>Granted with the job market the way it is in our industry there are more jobs to be filled than applicants. But in the end the potential employer really *is* in the driver seat. They have the final say as to whether to hire or not. Additionally granted that they may not make this position from a true understanding of the market but make the decision anyway.

I don't mean to belabor the point, but I frequently find myself coaching people going through the interview process. I can't agree with your statement, "They have the final say as to whether to hire or not." The truth is, they make they make an offer. The candidate has the option of accepting or declining. It is in the negotiations following the employer's offer that I've seen offers get as much as 40% added to them (plus a wallop of stock options). When it's all said and done, the final say rests with the candidate when he says, "I'll take it."