Curious if management's friends, interns, etc are next in February? Not saying this is a bad thing, because it 100% is not a bad thing. It's just the way it goes.

Most likely they have a list of preferences; management family members, then management preferred hires and interns, then employee recs, then everyone else. Just an example of course, but they undoubtably have a ranking order decided of people to interview.

Good to see things moving!