I learned over a decade ago that it's quite alright to ask for the top end of the salary range... And it's quite okay for a company to decline. If you have multiple offers on the table, you're going to be fine. If you have too many offers, and are interviewing too much, you probably aren't asking enough.
In the end, know what your market is paying... know what competing markets are paying too. If you're at the top of Phoenix, Austin or Atlanta market, know what SF, NYC, Seattle are paying for similar roles. Of course, you have to deliver too.
My last job search, I wound up with 4 competing offers near the top of the range... in the end, I just asked for an extra week of vacation, and that became a deciding factor. There's no shame in negotiating, and you will probably mess up, but that's how you learn.
I agree and recently used a similar tactic to GP last year. I figured out what Atlanta was paying for the specific technology and found a few similar cities with their salary ranges. It helps if you know a few Engineer managers who can look up pay scales for you.
Next time I will politely push the envelope further. I had two competing offers. Asked for the top end and it worked.
The other suprise question is the “How much are you currently making?” trap. I politely said if it was a condition of being hired I can share my pay but I know I’m very underpaid at the moment compared to the market. Took the job with a 40% pay increase without having to discuss my prior salary.
I find it uncomfortable to dodge that question too but the best way I've found is to decline politely and ask for a "market offer". If they know you have other offers they'll usually make it competitive.
Many places do background checks which can include a financial/credit check and depending on the depth or association to government security, they may find out.
In the end, know what your market is paying... know what competing markets are paying too. If you're at the top of Phoenix, Austin or Atlanta market, know what SF, NYC, Seattle are paying for similar roles. Of course, you have to deliver too.
My last job search, I wound up with 4 competing offers near the top of the range... in the end, I just asked for an extra week of vacation, and that became a deciding factor. There's no shame in negotiating, and you will probably mess up, but that's how you learn.