What are the current hiring trends? (includes a rant ;)

For a technical (i.e. IT) job with qualifications, well paid? I've been browsing ads and I came upon a hiring process that includes a step “1 hour life story interview”. Is this normal? I am looking for a job, not a wife 😉 Any good way to know if such bullshit is coming up in a job position so not to waste time on this nonsense of “inspecting the teeth” of the candidate 😉