In any job vacancy the best (according to the company perception) candidate gets the gig. It's not to say others were poor or in fact would not do a better job. That's how the system works. Pilots are not special other than employment tends to flow in rapid waves followed by seemingly endless calmness. This is perhaps why QF apparently still maintains this 'hold file' system. So it's up to the candidate to toot the company's train set in the way the company think is right during the interview process. Do it well and you won't be the 'majority in the bell curve' who quite possibly won't be required. Successful or not an attitude focusing on self improvement and individual development will always be more productive than blaming uncontrollable external factors that are baked in an oven of wishful mistruths.