How to answer compensation expectation for boutique?

i always anser "at least on par with the street"

"market competitive" = standard answer. If I had a dollar for every time I typed this...

Start the negotiation by asking how much they make, then throw a number that's roughly 15% less than that to be conservative.

So I screwed up here then? I don't even have an offer yet so I didn't want to lower my chances.

Being able to have a position and gain experience in a firm like this is more important to me than the salary. But I think a level that is commensurate with the rest of the street would be fair.

or "if you're making X I should be making at least 2X because your a fckin idiot."

hah everyone is just messing with you. Please dont use any of these responses as they will cost you a job.

Just say, "For the right opportunity I would be willing to consider a variety of compensation levels" or some BS like that, that completely avoids the question. I thought they taught this answer to everyone in your basic Business/Econ/Finance 101 courses.

I would not work for free.

Whiskey5, I definitely agree working for free sucks. However, I'm still a sophomore and this would be an amazing opportunity. Does that change your mind at all? Not sure how I can re-negotiate at this point.