diff --git a/backend/job/app.py b/backend/job/app.py
index 6036a95..d271172 100644
--- a/backend/job/app.py
+++ b/backend/job/app.py
@@ -337,6 +337,7 @@ async def cv_bank_upload(
     except HTTPException:
         raise
     except Exception as e:
+        logger.exception("cv-bank upload failed")
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500,detail=str(e))
 
 
@@ -660,6 +661,31 @@ async def fetch_job_posts(
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500,detail=str(e))
 
 
+@router.get("/job/departments/fetch")
+async def fetch_job_departments(
+    active_only: bool = Query(False),
+    current_user: dict = Depends(
+        require_permission(
+            PermissionTag.JOB_BOARD_VIEW,
+            PermissionTag.CANDIDATES_VIEW,
+            PermissionTag.TALENT_VIEW,
+            PermissionTag.JOBS_VIEW,
+            require_all=False,
+        )
+    ),
+    session: AsyncSession = Depends(get_session),
+):
+    """Distinct job_posts.department values for filter dropdowns."""
+    try:
+        service=JobPost(session=session)
+        data=await service.fetch_departments(active_only=active_only)
+        return JSONResponse(content={"data":data,"total":len(data),"status_code":200})
+    except HTTPException:
+        raise
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500,detail=str(e))
+
+
 @router.get("/jobs/fetch")
 async def fetch_jobs(
     search: str | None = Query(None),
diff --git a/backend/job/candidate/models.py b/backend/job/candidate/models.py
index c7a8a13..b599971 100644
--- a/backend/job/candidate/models.py
+++ b/backend/job/candidate/models.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession
 from sqlalchemy.orm import selectinload
 from sqlmodel import Field, Relationship, SQLModel, select
 
-from linkedin_utils import NO_SLUG, slug_from_url
+from linkedin_utils import NO_SLUG, primary_slug_from_text, slug_from_url
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from inbox.models import Inbox
diff --git a/backend/job/job_post/models.py b/backend/job/job_post/models.py
index 78e35aa..6765169 100644
--- a/backend/job/job_post/models.py
+++ b/backend/job/job_post/models.py
@@ -167,6 +167,24 @@ class JobPosts(SQLModel, table=True):
         result = await session.execute(statement)
         return list(result.scalars().all()), total
 
+    @classmethod
+    async def list_departments(cls, session: AsyncSession, *, active_only: bool = False):
+        """Distinct non-empty departments on non-deleted job posts.
+
+        The column default is "" — those rows are omitted so a dropdown never
+        offers a blank option. Closed requisitions still contribute unless
+        `active_only` is set: a past hiring department is a legitimate filter.
+        """
+        statement = select(cls.department).where(
+            cls.is_deleted == False,  # noqa: E712
+            cls.department != "",
+        )
+        if active_only:
+            statement = statement.where(cls.is_active == True)  # noqa: E712
+        statement = statement.distinct().order_by(cls.department)
+        result = await session.execute(statement)
+        return list(result.scalars().all())
+
     @classmethod
     async def insert_job_post(cls, session: AsyncSession, fields: dict):
         row = cls(**fields)
diff --git a/backend/job/job_post/views.py b/backend/job/job_post/views.py
index c42af25..21f6414 100644
--- a/backend/job/job_post/views.py
+++ b/backend/job/job_post/views.py
@@ -183,6 +183,9 @@ class JobPost:
         )
         return [serialize_job_post(r) for r in rows],total
 
+    async def fetch_departments(self,active_only=False):
+        return await JobPosts.list_departments(self.session,active_only=active_only)
+
     async def fetch_jobs(self,search=None,department=None,requisition_status=None,
                          employment_type=None,top=None,skip=0,active_only=True):
         rows,total=await JobPosts.fetch_job_posts(
diff --git a/backend/users/models.py b/backend/users/models.py
index 6a075cd..53b8500 100644
--- a/backend/users/models.py
+++ b/backend/users/models.py
@@ -211,7 +211,12 @@ class Users(SQLModel, table=True):
         user = cls(**fields)
         session.add(user)
         await session.commit()
-        return await cls.get_user_by_id(session, user.id)
+        # get_user_by_id is staff-only (role_id != 8). Candidate inserts must
+        # still return the row — CV bank / Add Candidate call user.id next.
+        loaded = await cls.get_user_by_id(session, user.id)
+        if loaded is not None:
+            return loaded
+        return await cls.get_user_id(session, user.id)
 
