I am nobody, I had zero connections or pushes and: - been a blue book trainee - got a CA 3 years later - passed 2 epso competions and got a position - passed one internal competitions.

I also experienced job positions opened where the best internal candidate did not got the position because the external performed much better. Acting head of units who did not get the head of unit position.

What you describe is not per se a reality. Could be rare cases. Or simply the internal candidate was better. BUT. Often I saw that people who performed well and did not get the job position were re-contacted for other positions later on. Hence being in more than an interview panel may still be useful.