Got rejected from a job - but it was just to make it onto their "list" in case there was a vacancy.

Context: I applied for this in February/March ish. Got an email in April stating I get to do an assessment (yay) that I must pass to move on. They had one time and one date to attend. They inform us that after this, if we pass THEN our application is reviewed and we may get interview. If we pass THAT, then we get put on a list for 8 months in case there is a vacancy for the role. Welp.

Time goes by, until this:

Wanted to provide an update around your recent online assessment for the XXX role (Eligibility List) job competition.

Firstly, we would like to thank you for taking time in participating in the assessment process. This is to let you know that you had passed the assessment but unfortunately, the hiring manager has decided to proceed with only internal candidates that had passed at this time. The reason for considering only internal candidates is due to there being a very high number of them that had passed.

As such unfortunately, we will not be moving forward with your job application.

We would like to wish you all the very best in your job search and we hope that you will consider Toronto Community Housing as a place to build your career in the future.

Kind regards,

People & Culture
ORGANIZATION [removed for secrecy, but its a BIG non profit in the city]

I am a fresh masters graduate, I am young, I did everything right, got high distinction in both my degrees, made friends, networked, had my resume reviewed, made multiple versions of resumes, did everything the way people told me to. But man between being ghosted and job postings for "lists" like this, I don't know how I am supposed to start my life and work. I don't have strict work criteria and salary ranges can be in the dirt but I feel no one is giving me a chance. I have graduated with a degree in social work into a recession and my connections are not in positions to refer me to jobs either - even though everyone tells you we need social workers. Funny how that works, right?

Rant over.