[Cpoll]

This contradicts your earlier statement, "we had one opening, but five or even ten excellent final candidates," and ignores the criticism: "is it me or is is it you?"

Although I suppose you're saying that promising candidates are kept on file for later?

[steveklabnik]

I will be honest, I do not understand what you're saying. It's possible I just need more coffee.

[Cpoll]

> If [the job applicant materials] didn't get you in the first time, they won't the next time

> we had one opening, but five or even ten excellent final candidates

Under my interpretation , these statements contradict each other. The former implies that a candidate's failure is always the result of their shortcomings. The latter implies that a qualified candidate can be edged out through little fault of their own. The parent poster complained of exactly this; they weren't sure whether they were ineligible or simply edged out.