And in places like academia there are rules where you have to post a job opening even if the job already has a candidate picked (say a lab manager for an incomi

And in places like academia there are rules where you have to post a job opening even if the job already has a candidate picked (say a lab manager for an incoming scientist who wants to hire their spouse for the job). People who don't know the situation apply and are interviewed even though there is no real possibility that they will get the job.