every once in a while, you get the “old-school” interviewer who comes in like a drill sergeant. They rapid-fire intimidating, outdated interview questions, stare you down when you don’t have the world’s best answer on the spot, and make you feel like I’m on trial instead of in a conversation. It always throws me off because so many other interviews have been collaborative and positive. And it makes me ask: why? What’s the purpose of trying to intimidate candidates? It doesn’t show strength, it doesn’t highlight culture fit, and it definitely doesn’t make me want to work there. If anything, it tells me the environment might be just as judgmental and fear-driven as the interview itself.