I am (34F) and my friend is (32F). We have worked at the same company together for about 4 years, and we both are looking to leave for other opportunities. My friend recently showed me an application to a job through her network that she thought she was unqualified for (but had connections to), and thought I would be better qualified.

I looked at the application, realized it was exactly what I was looking for, but was wary because she kept telling me "this is my dream job but I'm unqualified for it". I ended up deciding to apply after she told me I should, and scored an interview pretty much right away.

I thought she would be excited for me and told her about it, and she immediately got very icy with me. Apparently she had talked to her contact at the company and now she is applying because she "might have a shot and this is the dream she's been looking for" and pressured me to drop my application and is upset that I applied.

For context, this is a pretty senior role looking for very specific technical requirements. I have the experience and she does not - but she knows an executive at the company and believes that she has a chance at the role. I called her after my interview to let her know that I am continuing the process and she has been icy to me ever since. I told her that I would be happy for her if she got the role over me (this market is tough for sure), but I can tell she's extremely upset and am at a loss as to what to do.

On one hand, this is a role I'm interested in as well, and on the other hand I feel like I've done her a disservice jumping the gun and applying to something she was excited about before she had a chance to talk to her contact. She says she wishes I considered her feelings before applying, but I'm struggling with that because she encouraged me to until she found out she may also have a shot at an interview.

AITAH if I continue the interview process? I know there must have been a miscommunication somewhere or I misread her intentions sharing it with me, but I also feel like if you tell me you're not qualified for the role then it's fair game.