Most of the questions are valid but first, it's unlikely you'll get honest answers and second I think most (maybe all?) employers would cut the interview short after the third or fourth question.
"never give out any info on incoming calls". 100% agree. It's such a simple rule that I don't understand why it's not part of everyone's DNA. Should be taught at home and in schools, same as "look both ways before crossing a street".
Truth is, if you want to really learn algorithms and data structures, then you are the one who has to "go into the details". CLRS is the bible, I can't think of a better book, and you don't have to read it sequentially because most chapters are independent of each other.
We've all asked the questions: "What's life all about? Who am I?" This book won't give you the answers but it will show you why all the "solutions" given since the beginning of time are probably wrong. The author blends Eastern Zen with Western Psychology in a mix that will have your mind spinning right from the first page. Fair warning: You may lose your-self after reading this book.
