Strange feedback after interview

[PithyMauveZebra]

So, I went for an interview yesterday. I was unsuccessful. However, I asked them at the time to provide me with some feedback to help me moving forward. The feedback seemed odd. Mentioning things I’d already explained in the interview. Stating that they’re love to have me but I’d be taking on a role that has less responsibility than what I do now.

The feedback just seemed strange. But all I can recall was when myself and the other candidate was in the room and the senior team walked in saying “hello there we’ve met before” then looked at me and just said hi. It seemed all conversation was also directed towards the other candidate.

I guess it’s just a mini rant I thought I did well but clearly not. Then I end up stuck in this failure mindset and panicking about how to leave my current place when I’m so unhappy.

In all honesty I find interview feedback meaningless. It’s rarely a decent reflection of your interview performance, it’s rarely constructive because each interview is a different experience, each interviewer is looking for different things in a candidate. You can’t take one piece of feedback and apply it as word.
If they already knew the other candidate perhaps they were internal or had some other internal connection that gave them an advantage. Perhaps they have more experience than you or have more detail.
Don’t dwell on this one. Keep applying, and practice answering interview questions out loud - that really helps.