I was in an interview yesterday and the hiring manager scoffed at my salary request. Asked why I think I'm worth that much, since at least 75% of my job can now be done by AI. I froze, how in the hell am I supposed to respond to something like that?

You don’t . You pick up your bag and walk out

Wowwww. I mean, I would say something like “do you want real, breakthrough ideas that your audience actually remembers or the same generic blah that everyone else is putting out?” BUT just the fact they said that sounds like a serious red flag. Where was this?

wooooooow that's insane. i understand freezing up, i would have in the moment, too. i'm sorry you had to deal with that.

i think the most appropriate response would be something like "Wow, I've never been asked such a disrespectful question in an interview before. It's clear to me where the company's values lie, so with that in mind, I think we're done here. Best of luck in your candidate search." but i hope you never have to deal with another question like that again. jesus

Wow!! Obnoxious question and a sign of what that place could be like. I might turn the question around and ask why they are even filling the role if they believe AI can do the job.

It’s clear they don’t value creativity. Run.

That’s crazy! Agree with everyone else- that’s a pick up your bag and walk outta there moment.

I’ve become so salty lately, I probably would have said “well, if AI can do 75% of this job then why are you even hiring for it? I would think two or three people who already work here could split that 25%. That seems like poor resource management on your part. Furthermore, since AI is coming for EVERYONE’S job, how do you justify your own salary or any employees here? Or do you expect your employees to work for minimum wage, including yourself?” Then I would have been escorted out. 😬

Wow 🤯 I agree with above - I would have walked right out. That is toxic and working there you would be spending your days justifying every decision you make. If they didn’t want to hire someone maybe they shouldn’t and actual use this AI tool they think so highly of 😬 which spoiler alert - most still blow big time.

First off, how hostile!
Like they really don’t want to hire for the role and truly believe 75% of the work can be done by AI!!!

Based on their flawed understanding of the work, couldn’t the other 25% be sort of “Mickey-Moused” by others in the office/department?
So, really, why go to the trouble of interviewing, vetting and hiring?

Zooming out for the bigger picture reveals more to worry about…

This either signals deep rooted antagonism between creative leadership forcing a human hire (because they clearly see no value of a human in the role), or complete stupidity and ineptitude in making their case as they’re forced to go through the motions for something that doesn’t make sense in their eyes.

Lack of trust, alignment, no clarity, open hostility and failed internal communication lines, shortsightedness, and huge lack of understanding and valuing the human part in the work.

Imagine all that conveyed in balking at a fair salary—AI wouldn’t get it.

THAT’S why humans can, and should, ask for and get, what they’re worth!

HUGE, HUGE RED FLAG 🚩

Meaning they want you to settle for crumbs. I personally don’t entertain roles. Unless you send me a full job description as well as salary range. Recruiters or hiring managers will waste your time.

I’m certain I would’ve let the expletives fly.

Wowwww that’s so rude. I’m sorry you had to deal with that

I would say sounds like you jumped in head first into AI thinking it’s the savior to a lot of work. However, AI can certainly push out content fast but it’s often not done well or targeted. Just like anything else it’s a tool that harnessed by the right experienced person can be great but anyone who thinks long term that AI being a full on replacement is just ridiculous because it lacks the ability to nuance concepts to the degree that humans can. If you’re looking to check boxes on “spewed out content in large volumes” then AI can achieve that but if you want effective content you can’t just do anything.