After some investigation, it looks like only mailgun.org is declared in ValiMail but not mailgun.net, e.g. a DNS query for 198.244.56.66._ip.c66.c5341538.usw1.send.mailgun.net._ehlo.upwork.com._spf.vali.email
returns "v=spf1 include:mailgun.org -all"
I never used the technique below - I went freelancing before I had the chance.
If I am asked such a question, I would offer a "blind exchange" - I will write my absolute minimum that is barely acceptable (i.e. I won't be happy and probably will start looking for a better job soon after hiring) and fold the paper; they will write their absolute maximum that they are willing to afford if I was their most IDEAL candidate (i.e. they should be afraid of losing me) and fold the paper; then we will simultaneously exchange the papers to each other. The negotiation should become a lot more interesting after this exchange.
I have heard that in Netherlands there used to be (not sure if it is still there) a system where you have for example 4 rooms of children. Room A contains all children that are ahead of rooms B, C, D. If a child from room B learns pretty quickly - the child is moved to room A. However, if the child leaves behind the other children in room B - that child is moved in room C. Same for room C - those who can not catch up are moved to room D. In this way everyone is learning at max capacity. Those who can learn faster and better are not slowed down by others who can not (or do not want to) keep the pace. Everyone is happy - children, teachers, parents, community.
And what is wrong with competition? If someone else makes a product or service better than you - why should you get the benefits and not him/her?
The correct solution is to freely share all knowledge (IP). Open source is not perfect but it is a step in the right direction. P2P and torrents is another step in the right direction.
