The interview process for a senior data engineering role was extremely inconsistent and disappointing. The process began with a Hiring Manager round followed by a System Design round, which were the only parts that felt relevant and professionally conducted for a leadership-level role. However, the later rounds significantly undermined the credibility of the process. The Data Modelling round was poorly structured and misdirected. Instead of evaluating modelling fundamentals, the discussion repeatedly moved away from the actual problem into unrelated directions, making the evaluation feel unclear and inconsistent. The Coding + CI/CD round was even more concerning. HR had clearly communicated that the candidate could choose the programming language for the coding task. During the interview this was suddenly changed and the interviewer insisted that the problem must be solved in Python only, contradicting what was previously communicated. The interviewer, who introduced himself as a Senior Data Engineer contractor from TCS, struggled to guide the problem and often remained silent when clarification was requested. For a senior technical interview, this level of preparation and engagement was disappointing. After several rounds and significant preparation, the final feedback provided was generic and lacked any meaningful explanation. Note: Interviews are not just technical assessments — they impact real people and real careers. Conducting interviews in such an inconsistent manner can leave candidates feeling demotivated and questioning their abilities. Companies should remember that these processes directly affect candidates’ confidence and professional growth. For an organisation hiring senior technical talent, the interview process should reflect professionalism, fairness, and preparation, which unfortunately was not demonstrated here. Advice to management: Ensure interviewers conducting senior technical rounds are properly prepared and aligned on expectations before evaluating candidates.