So a manager at my workplace had told me to apply to two different jobs. Backstory: I was hired on for a position in which the person who left to another internal position was going to return to (this person now decided they aren't coming back to the role so I have been offered to continue).
SO prior to knowing this person was not returning, the department manager told me to apply to an internal role, which I did. They insinuated I would get the role by saying things like “the interview is just a formality” and “I see you as a bridge between clients and our services” yada yada they hyped me up to feel like I'd gotten it. Fast forwarded, they hired someone else. I was pissed to say the least but I let it go. OH and I knew this ahead of time because my partner is friends with the person who got hired. The manager approached them after I had my interview and told them they'd open up the closed posting for them to apply. this person didn't apply and didn't ask to apply they were approached by my manager. It was at this point I also found out I would be offered to stay in my current role, so I thought no worries (although I would like to leave for certain reasons).
The manager then approaches me again and asks why I hadn't applied to this other internal position and encouraged me to apply (said they want growth for me since they see something in me). The posting for the job was closed already but they said they would open it back up for me to apply. So I applied. They interviewed me and said they'd let me know by next week. Then today they called me into their office and said sorry but we actually went with another candidate. I asked what it was I could do to improve but they just said I was great and it was just lack of experience. I'm feeling confused and aggravated. Like why would you ask me to apply, on a job posting that was closed only to reject me AGAIN. To add insult to injury they said “I hope you're not disheartened and I will continue to find jobs internally for you to apply to because you have a skillset I know is key to us” or whatever. The thing is too the interview was a Friday prior to end of day and i was told on a Monday. So it seems to me like they would've already known the candidate they wanted prior to asking me to apply and interviewing me?
All this leads to the question is this manager a d**k or am I overthinking this? It's making me want to leave and I have started looking for other jobs.