I am not actively looking for a job, but was approached by a firm and asked to come in for an interview. The only way I’d leave my job would be for a substantial raise. Before I go to the interview, I want to be prepared to make the best of the situation should it present itself. So my question to you is how do you effectively negotiate a salary? It’s been my experience that the power is stacked against you; the hirer will typically usually ask my current salary, what I expect to make in the new position, and then peg the negotiations to that lower number. So how do I gain ground in the situation? Can you refuse to answer those questions? Do I lie? I feel like those are both bad ideas. Any strategies or advice you could pass along would really help.