Is there another path, other than a standard pre-screen > screen > onsite process? How about folks coming from the competing companies with the direct experience, or as the Industry Experts?
Dont wear heels
for students you can use your internship interview to skip the phone screen. or if you declined an offer previously you can go to the onsite directly
Likewise for temps, vendors, and contractors.
If we know a lot about you, then you can skip the phone screen(s)
Build a one or two person startup, get acquired.
You still get interviewed.
Are you saying that even when Google acquires a company as acqui-hire and it still interviews the acquired folks ? Then what's the point of the acqui-hire ?