Phone Interview. Very nice recruiter. But was highly offended by the request to agree to submit a paystub from my previous employer prior to hire, should they hire me. Typically, that kind of request is reserved for commissioned sales people and being I am not one, this sent me scouring advice from lawyers, HR recruiters and managers at other companies. No one I spoke to (all seasoned professionals) thought this sounded legal or ethical. The very nature of this request is one of distrust. You (the employer) distrust me from the beginning, and everyone knows that's starting a relationship on the wrong foot and likely to end up worse as time progresses. If we both agree on the salary range offered and New York Life sees value in me as a candidate, my previous salary is irrelevant, and further, is NOT due to you in documented format as an employer right. Stay clear of this company based on this criteria alone. I was told by the recruiter that "many financial and insurance companies operate on this policy." I have a collective 15 years of experience at both and have never been required to oblige to such an invasive and unethical request.

The process took over 3 months, HR would take weeks to reply with any status updates at all, and after 4 rounds they let me know I didn't get the job via an automated email from their Talent Acquisition address. It was an awful candidate experience for a company with such a great reputation, and stands out from any of their peers I've interviewed with. By the end I don't know if I even would have accepted the job. I hope they improve this process for future candidates.