Sometimes the best-laid plans go awry.

We had a search a couple of years ago, where we really did our best to keep
the applicants fully informed at every step.  Each application or subsequent
letter from a candidate had been acknowedged with a letter, the candidates
had received at least one letter updating them on the course of the search
(some two, depending on whether they had submitted their materials early or
late in the application window), every letter of reference had been
acknowledged with a letter, and candidates were advised when their set of
reference letters and other materials had been received (each time updating
them on our planned schedule in making a decision).  We really tried.  We
wanted to be sure that the unsuccessful applicants (the largest group in any
search) came away impressed with the organization and reporting good things
the way we operated.

To no avail.  The successful candidate announced their selection to friends
and colleagues (as most of would), and as a result another, unsuccessful
candidate learned of our selection through *their* friends and colleagues.
That resulted in a royally peeved letter to me, asking why we hadn't
informed the candidate pool of our decision, which arrived before I'd even
received the official letter of acceptance from the successful candidate
(and there wasn't a period of negotiation involved).

All you can do is try.

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