I was approached for a role and scheduled a telephone chat with the hiring manager. I was informed it would be an informal discussion, focusing on my CV and experience, with no need for preparation. I took the time to review my experience against the job advert to be ready, but when the call began, it turned out to be much more formal, with specific interview questions and topics I had not been told to prepare for. This left me blindsided, as I was under the impression it would be an introductory conversation. During the call, I asked a lot of questions about the company, its values, and how the role fits into the bigger picture, as I believe it's crucial for both the role and the organszation to align with my skills and values. However, the feedback I received afterward was surprising. I was told I asked too many questions about the organisation—things I should have researched before the call. Frankly, the feedback felt outdated and not in tune with how modern recruitment should work. Candidates today want to ensure that an organisation is the right cultural fit, just as much as they want to show they’re qualified for the role. Instead, it felt like they were stuck in an old-school mindset, where candidates are expected to only demonstrate their qualifications without truly understanding the company's values and environment. Overall, the experience was disappointing, and the communication around the process could be greatly improved to ensure clarity and fairness for candidates.