Phone screening on 5/31/2017 rushed to end short. The interviewer sounded as if he was harassing me away. He insisted on drawing his own conclusion pertaining to the reason why I left my most recent job. He asked: (1) Were you "fired" or not > This is how he phrased and was very persistent. (2) Whether the company offered a "separation package" > This probing question probably does not belong in the phone screening. FYI My reviews on record are immaculate. "It was the company" reorganization which led to my departure. 3) Do you own a house? Do you have to sell it? What would you do (in light of the job location in Princeton, NJ and my current residence in NY) ? > I am not sure of the intent in regard to inquiring about my house ownership. The latter question probably had to do with whether the relocation assistance is needed. 4) there is a slim chance of promotion to the manager position; one person had to wait 7 years; are you okay with it? > he stated that "the incumbent manager needs to be promoted or leave" if a specialist is to become a manager and "workers are not necessarily rewarded for the good work." Brutally realistic or not, it is discouraging (but I have seen individuals stating the same, just not during a job interview). I expected that the interviewer follow a protocol to stay on a more compliant course. How the questions were phrased - along with the tone of his voice - was the major source of discomfort. I am yet to see the results as "the hiring manager is on vacation for another 1.5 weeks."