Applied for a job, didn't get it but they're still advertising?

[PeatrixBotter]

The job I am most trained in, most want to do and am most qualified for is quite niche, very rarely see posts advertised for it so I was ecstatic when I saw one, seeing as I were made redundant earlier this year.
Interview went reasonably well although I did have a tech issue-then they got in touch (earlier than they said they would) to tell me I came across well, but another applicant had more relevant experience. I have been looking for jobs since, always am.

This morning I see that the job is still being advertised? It wasn't yesterday. Is this one of those 'fake jobs' situations? Doesn't seem to fully fit?

Should I email my contact there and ask if there's another position, should I apply?

I understand why I wasn't accepted-I was just surprised (hence me updating today) that apparently nobody else was either. I doubt they all came upon the same issues. Made me doubt the company somewhat-but I haev had a lot of comprehensive answers around why this may be too, now.

The world of recruitment has been a minefield for me so far this time around. I did have an encounter with what I knew was a 'fake job' a few months ago, so I was wondering if this was something similar or if anyone had experienced similar.

I will see what happens over the next couple of meetings I have.
Again, interesting conversation and I appreciate everyone's responses!

Ask them to reconsider. Sometimes it is just that someone else will have better chemistry with the existing team.

The preferred candidate has fallen through.

it doesn’t hurt to ask but as they have not proactively contacted you don’t hold out too much hope.

I went through a stage of going to a lot of job interviews & this is quite common really. One job which I did get had a completely different set of management by the time I started (both got their preferred job offered them & just left). At the same time, I didn't get a job where I thought the interview had gone well (didn't hear anything!) then about two months later, a cheery chappy phoned to say they'd like to offer me the post. I already had a job by then & had forgotten all about them. All sorts of stuff happens & you, as an individual, are at the bottom of most employers considerations.

Read the advert. and apply again as advised. Treat it like a new application.
You have some information now that might help.

I agree with this.

Our HR department would have kept the details of other candidates till at least the successful candidates starts the job, so it would seem odd that they don't have your details.

I appointment someone for a job and she had a 3mth notice period at her current job. A week before starting with us, she asked for more money because her current role had offered her more to stay. Long story short- she didn't start. I contacted the 2nd best candidate but he had taken another job. None of the other candidates were suitable. I was therefore back to square one having to advertise and re-interview all over again.

Where I work they had interviews last month but offered an internal candidate, a few weeks later someone in the same role resigned so they went back to the second choice candidate to offer, who accepted. So employers are not shy of re approaching the right candidate when they want to. It's quite common in my experience both as a candidate and hiring manager for candidates to do well in the early stages but in the final stage when their suitability is explored in more depth, they are not quite right.

Good points about all the nuances. I just found it odd that none of their interviewees were viable, given it is quite a niche role and the criteria they were asking for was a bit of a 'mixed bag' that I cannot envision a lot of people having, that were actively looking, if that makes sense.

But, I had an interview yesterday, similar role just higher level and got it straight away. Makes me a bit more confident that this is not a 'me' issue.

The one I didn't get is more suitable for me in terms of hours and other factors but I can't complain about this situation overall

Congrats on the new role, even if its not your preferred one xxx

Thank you so much. I have had another interview today for some extra (freelance) work that also seemed to go well.

That's the exact same work as the interview/job in the OP, just a freelance position rather than employed. You win some you lose some!