What do you say when asked about compensation expectations?

I always feels like saying an exact number early in the process might not be the best way to go about it, and I dont want to be a douche by asking them "How much can you offer?", so what do you think is the best way to answer this question

3 Comments
 

https://www.amazon.com/Negotiation-Genius-Obstacles-Brilliant-Bargainin…

This is the best book I have ever read on the topic of negotiation, and it definitely applies in this situation. I would come up with a number that sounds reasonable to you (but you have to make sure that it's not such a high number that they rescind the offer), and then justify that number using data such as apartment/house pricing, living expenses, and other factors. If you give them facts to back up your ask, it will be much harder for them to refuse.

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