Greenhouse statuses like "Active" or "In Review" mean your application is still being considered—but they rarely reveal the exact stage. Treat these labels as "not rejected yet", verify your submission, watch for emails or assessments, and follow up after 7–10 business days if you have a recruiter contact.
- Why Greenhouse statuses are vague by design (and what they can't tell you)
- What common Greenhouse labels typically signal
- A practical timeline for when and how to follow up
- What to do while waiting (without refreshing the portal obsessively)
- Copy/paste follow-up email templates for recruiters and hiring managers
Quick Answers
What does 'Active' mean in Greenhouse?
In Greenhouse, 'Active' typically means your application is still being considered and hasn't been rejected or closed out. It doesn't confirm that a recruiter has reviewed your resume—just that you're still in the pipeline.
Can candidates check their Greenhouse application status?
Only if the employer has enabled the MyGreenhouse candidate portal. Many companies don't share detailed status updates, so the most reliable signals are direct emails (assessment links, interview scheduling) from the recruiting team.
How long does it take to hear back after applying through Greenhouse?
Response times vary widely—from a few days to several weeks—depending on the role, hiring volume, and internal approvals. If no timeline was given, following up after 7–10 business days is a reasonable default.
What does 'Rejected' mean in Greenhouse?
A 'Rejected' status means the hiring team has decided not to move forward with your application. In MyGreenhouse, applications are marked 'inactive' after a rejection email is sent (or 4 days after rejection if no email was sent).
Seeing "Active" or "In Review" in a candidate portal can feel like progress—until days pass with no update. The reality: Greenhouse status labels are designed for recruiters, not candidates. They track internal workflow stages, not candidate-facing progress updates.
Why ATS statuses are vague by design
Greenhouse is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)—software that helps employers manage job postings, collect applications, and move candidates through hiring stages.
An Applicant Tracking System is recruiting software that stores applications, routes candidates through a workflow (screening → interviews → offer), and lets recruiters search and filter applicants by criteria like skills, titles, location, and experience.
Greenhouse is a popular ATS used by thousands of employers (especially in tech and startups). Employers configure their own hiring stages and workflows, and candidates may access a MyGreenhouse portal to track application status—if the employer has enabled it.
Here's the key insight: Greenhouse doesn't standardize status labels across companies. Each employer configures their own pipeline—so "Application Review," "Phone Screen," and "Offer" might have different names (or not be visible to candidates at all).
What candidates see in MyGreenhouse is typically one of:
- Active — application is still in the pipeline
- Inactive — application was rejected or the role closed
That's it. The granular stages (recruiter screen, hiring manager review, onsite interview) happen internally, and employers decide how much to share. For a similar breakdown of another common ATS, see: Workday Application Status 'In Progress' Meaning.
Greenhouse acts as a data processor on behalf of employers. According to Greenhouse Support, candidates should contact the company directly for application status inquiries—not Greenhouse itself.
ATS status labels are internal workflow markers, not candidate communication tools. Treat them as rough signals, not promises.
Common Greenhouse statuses (what they typically signal)
Although labels vary by employer, here are the most common patterns and what they usually mean.
"Active" (or "In Progress")
What it usually means:
- Your application is still under consideration
- You haven't been formally rejected
- The role is still open (or at least not closed in the system)
What it doesn't mean:
- That a recruiter has reviewed your resume
- That you're a "strong" candidate
- That an interview is imminent
An application can stay "Active" for weeks while sitting in a queue. Status updates often lag behind real decisions—especially during high-volume hiring.
"Application Review" (or "In Review")
What it usually means:
- Your application is in the initial screening phase
- Recruiters may be filtering for minimum requirements (location, work authorization, skills)
This is typically the first stage in every Greenhouse job's interview plan. It doesn't guarantee a human has read your resume—automated filters or batch reviews may be in play.
"Interviewing" (or a specific stage name)
What it usually means:
- You've been selected for an interview stage
- The status may update after scheduling, not before
Some employers only update this status after an interview is scheduled (not when the decision to interview is made), so there may be a lag.
"Offer" (or "Offer Extended")
What it usually means:
- The company has decided to extend a job offer
- Depending on the employer, this may appear before or after you've received the offer letter
"Rejected" (or "Inactive")
What it usually means:
- The hiring team has decided not to proceed
- In MyGreenhouse, applications become "inactive" after a rejection email is sent—or 4 days after rejection if no email was sent
Some companies reject candidates internally without sending an email. If your status changes to "inactive" without explanation, it likely means a decision was made.
"Position Canceled" or "Closed"
What it usually means:
- The job requisition was closed (filled, put on hold, or canceled)
- All applicants for this role are typically moved to inactive status
Status labels are rough buckets. The most reliable signals are direct emails and recruiter communication—not portal updates.
Follow-up timing (day-by-day guidelines)
The goal is to (1) avoid missing a real next step and (2) stay visible without being annoying.
Confirm submission (same day)
Check for a confirmation email. If you applied through MyGreenhouse, verify your profile shows the correct resume and attachments. Some upload failures look "submitted" but are missing files.
Watch for assessments or screening emails (24–72 hours)
Many employers send assessments or questionnaires shortly after applying. Check inbox and spam for emails from the company, "Greenhouse," or "assessment."
