This happened about 2 years ago. I work in Healthcare, andt the time I had been in my specific position at company A for over 5 years. I had former coworker, who was working at company B ask me for my resume. She said company B was looking to grow a program, requiring staff with my specific experience. Company B HR reaches out and immediately interviews me. I tell them my salary expectations and point out that my current role is fully remote, and that the new salary would have to have a decent enough increase to entice me to take a office role. (Obvious foreshadowing)

They have me do multiple zoom interviews with different levels of management. Each interview goes great, but I always make a point to mention that I did not apply for this role. I was an internal referral, and that I'd need incentive to leave a position that I wasn't actively looking to give up. Everyone agrees.

I eventually get a follow-up call from HR. Management thinks I'd be a great fit, they want me on the team, and they offer me... my current salary. I politely tell the HR rep that all along the way, I had mentioned my salary expectations prior to me considering this position. He confirms this and says he'll talk to the director and get back to me.

I get a call a the next day from the HR rep. A new offer is up. They offer me my current salary, but I can get a 4% raise down the line once I've gotten certain certifications. This time, I can't help myself. I chuckle and politely say that it's a bit insulting. I have made my requirements clear and that I would have preferred to have avoided the multiple interviews if this was the known end result. I thanked him and wished them luck.

Why do companies do this? Total waste of my time.