Unfortunately it's often not that simple, and it frequently requires Advanced Techniques. (E.g.: The recruiter is pushy and insists on a salary, and you have to use verbal judo of some kind. OR some piece of technology insists on a salary in a form, and won't let you proceed without entering one. Etc.)
This is true, although the lesson I would draw is to build up your personal network so that you're not going through recruiters to get jobs, and specialize enough that you're not directly comparable with typical other candidates.
By the way, funny having this conversation with you! See you on friday ;)
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