[sammyg2]

I've always went into job interviews trying to make a good impression and acting like I wanted the job. I did just the opposite yesterday and it seemed to work better.
Kind of reminds me of that movie Office Space. Go figure.
Here's the details:

About a month ago a headhunter I've dealt with before contacted me about what sounded like a very attractive position.

Last week he calls and wants to set up the interview. I say OK, set it up.
He calls back the next day and says it's a done deal, but now the job description has changed from what he originally told me (headhunters fit somewhere between lawyers and used car salesmen) and instead of it being a major oil company, it's for a small independent oil company at a very small refinery. The kind of refinery that tends to go bankrupt or close down when margins gets tight.

The job description means having to wear many hats, more responsibility with less support, a really big fish in a very small pond.
I hesitate but he convinces me to at least talk to them. OK. I'll talk to them. Don't know why. Maybe I was just curious, Maybe it was greed or boredom, maybe all.

Three bosses come in, one was the plant manager (who I would be reporting to) and two guys from corporate. They told me about the position and I explained the miss-communication and tell them what I was expecting and what my concerns were. I was very open and didn't mince words, called it exactly like I saw it with no sugar-coating which I figured would normally make a really bad impression.
After about 30 minutes they ask me what it would take to get me to come to work for them. I sensed desperation. Uh oh.

I tell them what I have now (a sweet gig), tell them exactly what my current situation is and explain what it would take to get me to change jobs and why. The minimum salary I would consider was way more than they were expecting to hear. Probably about $60k more. I could tell they thought that was a deal breaker which didn't bother me in the least. Then one of the guys from corporate said "I'll have to run this by the CEO. Uh oh again. Should have asked for more.

I really don't want the job and intentionally priced myself out of the market, but I'm still worried they might agree to it.
The problem is, if they offered the kind of money I asked for it would be very hard to turn down even if the job wasn't exactly what I want. Greed sucks.