Was contacted about position via recruiter that worked with this company for years I was told. Initially I passed but was persuaded to apply anyways based on my experiences and background. Hesitated when I asked about salary range but got it the first call with the first recruiter I talked with, even claiming he could get me the top range based on my background and 20+ years experience. Everything went fairly well through the process. A need for someone to start right away was communicated through the process. Process went fairly normal, meet with recruiter as initial screen see if we fit for each other, then 30 min with an HR person to cover much of the same and talk about the job more and screen me. I was asked expect range, I repeated the salary that the recruiter said I could get - no balk. Next week, an hour interview in person. A few low-end technical questions and some general questions related how to handle different areas: backup strategies, security hardening strategies. Got a tour of the facility. I was later offered the position but at a much lower salary than initially told and passed.
I was told by one recruiter the range was one thing, then a different recruiter dialed that range tighter but still within the range I was looking. After my in person interview, the recruiter called to haggle the range starting off the conversation with "what is the bare minimum you will take". Big red flag. Later called back and tried to talk me down 10-15k farther below the ranges I was told. I found a job posting with salary listed and it showed the first range I was originally told. I passed on the position after that as at best it would be a lateral move and can't trust a place that essentially false advertised their salary range.
