Would you see this the same way as me?

[MatchsticksForMyEyes]

Applied for HoD in my school. Deadline was a month ago. All 3 of us in the department applied and received letters a fortnight ago saying interviews would be the week after half term.
I emailed the principal today to ask if she had more details and was told the details would be out tomorrow after the deadline had passed.
So, it looks like they re-opened it for another month after our deadline and now my colleague and I think it suggests they aren't considering us at all and would prefer to hire someone external.
I wish they would just be upfront. I have already been told I will be going back to 0.6 if it isn't me who gets HoD. But the way this is being handled, especially if an external candidate is appointed makes me feel that I should really be looking for a HoD post elsewhere.

Yes. This seems rather an opaque approach. Usually , the person favoured for the position would be a foregone conclusion and the process would be ended sooner rather than later. Is there a particular reason why they'd seek someone externally?

We've now been told they are re-advertising nationally to attract a wider field. So clearly none of the 3 internal candidates are suitable.
I am checking the TES every week now as I obviously can't progress here. Although there won't be much advertised before the end of Jan/Feb.

I have been too vocal when annoyed in the past. I think I've ruined my own chances to be honest.

Don't take it personally. Often, a new face/ideas is what is needed - it doesn't mean they don't think you couldn't do a perfectly adequate job, just that they have something in mind for the role already.

Regarding being vocal when annoyed, the best thing to try and do is to be part of the solution, rather than just stating what the problem is. Make suggestions as to how you think the problem could be managed. People who endlessly complain and stick spanners in wheels (not necessarily saying that you have) can become known as difficult and that can impact on your chances. Having said that there is nothing wrong with speaking up if there is a genuine issue or problem.

That sounds really frustrating. It might still be worth applying when it is advertised nationally. If nothing else, it will show that you are keen to progress your career and give you valuable application/interview practice. If there have been issues in the past, use this opportunity to offer solutions to them (subtly, cleverly).

I'd be bloody pissed off about how it was handled though.

I feel like I'd just be humiliating myself further. If they wanted me, I'd be interviewed next week as the letter we each received stated.