I have worked for the last 10 years in a very large organisation as a software developer. I work on a complete bespoke payment solution that processes about 1 million dollars in new payments each day. I am the only developer who knows the insides of the application and the only developer who makes any code changes. I am involved in all the tasks within this app from writing stored procs, any coding in C#, making designing and implementing APIs, business analysis with the team that uses the app, unit testing, database design, to arranging and performing the deployment. It is quite a stressful position because if this app was to crash I fear it would make it in the news, due to the large payments the system makes.
My last promotion was more than 7 years ago. Every 6 months we have compulsory performance reviews, and at every performance review, I say I haven't received a promotion and want a promotion. My manager at the time says something similar to "yes, we value you in our team! We have a place for a promotion in the future for you". However, the problem is my boss then quits and I get a new boss.
I have had about 7 different bosses tell me something similar to "yes a promotion is on the horizon", for my boss to then resign and disappear. I feel like I am stuck in a movie because although it is a different boss, they almost repeat the exact pattern.
Late last year, a new position within the organisation was finally advertised on Seek.com.au for a Database Architect position currently advertised paying more than double my salary, I applied for the position thinking I would be a good fit as I do a lot of database design for the business area I am in, and have experience in the complicated subsidy calculation and payment rules etc, and would be perfect for the role. I spent about 4 hours after work every night and most of the weekend studying for the interview, brushing up on database architect knowledge. There were 5 people on the interview panel. Two months later I received a meeting with one of the people on the interview panel, and he mentioned I didn't get the job and said no candidates who applied got the job.
A month later, a new position within the organisation was advertised on Seek.com.au for a Technical Lead position. I have always been the tech lead essentially for this critical finance bespoke software, and I am also happy to learn leadership especially for a tech lead position. So I apply, a month later I get an email "this vacancy no longer exists and has therefore been withdrawn". I follow up, and yet again nobody got the role of Technical Lead position. Nobody was recruited.
Two months ago, a new position within the organisation was advertised on Seek.com.au for a DevOps Engineer position. I use Azure DevOps, know how to build pipelines, create documentation, and automated tests etc, so I applied for the role thinking maybe I can at least get this position. I spend about 30 hours on the weekends reading DevOps books and videos and preparing myself for the interview. I have an interview, on the panel is my current line manager, my current line manager's boss, and someone from the business; no one on the panel can write any code and the role is for a DevOps Engineer position. Anyway, a month passes and I find out, I didn't get the job, surprised, I asked how come? And my line managers' boss on Teams says "we couldn't find anyone with the right fit". Nobody got the job. And I have still not been promoted for 7 years.
So last month, a new position within the organisation was advertised on Seek.com.au for a "Digital Solutions Officer", which in my understanding of the role (because I knew the guy who left) was pretty much making HTML web apps based on the needs of different teams within the organisation, so basically like BA + Dev skillset, who can make small CRUD apps. So I apply because hey I can definitely code and I can definitely do BA, and the role is advertised for a lot more than my current pay, I am excited and have the interview, I thought it went well. Today I received a call stating that "Unfortunately, you didn't get the position, and that nobody was awarded the position as we had no preferred candidates for the role".
Each time I have applied for these positions, getting excited and my hopes up for finally a chance for a promotion, spending hours crafting a custom cover letter, and studying for the interview, and dressing up, getting my suit cleaned, getting a haircut. Only to be told, that not only did I not win the position but nobody won the position; has made me felt like shit, worthless and sad. I feel so disheartened and even humiliated.
My employer advertises job positions, creates interviews and then rejects all the candidates
What do I do? Where do I go from here?