Looks like most hiring managers just want worker drones. Mediocre people with average skills, not too good and not too bad. Just enough knowledge to do the work and not make waves.

This may not be what the executives want, but they are so detached from hiring that they cannot and will never change it. It just doesn't hurt enough to care because there is an endless supply of average workers.

I am in the same situation and have no idea what to do next.