I’m much more a “hard ass” than you.
When they ask me the same questions I ask them to answer my question first: “What do you offer my business and how will you pay your own way and also produce a profit for the business.” One out of 25 will even attempt to answer the question.
Those are great questions but never fear - I can be a “hard ass” when necessary. Learned how when I supervised a longshoremen’s union crew in Louisiana loading soybeans for export years ago. Not too many women on the docks in those days and probably even not now. I just refuse to tell anyone whether we’re hiring or not unless they at least get off their duff and send a resume. If they do, I will at least take a look at them, maybe set up an interview, give them some tests and an interview and then maybe we talk. Sometimes turn it into a learning experience for the applicant. I have clients who are always on the search for clerical employees - sometimes we get lucky and find a diamond in the rough!