I was recruited for a unicorn position through a well known recruitment firm, a junior exec level but with area expertise. Salary was shared with me by recruiter. Company moved very slow, which is fine, I’m ok in my current position. I confirmed with recruiter the salary and incentive ballpark we were in twice over the months and said it was important, as I wouid be moving and to a more expensive area.

Skip to now, when HR for company wants to make offer, but comes in with a salary range of 60-70% of what I was originally told. They were surprised and defensive when I told them it wasn’t what I had heard from recruitment firm and it would be a problem. It’s still more than what I make now, but I’m not leaving an existing job and moving my family in this economy with this ridiculous housing market for that. I do believe I’ve been the only candidate for some time now.

Recruitment firm told me they indeed have the original figure in writing and this low ball range is just that. They are going to talk to them, as the position has been hard to fill for a reason, and the figure i initially heard is market range.

Personally, I’m not sure even if they came to the original amount now or close I would trust them. Does that make me foolish? For what it’s worth, it’s a reputable company but the HR part of this has been a bit of a disaster.