How to handle the "salary expectations" question?

Do your research. There are benchmarking reports out there for most any role in any location. You should come to the table with some facts and data that support your request.

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Market rate based on my experience.

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This...always know what you're worth when you first start your job hunt.

ETA

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Is there any benefit to stating a low number to ensure that I can keep the conversation going and then negotiating it up later, sort of taking the approach of wanting to get them pregnant and focused on me?

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Ummm no.

You should know the competitive wages for your position. As long as you are not asking 50% over market they won’t be turned off if they really like you.

Get them to tell you the benefits before you tell them a salary.

Throw out what you want (based off of realistic market demand and an honest evaluation of your value) not what you're willing to accept.

If you feel that you're trying to be low-balled from the jump, reject the offer because it's nowhere you want to work in the first place.

In a negotiation, you should never be the first to throw out a number.

I use a variation of this when they raise that question:

I'm open and while compensation is certainly important to me, it's only ONE facet of what working here entails. So I'll need a better understanding beyond the Job Description, to learn about the Culture, the Product offering, Bonus Structure, Management Style, Non-Cash Earnings, etc. to make a better assessment.

Basically: never EVER be the first one to provide a number and ALWAYS negotiate whatever they finally offer.

The earlier this question is raised, the more important it is to NOT give an actual answer. Sometimes, especially if working with a recruiter, they'll press for a number to "make sure we're on the same page" and in that case I say "I understand, and I've done sufficient research on your organization that I'm confident that if and when we determine to go further that your group will make a fair/equitable offer that reflect the value I can bring to your group".

Advice here is all well and good. But many companies use screeners for the first phone interview and “can’t submit your application until we have an answer on your salary expectations.”

Basically the whole point of that interview is to confirm you have a pulse and if you’re too expensive.

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"I'm not comfortable answering that at this time, what were you thinking?"

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Do not say this.

It makes you look ill-prepared and naive.

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Advice here is all well and good. But many companies use screeners for the first phone interview and “can’t submit your application until we have an answer on your salary expectations.”

Basically the whole point of that interview is to confirm you have a pulse and if you’re too expensive.

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This is fact.

Our screeners will know about where you are before you come in and talk with anyone about the bones of the position.

We'll drill down to a number once we make an offer.