Anything before the final round interview is considered unprofessional. HR expect everybody to first put money aside and consider only based on job fit. Same as going for a date, will you demand to know your potential boy/girlfriend salary, house size and bank balance before you hold hands? Dating programs aside.. Normally it is not good.

If you are the chosen 1 or 2, then they start to lowball you will all sorts of nonsense like work life balance, 18 days leave and medical benefits for dependents.. Then they expect the mid career to negotiate and the freshie to grab.

Though we all need money, the pretentious cycle of job seeking is as such. That's how glassdoor, payscale and salary reports become so sought after some even pay for the annual report.