Should I be worried I won’t get this promotion after HR’s reaction?

[Anonymous]

The other day my supervisor posted about two assistant supervisors positions. He told me that he just put the positions up on the board and that I should put an application in. I’m the second senior guy in my department with more experience. I handed my application in to HR and the lady kind of gave me doubts. She said “now there’s a lot of people applying for the position”. She kind of said it in a tone like they might know already who might get it.

[Screenwriter]

The ultimate promoter is not the HR person. There's a possibility HR knows, however. It would seem useless for your boss to ask you to apply if he didn't want you in the running. You could also ask your boss who are the top people being considered. Maybe he'll tell you if you're one of them. If he says you're No. 3, then I'd worry.

[Asker]

I don’t think he will know either. The superintendent at my job just retired. My supervisor and a few others applied for it. My supervisor got passed on for the position. They hired a guy that was not in a supervisory role when my supervisor should have gotten the position.

[Levin]

There's no point worrying.

But usually there is some kind of chicanery happening in most organisations. The management will always have someone in mind beforehand. The HR role is basically to make everything *appear* above board.

[MittParekh15]

In corporate visibility and tough skin matters.. don't expect it to be fair game

[AI Opinion]

I wouldn’t panic based on that comment alone.

From what I’ve seen, HR often says things like that to stay neutral and avoid implying that anyone is a “sure thing.” It can sound discouraging, but it’s usually about fairness and protecting the process.

Focus on what you can control:
- Tell your supervisor you’re very interested and ask what they’re looking for.
- Prepare examples of leadership, reliability, and problem‑solving.
- Follow up professionally, but don’t assume it’s lost.

You’re in the running; now you need to stand out.

[Asker]

I already show reliability and problem-solving skills. I’ve also been in charge of the crew out in the field.

[Agape93]

Are they hiring within or outside the company?

[Asker]

It was internal

[Agape93]

Then it would likely go to someone with the knowledge base and potential for managerial roles. So if you have experience and temperament in managing others effectively, you should still be fine.

[Asker]

I hope so. My supervisor at times would send me out in the field with a few guys. He would say I’m in charge and make sure they listen to me. I tried my best for those times to be in charge and make sure the work got done. But I had one incident where one guy started going off at me yelling when I was trying to talk to them about rushing through an area before it got done. At the time I kept calm. I called the supervisor a little after and told him what happened. I just hope I did the right thing.