In today's economic climate, a salary requirement that is higher than budgeted will get a prospect eliminated from consideration, even for the noobs out of school.
I am seeing salary requirements being requested as part of the cover letter with the rationale the requirement is being used as a filter.
Did not include a requirement in the letter? Eliminated, cannot follow direction.
Too high? Eliminated, too expensive. Too low? Eliminated, either the candidate is desperate, and/or did not spend enough time researching salary for the career.
SDS has the best solution. Get the employer to admit the job seeker is a viable candidate for the position.
This can be spun by job seeker as "if I am not a viable candidate, then there is no need to discuss salary/compensation."
Then ask the employer what they had budgeted for the position. Work from there.