He sort of looks clairvoyant now. doesn't he?

[we vs us]

Why?
I wouldn't hire anyone who told me they would be happy with a static salary level.  That indicates a person willing to "park" at a job.

The first offer is never the final offer. I love it when employees tell me they want to make far more money than I'm offering them.  That's the kind of ambition I want to hire.  That's also the kind of ambition that my boss appreciates.

Would you ever tell an employer that you wouldn't be back in her/his office in 12 months asking for a raise?

I always tell my prospective employers that I'm ambitious and am looking to advance in my career.  But that doesn't mean that I'll have the flexibility to leave after a year if I don't see an increase. In my industry, employees beneath Director or General Manager grade have been on a wage freeze since about 2007.  That's pretty much industrywide.  In fact, employment in our industry is down by slightly less than a 1/3 since the downturn began.  In other words, not only are no increases coming but you should feel lucky that your job wasn't eliminated.  As valuable as you may be, as ambitious as you may be, as good looking as I may be, that doesn't guarantee any sort of advancement whatsoever. 

You should feel lucky that you've been insulated from the late unpleasantness.  It's been a bloodbath for several years.

[Conan71]

As valuable as you may be, as ambitious as you may be, as good looking as I may be, that doesn't guarantee any sort of advancement whatsoever. 

You just channelled Stewart Smally, didn't you?

[we vs us]

You just channelled Stewart Smally, didn't you?

You'll note that I concede he could be valuable or ambitious, but make clear that I'm the good looking one.