sock_it_toomey's journey

I recently went through what I thought was a third round interview for a position I was really excited about. Instead, it turned out to be a rejection meeting. The hiring manager told me that I was so professional in the second interview that she felt compelled to meet with me again. She expressed that she wanted to hire me but ultimately couldn't because I lacked the specific experience she was looking for. I was completely blindsided and felt like my hopes were crushed. It felt like being slapped in the face while being handed a participation trophy. Has anyone else experienced a rejection in such a direct manner?