esume sent late October. The company texted me that they would like to set up an interview with the hiring manager. This text was misleading and thus a form of a lie.
Cadence: Hello, my name is ABC from Cadence. You had applied for our Director, Digital Strategy role, and the hiring manager asked me to help set up an interview with you. I am on the West Coast, and my phone number is ###-###-####. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank You,
ABC Ping Me Sent from my iPhone
Here is the following brief exchange:
Me: ABC, Thank you for the good news. Is it at all possible to chat Fri late afternoon - Wed of next week? You may be off. I want to give my best attention to our call because it's a brilliant opportunity. This week is full of web video meetings I'm leading with associated prep for them.
Best regards, XYZ Sent from my iPhone
Cadence: I only need 5 minutes. You can call me now if possible Friday is too far for me as we are getting close to the company shut down.
Me: Yes. Just call.
I, the applicant, then called between two Zoom conference calls I was attending to be kind and considerate of Candence since the company rep seemed desperate to schedule a time for me to speak with the hiring manager.
Lies and Law-breaking by Cadence:
1. Cadence had no intention of the call being only 5 minutes to set up an interview. Instead, the company embarked on a phone screen. And, the Cadence asked me illegal questions in the State of California.
2. I told the Cadence that it had been a month since I applied, and because the role and the company are essential to me, I would like to review both before speaking on any screening call. Additionally, I understood that this was to align on a calendar date and time to talk with the hiring manager.
3. Candence said it was a few questions. I agreed to hear the recruiter, knowing I had only 5 minutes before I needed to jump on a Zoom call and the recruiter only wanted 5 minutes.
4. Cadence then asked me how much pay I needed. I told Cadence that I couldn't say without knowing more about the position. Cadence told me there were RSUs and benefits. I replied, "I cannot tell you what base I need without understanding the whole compensation package, more importantly, without discussing the role with the hiring manager." Then, I stated, "Let me flip this on you; what is the range for the position?"
Next is when Cadence broke the law. Cadence said they did not have to tell me the salary range. I replied it is the law, to which Cadence said, "I don't know about that. I asked you what you needed to be paid, not what you are paid, which is not against the law."
Cadence broke this law: "A.B. 168 was signed into law in October 2017, California employers must provide "applicants" with the "pay scale" for a position upon "reasonable request."
Cadence then bullied me with this question, "What salary do you need to make?" Are you $150s-160s? $160s - 170s? $170s -180s. But, we can't pay you if you want like, $300K."
Again, I stated I needed to know more about the role.
Cadence then asked something unusual, "I have four questions. Can I ask you the four questions?" I replied, "This is why I wanted to speak Friday or later to review the role; it has been a month since I sent the resume." Cadence turned curt and said goodbye. I asked if I was offensive because I did not want to offend; I'm interested in the role. Cadence then yelled at me. Said a few rude comments. Said goodbye and hung up.
4. I left the Company Leadership a voice mail and two emails to discuss my experience, thinking Candence would welcome hearing about illegal behavior shown to candidates. Candidates, applicants are usually fans of the company. From a Marketing perspective, each candidate could come from a vendor, supplier, partner, customer, and competitor. I have not received a response.
I am not an activist employee or candidate. I am from an era of "get promoted, don't get blackballed," thus, this announcement of bad-doing is because I want others interviewing with Cadence to know that you, the applicant, must be in the State of California treated respectfully and with transparency.