To find it odd that I didn’t even get an interview?

[Weirdddd]

I applied for a job which I already actually do. It’s a very niche job, a small part of a fairly small sector. The job I applied for was what I do now at a large company, but for a smaller company that does the same thing. I applied for it despite it being over £10k less a year than I earn now as it would fit better with my family life (offered some remote working and flexible hours that I don’t get now).
I didn’t even get an interview! My CVs good, I have no doubts about that. I did a comprehensive cover letter specifying exactly how I meet all aspects of the JD/Person Spec and highlighted key achievements in this sector.
AIBU to think it’s a bit weird that I didn’t even get an interview? Just a generic ‘you have been unsuccessful and we will not be giving individual feedback’

AIBU to think this is a bit weird?

Its a highly regulated industry and they are hot on HR (Think government type role)

Any ideas why?

If you're so well qualified for the role they may well be worried that they won't be able to keep you long term as there is no room for you to grow and develop. Sometimes people get suspicious of the motivations of highly qualified people - are you just using it as a stopgap for example.

Before you assume that it was a lined up candidate, have you thought about asking for feedback? I saw a job a while back that sounded great and I could tick all the boxes. I wrote a great cover letter showing how I met the criteria, updated my cv and sent it off. Within 24 hours, I got a rejection email from HR. I asked why I wasn’t shortlisted when I seemed a good fit for the role and they were happy to explain. A number of applicants had experience in the exact sector they were working in (external, I assume a competitor) and although this was not a requirement in the job pack, they clearly had an advantage over candidates who hadn’t got this experience.

Looking back, I suspect the fact it was a remote role played a part in the recruitment and I wonder if a competitor had just issued a return to office mandate so all the good staff were voting with their feet.