Strengthen your application while waiting (this week)
Treat the waiting period as prep time: refine your pitch, research the company, and prepare examples for a potential recruiter screen.
Juggling Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, and company portals is exhausting. Tools like Careery can auto-apply across these platforms—handling the repetitive form-filling so you can focus on follow-ups and interview prep.
Set a follow-up date (7–10 business days)
If you have a recruiter email or referral, follow up after 7–10 business days unless a faster timeline was stated. If you don't have a contact, focus on your pipeline rather than refreshing the portal.
- Confirm submission (check for confirmation email + correct resume upload).
- Check spam for assessments or scheduling emails (especially first 72 hours).
- Research the company and prepare for a potential recruiter screen.
- Set a follow-up date (often 7–10 business days) instead of checking daily.
- If you have a referral, mention them in your follow-up for faster routing.
- Keep applying elsewhere—one 'Active' status shouldn't be your entire plan.
Structured patience beats portal refreshing. Verify submission, watch for emails, set a follow-up date, and keep the rest of your pipeline active.
What to do while waiting (pipeline activities)
Waiting on one application is a losing game. Here's how to use the time productively:
Keep applying at a steady cadence
A few well-targeted applications per day maintains momentum. If the manual work feels draining, consider automating part of your pipeline.
Research the company for talking points
Review recent press releases, product launches, or company blog posts. This gives material for a recruiter screen and shows genuine interest beyond the job description.
Strengthen your positioning for this role
- Review the job description and prepare 2–3 relevant stories (STAR format)
- Research the hiring manager and team on LinkedIn
- Prepare a short "why this company" pitch in case of a recruiter screen
Build a referral path
If you know someone at the company (or can find a mutual connection), a referral can accelerate review. For practical steps, see: How to Get Referred for a Job.
Don't let one company control your week
Emotional investment in a single application is a recipe for burnout. Treat every opportunity as uncertain until you have a written offer.
Obsessing over a single status is a sign your pipeline is too thin. The cure is volume: more applications, more networking, more irons in the fire.
Templates: recruiter follow-up email + hiring manager nudge
These are copy/paste friendly. Replace the placeholders with your details.
Subject: Application for [ROLE] — quick follow-up Hi [NAME], I applied for the [ROLE] position on [DATE] and wanted to follow up to confirm my application is in the right place. I'm still very interested—especially in [SPECIFIC DETAIL: team / product / responsibility]. If helpful, here's a quick summary of relevant experience: - [Proof point 1 with metric if possible] - [Proof point 2] Is there a timeline for next steps, or anything else I can provide? Thanks, [YOUR NAME] [LINKEDIN URL]
Subject: [REFERRER NAME] referral — [ROLE] application Hi [NAME], [REFERRER NAME] suggested I reach out regarding the [ROLE] position. I applied on [DATE] and wanted to share a quick note in case it's helpful during screening. Relevant fit: - [Proof point 1] - [Proof point 2] - [Proof point 3] If the team is still hiring, I'd appreciate any guidance on next steps or whether a short screen call would be useful. Thanks, [YOUR NAME] [LINKEDIN URL]
Hi [NAME] — I applied for the [ROLE] at [COMPANY] on [DATE]. Quick question: is there a preferred contact or timeline for next steps on this position? Happy to share a 2–3 sentence summary of fit if helpful. Thanks!
Hi [NAME] — I applied for the [ROLE] on your team and wanted to briefly introduce myself. [ONE SENTENCE: why you're interested in this team specifically]. If it's helpful, I'm happy to share a relevant work sample or clarify anything about my background. Is there a timeline for next steps? Thanks, [YOUR NAME]
Avoid following up if: (1) it's been fewer than 5 business days, (2) you don't have a real contact, or (3) the posting is still actively collecting applications. Repeated "checking in" messages rarely help and can signal poor judgment.
Greenhouse application status: the practical playbook
- 1'Active' means you haven't been rejected—not that you're being actively reviewed.
- 2Greenhouse statuses are internal workflow labels, not candidate communication tools.
- 3The most reliable signals are direct emails (assessments, scheduling)—not portal updates.
- 4Follow up after 7–10 business days if you have a recruiter contact; otherwise, focus on pipeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Active' mean in Greenhouse?
It typically means your application is still under consideration and hasn't been rejected. It doesn't confirm that anyone has reviewed your resume yet.
How do I check my Greenhouse application status?
If the employer has enabled MyGreenhouse, you may be able to log in to view your status. Otherwise, you'll need to contact the company directly—Greenhouse doesn't share individual application statuses.
Why hasn't my Greenhouse status changed in weeks?
Status updates often lag behind real decisions. The role may be paused, the team may be in batch review, or updates may only happen after formal stage transitions. If it's been more than 2 weeks with no email, a polite follow-up is reasonable.
Does 'Inactive' always mean rejected?
Usually, yes. In MyGreenhouse, applications become 'inactive' after rejection or when the role is closed. Some companies don't send rejection emails, so the status change may be your only signal.
Should I reapply if my status has been 'Active' for a long time?
Reapplying to the same requisition usually doesn't help and can create duplicate records. A better move is targeted outreach (referral or recruiter LinkedIn message) while continuing to apply to other roles.
Researching Job Market & Building AI Tools for Job Seekers since December 2020