This was my first interview via the Ministry of Justice & I would say that the experience was very appalling & I would not advise any ethnic minority to apply for the role unless they are willing to distance themselves from their own culture & faith. I believe that my application was only shortlisted to comply with the Ministry of Justice’s ‘Equality & Diversity ‘policy so I can be 'rejected' later. However, I now understand as to why so many former employees have reviewed the organisation and its management as being very toxic, abysmal leadership, soul-destroying, bullying by lazy management, if the face fits, rewarding for bullies, bigots and reprobates as well as not recommending others to work at the HMCTS.
However, I applied for the above role and was shortlisted for an interview at the Nottingham Justice Centre. I arrived 15-20 minutes early and on entry, I was searched just like everyone else by the White Security Guard. I would say he was friendly and approachable and I informed him that I have an interview and he then advised me to take a seat and a few minutes later, he informed a Black Security Guard, he was also friendly and he told me to go to the first floor. Subsequently, an Asian member of staff came to receive me and she stated that she will take me through to the interview room as well as take my right to work documents from me to photocopy. I would say that she was friendly and patient.
However, then I was taken into the interview room but as soon as I made eye contact with the interview panel I felt very uncomfortable as everyone was from a predominant ethnicity and there wasn’t a single ethnic minority. Therefore, I had a feeling, that regardless of my performance or answers, I’m definitely going to get rejected. I sat down and was offered some water, which was already placed in the cup but I had my own water bottle with me, therefore, I drank that instead. The panel consisted of three members of staff: two were female and one was male. However, there was another female member of staff but she wasn’t part of the interview panel, as she was there to shadow the interview panel and didn’t ask any questions.
The layout of the interview room was odd as there were three tables placed horizontally between the interview panel and me. I was at the bottom end of the room & they were at the top end of the room, whilst the other female member of staff was to the right-hand side of the table. The male member of staff was seated in the middle and he introduced the panel and he stated that I can make use of my notes & ask for any question to be rephrased.
However, I answered each question using the STAR acronym and related my answer back to the Civil Service Competency Framework by ensuring that my response satisfies at least two to three positive indicators for that competency. As well as stating what I had learned from a review. Thereafter, they asked a few brief follow up questions & the interview panel was nodding their head throughout the interview. This gave me the reassurance that I’m definitely on the right track, as neither of them was scratching their heads or looking confused at any point.
Unfortunately, whenever I answered their questions the male member of staff would always respond by stating ‘brill’ (short for brilliant) but would then constantly state that ‘if you’re successful’ at the start of the interview, during the middle as well as the end of the interview. However, the two female members of staff never once mentioned ‘if you’re successful’ therefore it became apparent to me, that regardless of my answer I’m definitely going to get rejected (I was told that outcome will be in mid-August).
Also, I believe that the male member of staff decided to use my interview, to demonstrate to the other female member of staff, who was shadowing the panel, that this is the approach you should take when you want to reject a candidate due to the ‘face doesn’t fit’ mindset. When I looked in her direction, I saw a smirk on her face whilst she was on her laptop facing me & this confirmed my suspicion regarding the rejection.
Towards the end of the interview, the male member of staff stated that ‘it was nice meeting you’ & he could not be bothered to escort me out of the room. He looked towards the female member of staff towards his left to lead me out, but she was reluctant & then the female member of staff towards his right took the initiative & decided to escort me out. I believe that the male member of staff wanted to stay seated so he can engage in mockery regarding me, with the rest of them & then fill in the other member of staff when she returns.
