In other Jobs it's fairly standard practice to set the closing date then sift through the applicants to decide who will be the most suitable candidates taking into account qualifications, experience, and any pertinent information presented on a CV or application form (Thats why we have CV's or application forms!!!) This saves you interviewing every man and his dog it is more cost effective in terms of having an interview panel who only need to sit for what are on paper the best candidates!!
I didn't set the thread up to develop into the usual petty Pprune slanging match. Merely out of interest as an outsider (not an applicant) to see what sort of interest NATS generate when they publicly recruit experienced controllers. This will probably, depending on numbers have an effect on non state units (hopefully positive in terms of a closer parity of pay and conditions)
Don't go taking offence at a perfectly reasonable question many do on this site!!!
LOTZ