In California, the employer is legally required to provide you a salary range if you ask. What are people's experiences when you ask for the compensation range prior to an onsite interview? I personally have been denied this information from both FAANGs and startups in the past, all in CA where the law applies. This was after several initial interviews, and prior to the onsite. They usually say there is no range per se and that the comp depends on the candidate's experience and what they bring to the team. This answer seems like a blatant violation of the law, but my guess is they are coached to give this answer due to some legal technicality that allows them to comply with the CA law. The text of the (recent) law is: (AB168:"(c) An employer, upon reasonable request, shall provide the pay scale for a position to an applicant applying for employment."). How is it legal if they say there is no range? If refused, did you reference the law and get a response?
I agree for common positions like software engineer there is solid external data. But it doesn't apply to other positions, yet the law does apply (at least should), so the question is if this is a common experience, it may be a legal issue.
I’ve rarely been given an actual range when I’ve asked.
Flat out ignore the request, or did they give a reason?
ggl refused to tell me a range when during the phone screen and offer, but it should be pretty easy to find online (levels.fyi for example)