Introduction: A Reality from the Interview Table As an HR Consultant and Director at Sourcemind, I’ve interviewed thousands of candidates over the years. From freshers to experienced professionals, I’ve observed changing mindsets, career expectations, and evolving priorities. But in the last five years, I’ve noticed a significant shift—especially among junior-level candidates and fresh graduates. Recently, my recruitment team has raised consistent concerns. They’re encountering freshers with unrealistic salary expectations and a resistance to feedback or negotiation. Let me share a few real-world examples: A fresher mechanical engineer demanding ₹5 LPA, without any hands-on industrial exposure. A chemical engineering graduate expecting ₹7-8 LPAfrom their very first job. A Sc. graduate with just 2 years of experiencecurrently earning ₹6 LPA (after a 12% hike), now wants a 5-day work week and a 40% salary jump—and when we try to reason with them, they hang up the call without listening. Frankly, it’s puzzling. Many…