The goal isn't to maximize efficiency. It is to increase human connection. Why?
1. They want you to feel a sense of trust to increase the probability of taking additional steps in the process.
2. They are mostly extroverts who want to hear someone talk about their career aspirations -- for the same emotional reasons that coaches want to see people learn.
though for 1) in a way, it IS about maximising efficiency. The recruiter wants to place candidates, and those with whom s/he has a strong human connection are more likely to convert into placements. Hence, efficiency is the ultimate driver for this behaviour
1. They want you to feel a sense of trust to increase the probability of taking additional steps in the process.
2. They are mostly extroverts who want to hear someone talk about their career aspirations -- for the same emotional reasons that coaches want to see people learn.