Job application status meanings in plain words: received means the form arrived, under review or in process means it is being screened, under consideration means you are still in the running, and not selected, not retained or position filled mean the employer has moved on.
Every portal uses its own wording, and many are updated by hand or in batches, so a label can lag behind what is really happening. Read the label as a rough stage, not a verdict, and use the table below to decide what to do next.
Quick answers
Under review
Someone or the system is screening the application. Not yet a yes or no.Under consideration
You passed a first screen and are still in the pool for that opening.In progress or in process
The hiring process for that opening is still open, often after an interview.Closed labels
Not selected, not retained, position filled and requisition closed all mean no for this opening.When to ask
About a week after applying, or a week past any date you were given.
Job application status meanings at a glance
| Status | What it usually means | Your move |
|---|---|---|
| Received, Submitted | The form reached the employer | Log the date and wait |
| Under review | Screening has started or is queued | Wait about a week |
| In process, In progress | The opening is active and your file is part of it | Prepare for a call |
| Under consideration, In consideration | You passed a first screen | Keep your phone on |
| Interview, Interview scheduled | A recruiter wants to talk | Confirm the time |
| Offer, Offer extended | An offer is ready or sent | Read it closely |
| Hired | You accepted and onboarding begins | Watch for paperwork |
| Not selected, Not retained, No longer under consideration | The employer is not moving you forward for this opening | Apply elsewhere |
| Position filled, Requisition closed | The opening is gone or cancelled | Watch for new posts |
| Withdrawn | You or the employer removed the application | Update your records |
What does under review mean on a job application
Under review is the most common early status. It means your application has left the plain received pile and is waiting for, or getting, a look from a recruiter or the portal's filters. In big companies it can sit there for weeks, because some portals switch every new application to under review the moment it arrives.
Is it a good sign? A neutral one. It means you were not knocked out by a screening question, which is worth something, but it does not mean a person has read your answers yet.
Under consideration meaning in a job application
Under consideration, or in consideration, usually signals that you passed an initial screen and are on a shorter list for that role. Recruiters often use it while they compare candidates or wait for a hiring manager to choose who to interview. It is a better sign than under review, but it can still end in a no, because several people share the same label.
A status of under consideration is a good moment to make sure your voicemail is set up and your references know a call may come.
In progress and in process: what they mean
In progress and in process mean the hiring process for that opening is still running and your application is part of it. Before an interview, it is close to under review. After an interview, in progress usually means the team has not decided yet: they may be interviewing others, checking references or waiting for budget sign off.
If you see in progress after an interview, wait for the date the interviewer gave you. If none was given, a polite check in about a week later is normal.
How to check job application status
- Sign in to the employer's careers site and open My applications or Candidate home, Job submissions.
- Search your email, including spam, for the employer's name and the job ID.
- Compare the dates in your application tracker with the reply times in our guide to hearing back.
- If a fair time has passed, email the recruiter or the contact in the posting.
Small employers without a portal will not show a status at all. A short phone call or email is the only way to check.
How to ask about job application status
Subject: Status check on [Job title], reference [Number]
Dear [Name],
On [Date] I submitted an application for your [Job title] opening. Could you tell me roughly where it stands and when decisions are expected? The role still appeals to me a great deal, and I can send references or work samples if useful.
With thanks,
[Your name]
[Phone]
Do: wait at least a week and keep the note to four or five lines.
Do: include the job ID so the recruiter can find you fast.
Don't: email every few days asking why the label has not changed.
Don't: message the hiring manager's personal social accounts.
More templates live on our page about checking in on an application.
Why a status sits unchanged for weeks
- The opening is on hold while budget or headcount is approved.
- The recruiter is filling many roles and updates portals in batches.
- Interviews are spread over several weeks.
- The employer closes the requisition months later and only then sends mass updates.
A status that has not moved in a month, with no reply to a polite email, usually means you should put your energy into other applications.
Labels that mean the door has closed
Not selected, no longer under consideration, not retained, position filled and requisition closed all point to the same result for that opening. None of them means you are barred from the employer. If you pulled out yourself, the label reads withdrawn; see withdrawing an application.
Questions people ask
Is application under review a good sign for a job?
It is neutral to mildly good. You passed any automatic screen, but a person may not have read your application yet.
What does under consideration mean on a job application?
Most often this label signals that you remain in the pool for that opening, often after an initial screen. Several candidates may share the same label.
What does in progress mean after an interview?
The team has not made a decision yet. They may be interviewing others or checking references.
How do I check my job application status?
Sign in to the employer's portal and open your applications list, check your email, and if enough time has passed, ask the recruiter.
How long can a job application stay under review?
Anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and longer at large employers and government agencies. Some portals never update until the job closes.
Why did my status go back from under consideration to under review?
Usually a portal or workflow change, such as a new recruiter taking over or the role being reposted. It rarely says anything about you.