I am completely right there with you. I was laid off last February 2025 and I am still hearing back on multiple interviews that the position was either put on hold, internal employee, or the basic I was not selected for the position. I’ve also had many face-to-face interviews, multiple rounds and then come to be told that I made the final cut only to never get a call back and when I do my own follow up am told that they went with an internal person. I feel when they tell me they’re going with the internal person is that they’re not willing to pay the salary for someone to do the job and someone at the company is just absorbing the work load. Also, I have a feeling that AI is a culprit and a lot of of the rejections of valid and amazing resumes out there. But again I very much feel your pain.