     @classmethod
     async def update_user(cls, session: AsyncSession, record_id: str, fields: dict):
diff --git a/frontend/src/api/jobPosts.js b/frontend/src/api/jobPosts.js
index 0cdb18a..9a16844 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/jobPosts.js
+++ b/frontend/src/api/jobPosts.js
@@ -1,5 +1,18 @@
 import { request } from '../lib/apiClient'
 
+/**
+ * Distinct departments on job_posts — GET /job/departments/fetch.
+ *
+ * Vocabulary for candidate / talent department dropdowns. Empty strings (the
+ * column default) are omitted server-side. `activeOnly` defaults false so a
+ * closed requisition's department still appears.
+ */
+export function listDepartments({ activeOnly = false } = {}) {
+  return request('/job/departments/fetch', {
+    params: { active_only: activeOnly },
+  })
+}
+
 /**
  * Active job posts — Job Matching hydrates suggestions and the manual picker.
  *
diff --git a/frontend/src/data/seed.js b/frontend/src/data/seed.js
index a5a86dc..316e9c7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/data/seed.js
+++ b/frontend/src/data/seed.js
@@ -63,7 +63,12 @@ export const TODAY = new Date('2026-07-09T09:00:00');
   function email(name) { return name.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z ]/g, '').replace(/ /g, '.') + '@' + pick(['gmail.com', 'outlook.com', 'proton.me', 'icloud.com']); }
   function phone() { return '+1 (' + int(200, 989) + ') ' + int(200, 999) + '-' + int(1000, 9999); }
   function daysAgo(n) { const d = new Date(TODAY); d.setDate(d.getDate() - n); return d; }
-  function fmtDate(d) { return d.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { month: 'short', day: 'numeric', year: 'numeric' }); }
+  function fmtDate(d) {
+    if (d == null || d === '') return ''
+    const date = d instanceof Date ? d : new Date(d)
+    if (Number.isNaN(date.getTime())) return ''
+    return date.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { month: 'short', day: 'numeric', year: 'numeric' })
+  }
   function fmtShort(d) { return d.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { month: 'short', day: 'numeric' }); }
 
   const avatarColors = ['var(--av-1)', 'var(--av-2)', 'var(--av-3)', 'var(--av-4)', 'var(--av-5)', 'var(--av-6)', 'var(--av-7)', 'var(--av-8)'];
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/queryKeys.js b/frontend/src/lib/queryKeys.js
index 4ac7797..641f3eb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/queryKeys.js
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/queryKeys.js
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ export const qk = {
   jobPosts: {
     all: () => ['jobPosts'],
     list: (p = {}) => ['jobPosts', 'list', p],
+    departments: (p = {}) => ['jobPosts', 'departments', p],
   },
   jobs: {
     all: () => ['jobs'],
diff --git a/frontend/src/screens/Candidates.jsx b/frontend/src/screens/Candidates.jsx
index 69eb05f..bbe2068 100644
--- a/frontend/src/screens/Candidates.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/screens/Candidates.jsx
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import { useFormState } from '../components/AuthLayout'
 import { persist, useSeedMutation } from '../data/seedQueries'
 import { avatarColor, fmtDate, initials as initialsOf, sources, stages } from '../data/seed'
 
-const EMPTY_FILTERS = { account: '' }
+const EMPTY_FILTERS = { account: '', department: '' }
 
