I applied for the position through LinkedIn and was promptly contacted via email regarding my salary expectations and work permit status. Shortly after, the recruitment partner reached out for a phone conversation, which was positive and led to an invitation for an online interview with the hiring manager and a peer from the department. After that interview, I was asked to prepare a case study presentation. Within a span of four days, I progressed through the initial steps, and exactly one week later, I delivered the presentation in person at their office. The feedback from the hiring manager was highly encouraging—she expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for my insights. However, despite this positive engagement, I was informed almost two weeks later that I had not been selected for the role, even though I was one of the final candidates. The written feedback provided by the recruiter included a comprehensive list of positive remarks, with only one area for improvement: "She should overcome her local mindset." Given my extensive experience working for large-scale multinational companies, collaborating with global and regional teams for years, and having lived and worked across Asia, the Middle East, and now Europe and traveled the world, this comment appeared inconsistent with my professional background. Additionally, I come from a diverse family with international connections, further reinforcing my global outlook. Seeking clarification, I requested further explanation. After two weeks, the recruitment partner conveyed that the comment was not a reflection of my abilities but rather related to the specific requirements of the role. They emphasized that the company valued my skills and would have liked to work with me but ultimately sought a candidate with a "more international" profile. Exactly with that words. Subsequently, I noticed that the selected candidate had no prior experience in HR project management but was born in an European country, had educational ties to the country where the role was based, had briefly worked in the hiring manager’s home country, and spoke the same language as one of the interviewers. This raised concerns for me regarding the selection criteria and the extent to which inclusivity and global experience were genuinely prioritized in the hiring process.