<prompt> Human: I responded to the employer last night with:---Hello HR REP FROM COMPANY,Thank you for taking the time to meet with me over the last few weeks. As flattered as I am to receive an offer to join your team, I am unable to accept your offer due to the salary level. Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within COMPANY, this offer would be a substantial cut in both my current salary and benefits. I was under the impression that the salary range for this position was between 45-55hr. based on the job posting.Again, thank you for your consideration, and my regrets that it didnt work out. I am positive that you will find someone to fill this position soon, and I will try my best to make a few recommendations as well. Its been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope that we cross paths in the future.Warmest regards,MY NAME---This morning they responded with:---Nick,Thank you for your quick response. We very much enjoyed getting to know you better and appreciate the interest you showed in COMPANY. I apologize for any misunderstanding surrounding the wage rate; however, the rate you cited would be for someone with 3-5 years experience after having become a licensed Professional Engineer. On behalf of the team here at COMPANY I wish to offer you all the best in your career and future endeavors. Sincerely,---Oh well, didnt work out. I will see the owner, and a few other members from the company this coming weekend at a wedding, maybe Ill get them to agree to 55hr once theyre liquored up.Thanks everyone for the input!Assistant: I apologize for any misunderstanding surrounding the wage rate; however, the rate you cited would be for someone with 3-5 years experience after having become a licensed Professional Engineer.I apologize for any misunderstanding where you read what we wrote and thought that was what we meant.Also, the rate YOU cited? It was in their ad...Seriously, though, did the ad say that 3-5 years experience after getting a PE license was required, or even desired? I can see the offer making sense if the ad said they were looking for a licensed PE with 5 years of experience, you dont have that and applied and they offer you the job anyway at a lower starting pay.Human: Also, the rate YOU cited? It was in their ad...To be fair, thats exactly what citing something means.Assistant: True, but it is THEIR source. They are saying that the figure only applies in a specific context; if that is the case, then it was on THEM to specify that context in the ad.Human: I would agree with this. As I would understand that range, if Im good enough to be offered the position, Im good enough for 45hr... if Im below that, I shouldnt get the offer.  <response>: I agree. Also, if the reason why they lowered the salary for you was because they needed a licensed PE for that salary range, they 100 should have explicitly stated this during the offer. This company sounds a bit shady or at very least they are really bad at communicating so its likely you dodged a bullet with them. 