 /** Same ladder Talent Pool uses for Advance Stage on the shared profile modal. */
 const STAGE_ORDER = ['Shortlist', 'Screening', 'Assessment', 'Interview', 'Offer', 'Hired']
@@ -137,6 +137,13 @@ export default function Candidates() {
     queryFn: () => fetchCandidates({ top: pageSize, skip }),
   })
   const jobsQuery = useQuery({ queryKey: qk.jobPosts.list(), queryFn: fetchJobs })
+  const deptsQuery = useQuery({
+    queryKey: qk.jobPosts.departments(),
+    queryFn: async () => {
+      const res = await jobPostsApi.listDepartments()
+      return Array.isArray(res?.data) ? res.data : []
+    },
+  })
   const candidates = useMemo(() => candidatesQuery.data ?? [], [candidatesQuery.data])
   const jobsById = useMemo(
     () => Object.fromEntries((jobsQuery.data ?? []).map((j) => [j.id, j])),
@@ -352,6 +359,7 @@ export default function Candidates() {
                   with the scoring columns: on a users row every one of them would
                   match nothing and silently empty the table. */}
               <Facet label="Account" value={filters.account} onChange={(v) => setFilter('account', v)} any="Any Account" options={['Active', 'Unconfirmed']} />
+              <Facet label="Department" value={filters.department} onChange={(v) => setFilter('department', v)} any="All Departments" options={deptsQuery.data ?? []} />
             </div>
           )}
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/screens/CvImport.jsx b/frontend/src/screens/CvImport.jsx
index acb08e7..07c9699 100644
--- a/frontend/src/screens/CvImport.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/screens/CvImport.jsx
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@ export default function CvImport() {
         try {
           const res = await candidatesApi.uploadToCvBank(files[k])
           results.push({ rowId: rowIds[k], ok: true, email: res?.data?.candidate_email ?? null })
-        } catch {
-          results.push({ rowId: rowIds[k], ok: false, error: 'FAILED' })
+        } catch (err) {
+          results.push({ rowId: rowIds[k], ok: false, error: friendlyAuthError(err, 'FAILED') })
         }
       }
       return results
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ export default function CvImport() {
                         </div>
                       )}
                       {i.status === 'Failed' && (
-                        <div className="cell-sub" style={{ marginTop: 4 }}>Could not be processed</div>
+                        <div className="cell-sub" style={{ marginTop: 4 }}>{i.error || 'Could not be processed'}</div>
                       )}
                     </div>
                     <div style={{ textAlign: 'right', flexShrink: 0 }}>
diff --git a/frontend/src/screens/Inbox.jsx b/frontend/src/screens/Inbox.jsx
index efed63d..bee6987 100644
--- a/frontend/src/screens/Inbox.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/screens/Inbox.jsx
@@ -123,8 +123,8 @@ function outlookListTime(value) {
  * Nothing matches -> show the first recipient verbatim rather than guess.
  */
 function sourceFrom(messageTo) {
-  const raw = (messageTo || '').trim()
-  if (!raw) return { source: 'Unknown', sourceMeta: null }
+  const raw = typeof messageTo === 'string' ? messageTo.trim() : String(messageTo ?? '').trim()
+  if (!raw || raw === '[object Object]') return { source: 'Unknown', sourceMeta: null }
   const flat = raw.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z]/g, '')
   const hit = inboxSources.find((s) => flat.includes(s.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z]/g, '')))
   if (hit) return { source: hit, sourceMeta: sourceMeta[hit] }
@@ -304,7 +304,9 @@ async function fetchMessageDetail(recordId) {
     matchError: row.match_error || '',
     matchedAt: parseDate(row.matched_at),
     resumeText: row.resume_text || '',
-    suggestedIds: (row.suggested_job_post_ids || []).map(String),
+    suggestedIds: Array.isArray(row.suggested_job_post_ids)
+      ? row.suggested_job_post_ids.map(String)
+      : [],
     suggestedPosts: Array.isArray(row.suggested_job_posts) ? row.suggested_job_posts : [],
     assignedId: row.assigned_job_post_id ? String(row.assigned_job_post_id) : null,
     assignedPost: row.assigned_job_post || null,
@@ -350,7 +352,9 @@ async function fetchApplications(params) {
         experience: row.experience,
         recruiter: row.recruiter,
         duplicate: Boolean(row.duplicate),
-        suggestedIds: (row.suggested_job_post_ids || []).map(String),
+        suggestedIds: Array.isArray(row.suggested_job_post_ids)
+          ? row.suggested_job_post_ids.map(String)
+          : [],
         assignedId: row.assigned_job_post_id ? String(row.assigned_job_post_id) : null,
       }
     }),
@@ -497,7 +501,10 @@ function useSetReadAll(toast) {
  */
 function useRowSelection(rows) {
   const [selectedIds, setSelectedIds] = useState(() => new Set())
-  const visibleIds = useMemo(() => rows.map((r) => r.id), [rows])
+  const visibleIds = useMemo(
+    () => (Array.isArray(rows) ? rows.map((r) => r.id) : []),
+    [rows],
+  )
 
