Employee makes it to a final interview and the company lowballs them, claims the $60-80k range they posted was ‘aspirational’: ‘Is this even legal’

The salary discussion at the end of the interview process can be uncomfortable.

At the end of the day, we all work to make some coin. Money will always be a large factor in our decision to accept or refuse a job offer. Salary transparency laws in some states, including my good ol' state of New York, are crucial in forcing companies to put their financial cards on the table. How can we comfortably say we want to work for a company if we don't know how we'll be compensated? Money talks, that's for sure.

If you really want to work for the company you're interviewing with, you probably express that although you'd love it if they offered you the top of the range, you're more excited about the opportunity to work there. Never say a number first, by the way. That's how they get you to undersell yourself! The thing to remember is that, more often than not, the company you're interviewing with will ask more than what your job duties state upon hire. With that in mind, remember to dream big, and by big, I mean big dollar signs.

The job seeker who shared the story below explains that they were interviewing with a company that gave a broad range in their job description, but during the final interview, they were lowballed by $15k. Yep. $15k below bottom range. The employee confronts the interviewer, who then mentions a ludicrous statement about listing an "aspirational" salary range for the position… not one that they are actually capable of paying. Maybe they should've informed prospective employees before they went through the whole process, perhaps? Scroll below to read the full story.

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A man interviews a prospective employee, talking about compensation.
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"Job posting said $60-80K. Got to the final interview and they offered $45K. They said the range was 'aspirational.' Is this bait and switch legal?"

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A person holds an empty wallet in their hands.
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