I recently applied for a position that was essentially the same as my current role but offered a higher salary range. After completing a pre-screen interview, the topic of salary came up, and the recruiter informed me that they could only offer me the middle of the range, which was meant for what they called a 'unicorn applicant.' I expressed that my experience and qualifications exceeded their requirements and that I would prefer to be offered a salary closer to the top of the range. However, they stood firm on their offer, so I decided to politely decline. It baffles me that companies have a salary range but seem unwilling to pay top dollar for qualified candidates. They might end up hiring someone less experienced just to save a few thousand dollars, which seems short-sighted. I appreciate not having to go through a lengthy interview process, but it's frustrating to see such limitations in salary negotiations. It feels like a waste of a strong candidate's time.