They immediately asked for my W2, before even scheduling a screen phone call. It's an obnoxious way to get information from a candidate, information that they are not even legally allowed to ask for (such as SS#) at this part of the process. Not only is it borderline illegal, it says "We don't trust your resume, or you." It was a jarring start to the process, and it left me with a nasty taste in my mouth. I didn't release my w2s, and didn't get past the 1st round phone interview. I understand you want to make sure you have a real deal candidate (that makes money as a sales executive), but there is a lot you cannot tell simply from a W2. For example, one could take equity over salary at a start-up, and therefore, your W2s might indicate that you only made $90k/year, but it doesn't factor in the equity you earned strategically. Seems like you would miss opportunities only looking at W2s.