> He kept pressing me for a salary number and I gave him one below market rate

Were you trying to get hired? If so, why would you do that?

I think any response would be fine as the employer is responsible for the offer. There's really no point asking me how much I would like to be compensated (the answer is always $1b) when the real question is how much are you willing to offer in return for my services.

Some employers ask this at the start. Then, you'll go through $x interview rounds.

If you say 100 quatloos, then go through 3 rounds of interviews, discussions, and they offer your 100 quatloos, you'd be an asshat to complain about salary.

And the employer would have every reason to think you're a dumbass.

Note that refusing to answer is fine, but being entirely dishonest (a random number, eg "any response"), would make me believe you are utterly untrustworthy.

>Note that refusing to answer is fine

I was required to put a "desired salary" in an application form. It was a required field. I wonder if the employer sorts by lowest?

Just put in an obviously fake number like 9999999999. It will be understood as you declining to answer

Not everyone is in a situation where they believe they can get an offer at "market rate"

Ideology doesn’t trump salary, metaphor included.