<prompt> Human: Ill keep this short and sweet.Currently I make 40K, and am looking to advance my career and go for a promotion in a different company. I am pending an offer from company A, but I will be having a phone interview with company B this week; i would much rather work at company B than A. After researching the position, it seems like starting salary with no experience is around 45k, and highest it goes is 66k. Im looking to be making at least high 50s, low 60s. But, I also dont want to shoot myself in the foot and throw out a number thats much less than what they want to offer. I see other people recommend to say ask for competitive salary but honestly I think thats stupid and to go back and forth with the recruiter would be frustrating on their end, and I dont want to compromise this position because of that.Any recommendations on this? I also have no problem lying about my current salary.Thanks!!EDIT: Company A called back and offered what I asked for; 50k. I bluffed and said I have another job offer for 55k; currently waiting for a response back :  <response>: After researching the position, it seems like starting salary with no experience is around 45k, and highest it goes is 66k. Im looking to be making at least high 50s, low 60s.If you have enough experience to make a good faith argument that youre entitled to the maximum, shoot for 66K and youll likely end up in the range youre looking to be in. Be prepared to discuss why youre justified in asking for that salary. As others have said, if they come back with a number in the 50s that youre still comfortable with, see if you can at least meet in the middle at 60K or, in the alternative, think of some things other than cash that they could use to sweeten the pot e.g., vacation time, sometimes working from home if applicable to your sort of job, etc.. 