Why Some Job Interviews Feel Like They Go Off Track
Recently, I attended a job interview with a company that offers a digital application designed to simplify business operations. Their platform focuses on making business management more efficient by helping users track sales, manage expenses, maintain ledgers, control inventory, and focus on growth.
When I applied for the role, I approached the opportunity with a fairly standard set of expectations. I assumed the interview would involve an introduction, a discussion about my previous experience, an assessment of my communication skills and personality, and—if things aligned—a conversation about compensation.
The position I applied for was Sales Trainee, and the job posting clearly stated that freshers were welcome to apply. Based on this, I understood the role to be a learning-oriented position—one where training would be provided, followed by gradual exposure to the company’s product offerings and sales process.
However, the interview experience differed from what I had anticipated.
When Role Expectations Are Unclear
During the interview, it became apparent that the position was more closely aligned with telesales, and that the organization was seeking candidates who already had a strong understanding of their business model and product ecosystem.
The interview panel consisted of an HR representative and a potential reporting senior. The discussion focused heavily on scenario-based questions—situations involving customer objections, sales challenges, and real-time decision-making. While such questions are valuable, they appeared to assume prior hands-on experience rather than a trainee-level understanding.
From a professional perspective, this created a noticeable gap between the role description and the role expectations.
A trainee position is generally associated with learning, guidance, and development. In contrast, the questions posed during the interview seemed more suitable for candidates who had already undergone structured training or had previous experience in similar roles.
A Missed Opportunity for Alignment
As the interview concluded, I was informed that I would receive feedback within two to three days. There was no discussion regarding salary expectations, which further indicated that the role requirements and candidate profile may not have been fully aligned from the outset.
This experience highlights a broader issue that many job seekers encounter: interviews that feel as though they drift away from their original purpose. Often, this is not due to a lack of preparation on the candidate’s part, but rather a lack of clarity in how roles are defined and communicated.
The Importance of Clear Role Definition
Clear and accurate job descriptions benefit both employers and applicants. When expectations are well-defined—especially for roles labeled as trainee or fresher-level—the interview process becomes more focused, productive, and respectful of everyone’s time.
Organizations seeking experienced professionals should communicate that requirement transparently. Similarly, candidates applying for learning-oriented roles should be evaluated within the appropriate context.
Final Reflection
Job interviews are most effective when they serve as a mutual discovery process—one that helps both parties determine whether there is a genuine fit. When expectations align, interviews feel structured and meaningful. When they do not, they can unintentionally feel directionless.
This experience served as a reminder that clarity, honesty, and alignment are just as important in recruitment as skills and qualifications.
