I recently faced a frustrating rejection after applying for a role at a company I used to work for from 2017 to 2019. I've been job hunting for over six months, submitting more than 1,200 applications and interviewing with about 50 companies, making it to nine final rounds without any offers. When I saw the opening for a position I originally built in 2018, I felt it was a perfect match. I left the company on good terms when they decided to focus on Europe, and since then, they've been known to rehire former employees. I applied for the role, reached out to my network, and even got a recommendation from the CTO. During my chat with the recruiter, I highlighted my direct experience and how my technical skills have expanded over the years. However, ten days later, I received a rejection stating there was a lack of "technical alignment." This baffled me because I helped create the role and my experience aligns closely with the requirements. Even my career coach was confused by this feedback. What frustrated me even more was not even getting a first-round interview with the hiring manager. I felt like my background wasn't communicated properly to the hiring team. In an effort to understand the disconnect, I reached out to the Head of HR, who initially referred me to the recruiter. I don't like going over someone's head, but the rejection reason didn't match my qualifications, and I felt compelled to seek clarity. Has anyone else dealt with a situation where the feedback seemed completely off given their history with a company?