right move, based on good current total comp, and doubts about my evaluation of outlook. If I do move, it will be to a small company and I have already interviewed at a 2 yr old startup. There is a very good mutual fit and a HR call is scheduled. Im lost as to how to negotiate compensation or how to answer if they ask my expectations. I have not disclosed any details about current comp.If I told them my total comp or asked for something above it, they would rightfully balk. Realistically, based on market research, they will probably come in at base salary about equal to my current base salary, and I would maybe be able to negotiate to my current base salary 10-20, but want to try to maximize this. There will also be equity, which I dont plan to factor in.I dont feel comfortable saying For X current base 30-40, I will accept because Im still not fully convinced that I want to make the move if they actually meet it. To complicate things, if I stay, there will soon be a title change -- no change in compensationresponsibilities, but for political reasons I have to switch the career track Im on and the new title will look like a demotion, which would hurt future job searches. Any ideas on how to approach salary negotiations, or how to ask if they ask what I am looking for or expecting?tldr: Very lucky situation with very good comp way above my experience level. Not sure about future prospects of the company, and need to know how to negotiate salary with a new opportunity at company where I expect to take a paycut. Especially not sure how to answer expected salary if they ask.  <response>: Dont use your current compensation package directly as a negotiating tool. You dont want to turn this into a race to the bottom where the future employer tries to feel out the minimum amount of compensation it takes to get you to say yes.Your current compensation package is only relevant to you, not them. Dont give them any details.You can of course explain the predicament youre in in a general sense i.e. youre very interested in making a career move for non-financial reasons, but financial reasons are likely to make that difficult to justify since youre expecting there to likely be a financial trade-off that you struggle with. This general sentiment is all it takes to set the expectation that youre open to the idea of a career move, but you wont come cheap and arent looking to leave things on the table purely for the sake of the non-financial benefits without careful consideration.And for that matter, you shouldnt come cheap. You have impostor syndrome, big time.You make it sound like your salary is pure luck, and dont get me wrong, youre certainly very fortunate to be in the position you are thanks to some unique circumstances, but the fact of the matter is that youre there, and youre handling it. Maybe you got fast-tracked by fortunate circumstances, but now youre ahead, and youve proven that you can be where you are. Why do you still doubt your own ability to contribute at the level in which youre literally already contributing?Your value shouldnt be directly tied to years of experience. If youre relatively inexperienced compared to the other senior people or whatever they call it in your organization, so what? Can you keep up with them and contribute to the team? If so, congrats, youre a senior and you deserve whatever theyre paying you.You seem to be viewing this exactly the opposite way as you should. Youre worried that the start-up is going to think youre a fraud and try to lowball you. Id say its exactly the opposite. Theyre likely interested in you specifically because of the position youre in. They think youre a rock star because of your demonstrated experience. Theyre probably already thinking to themselves this is a strong candidate, and we we want him or her, were going to have to make a strong offer.Youre in the best position you can possibly be in to look around for greener pastures. Youre already in an extremely green pasture. Dont aim down, aim up. Dont assume that you have to settle, because you dont have to. There are start-up companies willing to pay for your kind of talent. Maybe its not this exact one, or maybe it is. Only one way to find out.Id highly suggest you shop around even more and consider multiple options if youre not already. It sounds like you might be a bit in love with one particular opportunity and havent realized that you can have many such opportunities.Good luck! 