Nervous facing staff

[flixybelle]

I finished uni in May and took a pt role in admin for a large charity. After I had been there a month, the senior manager left to work elsewhere the post was advertised but they had few applications. In the mean time I took the opportunity to get more experience and took on much more responsibility despite being the newest and most junior member of staff. The position was re advertised (wider) 4 mths after I had joined and I decided very last minute to apply, I got an interview as did 2 more senior members of staff and 3 external candidates. I was offered the position!

Now the dilemma no one in the company except the person who interviewed knew I had even applied, yet the others were quite vocal about their interviews and discussed their presentations, I never said anything. (I had a totally different strategy so their info was of no use to me)

I am due back at work tomorrow but the offer is confidential until all the I's are dotted. The 2 internal candidates obviously will know that they haven't got the job and will tell me so. How do I react? I really don't want to lie I work very closely with them and currently report to one of them. I have to manage these people as of next month and we have had until now a good working relationship (though we are not friends)
Am I over thinking this??

I'd lie and say they haven't told me anything yet. It's kind of true, they haven't firmed the offer anyway.

Congrats flixy!

I would not be drawn on any details about the interview, even if they ask you. I'd say I'm not in a position to comment... now an one for a cuppa?. Ie change the subject! You have as much right as anyone else to apply for the role and you don't need to justify yourself to anyone. Remain professional, don't get into a discussion and dont let anyone make you feel bad.

for the people who will report to you directly. Just play a waiting game. Wait to see how they respond to you as a manager and don't jump to any conclusions about how they will behave. Just let things settle down. they may well become good contributing members of your team, if so great. If they get difficult, review it on a case by case situation at that future time. It may never happen so try to focus on the day to day of getting into your new role.

Thank you for the replies and sorry for the very late response.

It was awful I did my best to avoid questions but they just kept going on. They didn't know they hadn't got the job, hideous day. Since then one has been perfectly fine as far as I know and seems ok. The second one however went home early the day he found out (which I was fine about its crap not getting a job) returned to work the next day then left at lunchtime as his ds was ill then called in sick the next day. I have since found out he has cancelled all his appointments and meetings as he had assumed he would get the job and had a different strategy in mind! aaaah think this going to be tough.