Am I being jerked around regarding a specific job opportunity?

[drm604]

2. Maybe I should apply for the job through Dice just to see what happens.

None of it makes any sense to me.

Even if they're playing me; why? What was the point in stringing me along, then asking if I'd accept contract for hire, then telling me they're working on the contract, then telling me that they're not hiring at all right now. Who gains from doing that?

Is the recruiter screwing with me and lying to me for some reason? Is the company screwing with both the recruiter and me?

Obviously I'm not waiting around to see if the company starts hiring again (if they ever really stopped). I'm still looking for work, but I've been looking for months and this was the first company that showed any real interest. I was given the impression that I was very likely going to be hired, then strung along, then told they weren't hiring. That was quite a kick in the teeth as my savings are rapidly being depleted and I thought that I had found work.