   useEffect(() => {
     setSelectedIds((prev) => {
@@ -783,17 +790,20 @@ export default function Inbox() {
   }, [isForms, formSheetsQuery.data, formSheet])
 
   const activeQuery = isForms ? formQuery : applicationsQuery
-  const inbox = activeQuery.data?.rows ?? []
+  const inbox = Array.isArray(activeQuery.data?.rows) ? activeQuery.data.rows : []
   const serverCounts = isForms ? (formCountsQuery.data ?? {}) : (countsQuery.data ?? {})
 
   const counts = useMemo(
-    () => ({
-      'All Applications': serverCounts.all ?? 0,
-      Unread: serverCounts.unread ?? 0,
-      Processed: serverCounts.processed ?? 0,
-      Rejected: serverCounts.rejected ?? 0,
-      Duplicates: serverCounts.duplicates ?? 0,
-    }),
+    () => {
+      const n = (v) => (typeof v === 'number' && Number.isFinite(v) ? v : 0)
+      return {
+        'All Applications': n(serverCounts.all),
+        Unread: n(serverCounts.unread),
+        Processed: n(serverCounts.processed),
+        Rejected: n(serverCounts.rejected),
+        Duplicates: n(serverCounts.duplicates),
+      }
+    },
     [serverCounts],
   )
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/screens/Matching.jsx b/frontend/src/screens/Matching.jsx
index a5d37b6..54a877d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/screens/Matching.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/screens/Matching.jsx
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ function parseDate(value) {
 }
 
 function sourceFrom(messageTo) {
-  const raw = (messageTo || '').trim()
-  if (!raw) return { source: 'Unknown', sourceMeta: null }
+  const raw = typeof messageTo === 'string' ? messageTo.trim() : String(messageTo ?? '').trim()
+  if (!raw || raw === '[object Object]') return { source: 'Unknown', sourceMeta: null }
   const flat = raw.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z]/g, '')
   const hit = inboxSources.find((s) => flat.includes(s.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z]/g, '')))
   if (hit) return { source: hit, sourceMeta: sourceMeta[hit] }
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ function htmlToText(value) {
 
 function mapApplication(row) {
   const name = row.name || row.email || 'Unknown'
-  const suggested = Array.isArray(row.suggested_job_post_ids) ? row.suggested_job_post_ids : []
   return {
     id: String(row.id),
     name,
@@ -105,7 +104,9 @@ function mapApplication(row) {
     resumeStatus: row.resume_status || RESUME_STATUS[row.match_status] || 'Pending',
     resumeText: row.resume_text || '',
     filePath: row.file_path || '',
-    suggestedIds: suggested.map(String),
+    suggestedIds: Array.isArray(row.suggested_job_post_ids)
+      ? row.suggested_job_post_ids.map(String)
+      : [],
     assignedId: row.assigned_job_post_id ? String(row.assigned_job_post_id) : null,
     matchStatus: row.match_status || null,
     matchSummary: row.match_summary || '',
@@ -203,19 +204,19 @@ export default function Matching() {
   })
 
   const needsCount = useQuery({
-    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({ assigned: false }),
+    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({ assigned: false, count: true }),
     queryFn: async () => (await inboxApi.listApplications({ assigned: false, top: 1 }))?.total ?? 0,
   })
   const assignedCount = useQuery({
-    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({ assigned: true }),
+    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({ assigned: true, count: true }),
     queryFn: async () => (await inboxApi.listApplications({ assigned: true, top: 1 }))?.total ?? 0,
   })
   const allCount = useQuery({
-    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({}),
+    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({ count: true }),
     queryFn: async () => (await inboxApi.listApplications({ top: 1 }))?.total ?? 0,
   })
   const noneCountQuery = useQuery({
-    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({ kind: 'none' }),
+    queryKey: qk.mailbox.assignments({ kind: 'none', count: true }),
     queryFn: async () => (await inboxApi.listApplications({ assigned: false, noSuggestions: true, top: 1 }))?.total ?? 0,
   })
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/screens/TalentPool.jsx b/frontend/src/screens/TalentPool.jsx
index dad8657..0e6520f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/screens/TalentPool.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/screens/TalentPool.jsx
@@ -44,8 +44,9 @@ import { seedQuery, useSeedMutation } from '../data/seedQueries'
 import { qk } from '../lib/queryKeys'
 import { friendlyAuthError } from '../lib/errors'
 import * as candidatesApi from '../api/candidates'
+import * as jobPostsApi from '../api/jobPosts'
 import * as pipelineApi from '../api/pipeline'
-import { avatarColor, departments, initials as initialsOf } from '../data/seed'
+import { avatarColor, initials as initialsOf } from '../data/seed'
 
