Requiring official transcripts for a job application is absurd. I remember a time when I could not afford this kind of bullshit and while I can afford it now I still remember those times I couldn’t and I’m sure there are people in that situation now. Why should anyone have to spend money on a job application without a guarantee that they will get the job? For any reason? These business underpay, and are understaffed, and want “high quality” applicants. They should be paying us to apply there.
A job I am applying for requires my official academic transcripts, and since I have another offer on the table I took the chance to make a stand and sent them a quote for the cost of the transcripts and informed them that my unofficial transcripts are available for free.
They emailed back and said that while they are not authorized to pay for the transcripts they can push my paperwork through with the unofficial transcripts and if an offer is made I can send them the official transcripts at that time. Which is good enough for me to proceed with the application process but still leaves me pissed off.