How to handle a "courtesy interview"?

You send in the paperwork and do what you can to legally/ethically get your dream job. It really sounds like these people want to hire you. W/r/t the failed search last year, "not enough qualified applicants" != "I am not qualified". You don't say where you work, but where I work (for a state institution) we have strict rules governing how job searches are conducted. We could have an ideal candidate apply, but if we don't have enough applications or a diverse enough interview pool we can't continue the search. It's not that we didn't like the ideal candidate. It's that the rules are structured to make sure the hiring process is fair to everyone (minority and historically discriminated groups; avoid nepotism and favored hiring; etc).

In case you haven't got it by now and the answers so far: you're being dense and only seeing a pseudo-rejection/less than positive outcome each time, possibly through a lack of confidence in your abilities. There are plenty of positives here, you're just not seeing them. since they did not get enough qualified applicants, they would not be filling the position. I took that to mean I was not qualified and thought it was done. No, it means that not enough qualified people applied so they can't fulfill their hiring criteria. If you weren't qualified, someone else would have got the job. NO-ONE got the job. If you weren't qualified then, they wouldn't be contacting you now. They clearly have some rules on hiring that involve a certain volume of applicants. Why would their HR, her, and everyone involved go through the trouble to offer me a "courtesy interview" and tell me it's a courtesy interview in advance? NOBODY gets an interview unless they are interested in seeing that person. Interviews are a massive waste of time. No-one can be bothered to interview a candidate if they won't fit. They offered you an interview as a courtesy to the people that recommended you and because you applied before. If you'd applied this time as normal, you'd just be getting 'an interview'. The courtesy is because you got one even though you didn't apply. By the way - what's happened here is that enough people (with sufficient respect in the company) have said good things about you that they have not only listened, but dug up your ancient application and have contacted you out the blue and offered you an interview. Even though you didn't apply for the job. They did this despite other people having spoon-fed them candidates for the job by applying. If that doesn't make you feel warm, fuzzy and wanted you need to slap yourself in the head... "Since you did not apply through the [regular channel] and we offered you a courtesy interview, we'd like you to send us [paperwork] before we speak with you." This just means - we need an application like everyone else or our system is screwed and if we hire you we may be in trouble for not doing our due diligence. I don't want to waste anyone's time or take focus away from candidates who actually applied. How do I handle this situation? You need to stand in front of a mirror and, frankly, have a fucking word with yourself. You 'don't want to take the focus away from the other candidates'? Do you not want the job? Because that is what trying for a job is. The WHOLE POINT is to take the focus off the other candidates. Push that focus your way because clearly you have a lot of people pushing you to get this job - not because they like you, but because they think you'll be good at it. People don't recommend people if that person getting the job will make them look bad later on. You seem to have quite significant self-doubt here. So I have been blunt. Because you need to get over that stuff, stop worrying and see this as the opportunity that you have wanted for a while and stop trying to convince yourself you aren't qualified, or they're just going through the motions.

Best case: Dream job! Worst case: Networking opportunity with people in Dream Division. How do you handle this? Dress nicely, arrive 10 minutes early.

I don't want to waste anyone's time or take focus away from candidates who actually applied. Well, that's why they're requesting the paperwork, so you will have "actually applied." People don't set up job interviews with candidates they aren't seriously considering, especially candidates that didn't seek them out. The only way you'd be wasting anyone's time is if you were certain you wouldn't take the job. They like you! Ignore the word "courtesy" and take this whole situation as a good sign (though not necessarily a slam dunk). Give it your best shot, and good luck!

I also read "not enough qualified people applied" as "we can't hire anyone unless N>1 potential candidates apply", not "you are not qualified".

I think the term "courtesy interview" here means that they initiated the interview request, not that it is merely a formality that they are interviewing you. It's your dream job. Don't give up the chance to interview! Even if you don't land it this time either, you'll be better prepared for when the next interview rolls around.

My read on it is that they now need to fill the job but they know there are no walk-in-qualified people so they have decided to develop someone into the role. They may even have to fill it or lose funding for the position. You come well recommended and have shown keenness in the past so they think you may be a possible fit for the job. Psychologically, this plays well in your favour - they already believe in you, you just have to prove them right. How do I handle this situation? 1. Take a deep breath and then punch the air exhaling Yesss! 2. Complete the paperwork they sent you. Check and recheck before sending. 3. Prepare for the interview. 4. Got to interview and do your best. 5. Come back here and tell us what happened. Congratulations on the opportunity!

Yeah, I don't care if they said, "We aren't hiring someone, and even if we were, we wouldn't hire you, but we'd like you to come interview so we can laugh at how your socks don't match your pocket square." You STILL go for the interview and take your best shot at making it impossible for them to not hire you. Good luck!

It's an interview and you have an opportunity to impress these people. The end.