I write, excited to have a conversation, point to a relatively polished portfolio, and an HR person comes back to tell me that the position is filled or they ar

I write, excited to have a conversation, point to a relatively polished portfolio, and an HR person comes back to tell me that the position is filled or they are hiring a stronger match. No, actually they are hiring. They just aren't hiring you. When companies say the position is "filled," it's just an artful way (or so they would like to think) of saying that they're passing on you -- but are still looking for a better match. So when you see the exact same ad posted again next month, in the very same spot, don't be in the least surprised. Yes, it sucks that things are this way. It's a sucky industry generally, when it comes to simple things like communicating honestly, and treating candidates is if they're regular adults (capable of taking a straight-up rejection), rather than children, who need to be fed a "line" so they'll go and play somewhere else.