The application process itself was very smooth. It involved a long application form with thoughtful and quite personal questions about my interest in the role and in the Indigenous cause, followed a few days later by an invitation to interview.
The interview was long — around 1 hour and 30 minutes — with many questions, some of them quite personal, such as “Why did you move to the UK?”. There was also a one-hour task to be completed and submitted by email.
Overall, it wasn't quite welcoming. Despite having dedicated at least three hours to the interview (not including the significant time spent completing the application form and researching the organisation), I did not receive any constructive feedback about my performance or my written task. I felt the organisation was looking for a very specific type of person — one more aligned with fitting into the existing team culture than with the cause itself; someone who would not challenge long-established hierarchies or ways of working that have been in place for decades.
It was an interesting experience, but also deeply frustrating and patronising. Even though I met all the stated criteria, it became clear that there was an unspoken requirement I could never fulfil, as it relates to national and cultural background. I believe the point is clear. I appreciated the opportunity to take part, but I am ultimately grateful not to have been selected - it seems this is not an environment for people who are genuinely committed to Indigenous peoples and challenging the status quo.
