'They think we will settle for less': Redditor's HR nightmare spurs outrage over salary negotiation games

In the world of software development, landing a job at a top firm should feel like a win. But for one developer posting on r/developersIndia, it quickly turned into a frustrating lesson in HR's double standards. Despite cracking the same interview as his colleague—with equal years of experience, identical roles, and even the same salary expectations—he was offered significantly less.

His friend sailed through negotiations and landed the deal she asked for. But when he attempted the same, the HR team held firm, saying his expectations were too high for the position of Senior Consultant—even though they were offering him an Analyst's salary for the role.

Counter Offers? Not for You, Apparently
When he brought in a better offer from another company, hoping the Big 4 recruiter might reconsider, the response was cold: “We don’t accept counter offers.” Oddly enough, he later discovered that several others in the same company had successfully negotiated using this exact strategy.

So why the double standard?

The poster noted that both his interviewer and potential manager were pleased with his performance, ruling out performance as a reason. Many believe the answer lies in internal politics, project availability, or—perhaps most worryingly—HR’s tendency to lowball wherever they can.

Reddit Erupts: “They Have Budget, But They Lowball You Anyway”
The post sparked a wave of fiery responses from fellow netizens, many echoing the same sentiment: “HRs are treating candidates like they’re disposable.” One user pointed out that even companies with flexible budgets routinely try to get the “cheapest deal” possible.

Another speculated that the difference might lie in project tagging—perhaps the friend had been slotted directly into a project while the poster was a “bench hire,” meaning they didn’t yet have a confirmed assignment. That, however, felt like a weak excuse for such a stark disparity.

Several users chimed in with negotiation advice, encouraging the developer to play hardball. One seasoned commenter wrote, “Tell them you have a better offer and you’re walking. They’ll revoke your offer at first—but wait. They often come back in a few days with something better.”

HR Tricks or Strategy? The Game Candidates Are Forced to Play
Beyond the anecdotes lies a troubling reality: for many candidates, especially those without internal referrals or hiring leverage, the recruitment process can feel like a lopsided power game. Several Redditors shared that recruiters often have internal caps on how much they can increase a candidate’s salary—sometimes just a fixed percentage over the last drawn pay.

But what makes this worse is the lack of transparency. “They expect everything from you,” one user wrote, “but won’t give you even basic respect during negotiation.”

Is It Time to Flip the Script?
The post struck a nerve for one simple reason: it exposed a common yet rarely addressed issue in corporate hiring. Candidates are expected to be on their best behavior, but HRs often get away with inconsistent offers, lack of transparency, and dismissive attitudes. For many, the takeaway is clear—know your worth, walk away if needed, and don’t be afraid to play the game they started.

As one commenter perfectly summed it up: “It’s my way or no way.”