Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you are asking if you decide NOT to hire a specialist if you can hire a specialist from the "next hire" option? You can't do what I just described. You have to use either hire from your current set of three options, or promote to get a new set of three.
What you CAN do is wait until you have the ability to hire two specialists and hire one and instantly promote it if it's from "current hires" section.
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