Confused about rejection emails

[JobHunt55]

I was made redundant earlier this year so have been applying for roles for little while. Im keen to get back into work but not desperate from a financial perspective (although holidays and any other non essential spending largely on hold until I get a job).

I have been quite selective about the roles I have applied for although because of the hybrid / remote possibilities there have been more opportunities than previously.

Historically, when applying for jobs, if I wasn’t shortlisted for interview I generally wouldn’t hear anything, or get a short generic letter/email to say I hadn’t been shortlisted. However, recently, the rejection emails have been personalised (addressed to me and from a named person), mention specific strengths on my CV that impressed them, and gently said that I wasn’t shortlisted on this occasion but to keep an eye on their website for any future roles. Is this the new way of rejecting candidates now ?

Anyone ?

I was looking for jobs earlier this year and I never had this.

Are you applying for 'stretch roles'? So, they think you're a strong candidate but not quite strong enough for the role you've applied for?

Could easily be done by AI and stops the follow up calls and emails asking for feedback.

Yes I've experienced this recently as well

I’ve had the same and yup, think it’s AI. Pretty scary because however inclusive companies say they are, I worry that I’m getting filtered out because of age.

Also I think in the past if you had 8/10 skills but the company had an inkling perhaps from a cover letter that you'd be a good fit you’d get interviewed, with the idea you could learn the others. Now it feels 100% like a keyword/box ticking exercise.