But Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, said the broad gulf between Mr. Trump and the nominees was unusual. “It suggests to me that Donald Trump wants advisers who will bring him different views,” said Ms. Collins, a member of the Senate intelligence panel that grilled Mr. Pompeo on Thursday. “That would be very healthy. Or it could lead to confused messages both to our allies and our adversaries.”

Democrats took a harsher view. “A number of the nominees have tried to sprint away from the president-elect’s out-of-the-mainstream positions to try to show the public they’re reasonable,” said Chuck Schumer of New York, the top Senate Democrat.

In many cases, the nominees have long records in public service and are stating long-held positions. The Trump team also recognizes that the president-elect’s most unorthodox and belligerent stances — while helpful in a populist campaign for the White House — would be unlikely to pass muster with many members of the Senate, even fellow Republicans.

The nominees seem to be determined to create the impression that they could prevail in crucial policy discussions. “I find it a strength that the president-elect has nominated people that have different views from the ones he has previously expressed,” said John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate.

Mr. Trump’s cabinet nominees are being meticulously prepared for their meetings with senators and for confirmation hearings, several senators said. In those preparation sessions, the appointees are often questioned on issues they know could snag them.

Most notably, the nominees have taken strong positions against Russia in the confirmation hearings. Mr. Trump, by contrast, has spent a year defending his desire to have strong relationships with Russia and Mr. Putin, and only this week seemed to acknowledge what the intelligence agencies agree on: that Russia interfered with the election.