Especially when, if you're in a position of any authority, there's a good chance you'll be negotiating in their behalf. So they want you to make good deals on their behalf while making a poor one on your own behalf...I guess they're hoping you have really poor self-esteem?

> Not joking btw. It's rather amazing that employers who expect rational, logical decision making on the job want applicants to suspend their reasoning and good judgment when it comes to negotiating compensation and employment terms.

Which is when you move on to the next employer if at all possible.

It's the "if at all possible" part that is not easy for most job applicants. This is probably only marginally easier even for HN users with a higher chance of being in white hot job markets.