 /** Backend GET /candidate/fetch caps `limit` at 100. */
 const PAGE_SIZE_MAX = 100
@@ -145,6 +146,14 @@ export default function TalentPool() {
     queryKey: qk.candidates.list({ limit: pageSize }),
     queryFn: () => candidatesApi.list({ limit: pageSize }),
   })
+  const deptsQuery = useQuery({
+    queryKey: qk.jobPosts.departments(),
+    queryFn: async () => {
+      const res = await jobPostsApi.listDepartments()
+      return Array.isArray(res?.data) ? res.data : []
+    },
+  })
+  const departments = deptsQuery.data ?? []
 
   const pool = useMemo(
     () => buildPool(candidatesApi.toRows(query.data), templates),
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/DataTable.jsx b/frontend/src/ui/DataTable.jsx
index d29d8b7..750bdbc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/DataTable.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/DataTable.jsx
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ export function Pagination({
             <Icon name="chevron-left" />
           </button>
           <div className="page-nums">
-            {pageButtons.map((p, i) =>
+            {(pageButtons ?? []).map((p, i) =>
               p === '…' ? (
                 <span key={`gap-${i}`} className="page-btn" style={{ cursor: 'default' }}>…</span>
               ) : (
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/SuggestedRoles.jsx b/frontend/src/ui/SuggestedRoles.jsx
index 4285bea..567c267 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/SuggestedRoles.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/SuggestedRoles.jsx
@@ -18,11 +18,18 @@ import * as jobPostsApi from '../api/jobPosts'
 /** Requirement chip lights green when the resume text contains it (client-side). */
 export function reqInResume(req, resumeText) {
   if (!req || !resumeText) return false
-  const needle = String(req).trim().toLowerCase()
+  const needle = (typeof req === 'string' ? req : (req?.name || req?.label || '')).trim().toLowerCase()
   if (!needle) return false
   return resumeText.toLowerCase().includes(needle)
 }
 
+function reqLabel(req) {
+  if (req == null) return ''
+  if (typeof req === 'string' || typeof req === 'number') return String(req)
+  if (typeof req === 'object') return String(req.name || req.label || req.skill || '')
+  return String(req)
+}
+
 export function JobCard({ post, rank, selected, onSelect, resumeText, manual, badge }) {
   const unavailable = Boolean(post?.unavailable) || !post?.title
   const title = post?.title || 'Unavailable'
@@ -70,20 +77,22 @@ export function JobCard({ post, rank, selected, onSelect, resumeText, manual, ba
           {selected && <Icon name="check-circle" />}
         </div>
         {meta && <div className="cell-sub">{meta}</div>}
-        {!unavailable && (post.requirements || []).length > 0 && (
+        {!unavailable && Array.isArray(post.requirements) && post.requirements.length > 0 && (
           <div className="k-tags" style={{ marginTop: 8 }}>
-            {(post.requirements || []).slice(0, 8).map((req) => {
+            {post.requirements.slice(0, 8).map((req, i) => {
+              const label = reqLabel(req)
+              if (!label) return null
               const hit = reqInResume(req, resumeText)
               return (
                 <span
-                  key={req}
+                  key={`${label}-${i}`}
                   className="tag"
                   style={hit ? {
                     background: 'var(--success-soft)',
                     color: 'var(--success-fg)',
                   } : undefined}
                 >
-                  {req}
+                  {label}
                 </span>
               )
             })}
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/Tabs.jsx b/frontend/src/ui/Tabs.jsx
index 2eb0764..cadaad2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/Tabs.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/Tabs.jsx
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ export function Tabs({ tabs, value, onChange, className = 'tabs', idBase }) {
             className={`tab${active ? ' active' : ''}`}
             onClick={() => onChange(key)}
           >
-            {label}{t.count != null && <span className="tab-count">{t.count}</span>}
+            {label}{t.count != null && typeof t.count !== 'object' && (
+              <span className="tab-count">{t.count}</span>
+            )}
           </button>
         )
       })}