Isn't this just a helpful tell though? If the interviewer isn't creative enough to speak off script in their field or the company doesn't allow a bit of flexibi

Isn't this just a helpful tell though? If the interviewer isn't creative enough to speak off script in their field or the company doesn't allow a bit of flexibility in interviews what makes you think they would do interesting work? Interviews where people just ask these filtering type questions signals to me that this is just another job. If you already have a job its not worth switching as it will just be more of the same. If I can't get into a some what interesting conversation with the interviewer and this is what the company has put forward as their representative, oh well. If my second call isn't with someone I would be working with or knowledgable in the field then whats the point of even talking to them. I interview quite a bit and the amount of phone calls some start-ups and companies want to have as part of the interview is insane. Most of the time the people doing the interviews would rather be doing something else.