[tmcdos]

I never used the technique below - I went freelancing before I had the chance. If I am asked such a question, I would offer a "blind exchange" - I will write my absolute minimum that is barely acceptable (i.e. I won't be happy and probably will start looking for a better job soon after hiring) and fold the paper; they will write their absolute maximum that they are willing to afford if I was their most IDEAL candidate (i.e. they should be afraid of losing me) and fold the paper; then we will simultaneously exchange the papers to each other. The negotiation should become a lot more interesting after this exchange.