Apply to the same University after a rejection I applied for a faculty position last year and did a video interview, but got rejected (for some unknown reason because they asked some routine questions). However, they did not hire anyone eventually and have opened the position with a bit difference and description this year.
Do you think that I should apply again given that they reviewed my case last year and did not give me a virtual campus interview (the campus interview, based on what I heard, was conducted virtually due to COVID-19)?
Or, do you think that I should approach the search committee chair and ask if they recommend me to apply again? What I am saying is that it will be a waste of time on both sides if their concern about my application was serious last year.
P.S. One of my friends applied to the same place twice, got an interview twice, and got rejected twice!
I would suggest that it would be worth re-applying only if something substantial and important has changed. The change could be with you, or it could be with the university.
You say that the job description is not the same as previously. That is a change, but I can't say that it is a sufficient change. Presumably the place has pretty high standards and a lot of applications.
It could also be that the recent emphasis in online education has made you a better fit. Or a possible drop in the number of likely applicants for the new position relative to the previous announcement.
But the change could also be with you. Have you improved your CV since the previous application? Have you gotten an important new advocate to write letters for you?
Maybe both things have changed enough for you to be a better fit now. But if not, it is unlikely to be any more successful in this cycle.