Does the person 'acting' usually get the job?

Maybe people who work in HR could answer this question for me. If a job is advertised and someone is already acting in that role, how likely would it be that they get the job? I went for an interview today and realised that the next person in line had been acting in that role for around 9 months. I probably wouldn't have gone for the job if I had know as it took quite a large chunk of time in applying and preparing. Nothing I can do about that now but I was wondering what the chances are of someone who is acting getting the role (or not getting the role). Thoughts?

It really depends on how well that person has done in the role over the last 9 months. You have 2 scenarios here really

1) The person has been great and they want to appoint them but have to go through the process so that they can say they were fair and that the person was the best applicant

2) The person hasn't done a good job and they don't want them in the role any more so they advertise for a permanent person in the hope that they will get a better applicant so that they can move the acting person back into their original role.

So unless you know how the person has performed it is hard to say - I hope for you it is scenario #2

No, My DH was in an acting role for 3.5 months and when the time came they said he was pretty much right but they still had to advertise. Turns out someone better must have applied because he did not get the job afterall. Lucky though because so much drama in that department I think he was better off:)

Goodluck, Hopefully if they see you as a better candidate then they will go with you too.

I was in a casual role for a couple of months and interviewed for the permanent position but didn't get it.

Hmmmm interesting. Thanks guys! I did also feel a bit of negativity from one of the panel as my past experience was very applicable but perhaps not gained in the most traditional roles. Oh well, what will be, will be I guess :) Thanks again!

Good luck :)

No.

I've been in a job acting for 12+ months and didn't get it; I've also hired people ahead of the person acting.

I agree with PPs and also wanted to add that it really depends how competitive the field is.

Good luck, hope you get some news soon!

There's always a lean towards in the incumbent simply because they SHOULD be able to tailor their examples to the position, but often many don't utilise this advantage. But when applying for jobs, don't hesitate to apply for something you want simply because someone has acted in it before. The number of people I've seen who get a job simply because no one else has bothered to apply would surprise you. AND just because you don't get a job doesn't mean the panel won't note your interest in the position or your skills should something else come up.

I tell my team all the time, apply if you want it. If you do nothing, you get nothing.

OK thanks everyone. They actually contacted one of my references today. Not sure how much that means. I stuffed that up a little though as I was so sure I didn't get it that I didn't bother to text her for a couple of hours and then only did it as a just in case. She had agreed to be a reference for jobs but I didn't yet tell her I had the interview for that particular job. So they had actually contacted her before I texted her. :wall:
But on another note I got an interesting email this morning. I don't post threads too often but will post another about this one. LOL

If it's a government job, and a good panel they will judge solely on the application and interview. It's not always the acting incumbent who gets the job if the fail to demonstrate in these two opportunities they have the skills to do the job.

Government jobs can also form an order of merit - a list of people who were also found suitable for the job and can be contacted within a set timeframe if the person who they select now moves leaves the job, gets promoted etc. That way they don't need to go through the whole exercise again, but they do not have to use the merit list either.

Just to update you all, I didn't get the job :( I think they thought it would be too hard as the other person would have to train me etc and she was suitable for it as well. They said that because of my experience they might be able to offer me a temp position so will wait and see. Had a different interview today for something closer to home so you never know. Thanks guys :)

Sorry to hear but at least is sounded like the were straight up with you. Goodluck with the other job:)

Bummer :(

Hope you get the other job, or something even better.