"Under consideration." Two words that feel like hope — and tell you almost nothing.
You've been refreshing the portal since Tuesday. The status hasn't changed. You've Googled "under consideration meaning job application" three times. Reddit says it's a good sign. Another thread says it's meaningless. A third says the role was filled two weeks ago and nobody updated the system.
What does 'under consideration' mean on a job application?
It means your application is still active and the employer hasn't rejected you. On some platforms, it suggests you've moved past initial receipt into an evaluation stage. On others, it's used interchangeably with 'under review' or 'in progress.'
Is 'under consideration' a good sign?
It's cautiously positive — you haven't been screened out. But it doesn't predict interview odds or confirm that someone is actively reading your resume right now. It's a holding status, not a ranking.
What's the difference between 'under consideration' and 'under review'?
In theory, 'under consideration' may imply a slightly more active evaluation than 'under review.' In practice, most companies use them interchangeably — the difference depends on the employer's ATS configuration, not your candidacy stage.
How long does 'under consideration' last?
From a few days to several weeks. Most active hiring processes move within 1-2 weeks. If the status hasn't changed after 3+ weeks with no email, the process may be stalled.
- Under Consideration (application status)
An ATS status indicating that a candidate's application has moved beyond initial receipt and is in an active or pending evaluation phase. The specific meaning varies by employer — it can indicate recruiter review, hiring manager evaluation, or simply that automated screening was passed.
On some platforms, "under consideration" represents a real step forward — you've been moved from the general applicant pool into a smaller group being evaluated. On others, it's just the default label for any open application.
What the status tells you:
- Your application is active and hasn't been closed
- You passed any initial automated filters (if applicable)
- There may be a next step coming — but timing is unknown
What it doesn't tell you:
- Whether a human has read your resume
- How many other candidates are also "under consideration"
- Whether the role is actively being filled or is on pause
| Under Consideration | Under Review | In Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Sometimes implies active evaluation or shortlisting | Usually implies a screening or review queue | Broadest label — any open application |
| May appear after passing initial screening | May appear at any point after submission | Default status on many Workday configurations |
| Slightly more positive signal on some platforms | Neutral signal — you're in the pipeline | Neutral signal — you're in the pipeline |
Don't compare "under consideration" to "under review" and try to decide which is better. They're functionally the same at most companies. The real signal is direct communication.
- The employer's portal uses "under consideration" specifically for candidates who passed initial screening
- You've been moved from "application received" to "under consideration" — an actual stage transition
- It appears after an assessment or questionnaire you completed
- The employer uses "under consideration" as the default for all open applications
- The status hasn't changed since you applied — it might just be the starting label
- You're one of hundreds of "under consideration" applicants
- Some companies use "under consideration" after initial screening is complete
- Others use it interchangeably with "in progress" or "under review"
- A transition from "in progress" to "under consideration" may indicate you've been shortlisted — or it may be an automatic batch update
The Workday portal rarely shows granular stage details to candidates. If you want to know where you actually stand, recruiter communication is more reliable than the portal label.
| Timeline | What's likely happening | Your move |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 days | Application received; automated screening may be running | Verify submission, check spam for assessments |
| 1-2 weeks | Normal review window for most roles | Prepare for a potential screen; set follow-up date |
| 2-4 weeks | High volume, internal approvals, or minor delays | One polite follow-up if you have a contact |
| 4+ weeks | Likely stalled — role frozen, filled, or process disorganized | Shift focus to other opportunities |
Subject: Application for [ROLE] — quick follow-up Hi [NAME], I applied for the [ROLE] on [DATE] and wanted to follow up. I'm still very interested — especially in [SPECIFIC DETAIL about the role or team]. Quick summary of relevant fit: - [Proof point 1] - [Proof point 2] Is there a timeline for next steps? Thanks, [YOUR NAME] [LINKEDIN URL]
- 01'Under consideration' means your application is active — not that you're a top candidate.
- 02The label is often interchangeable with 'under review' and 'in progress.'
- 03A status change from 'received' to 'under consideration' is a slightly more positive signal than the label appearing from day one.
- 04The real signals: direct emails, assessment invitations, and recruiter communication.
- 05Follow up after 7-10 business days if you have a contact; otherwise, keep your pipeline active.
What does 'under consideration' mean on a job application?
It means your application is still active in the employer's system. On some platforms, it suggests you've passed initial screening. On others, it's the default label for any open application.
Is 'under consideration' a good sign?
It's neutral-to-positive — you haven't been rejected. But it doesn't confirm active evaluation or predict interview likelihood. A status change to 'under consideration' is a slightly better signal than the label appearing from the start.
What's the difference between 'under consideration' and 'under review'?
In theory, 'under consideration' may suggest a more advanced evaluation stage. In practice, most companies use them interchangeably. The wording depends on ATS configuration, not your candidacy stage.
How long can an application stay 'under consideration'?
From a few days to several weeks. Most active processes move within 1-2 weeks. If it's been over 3 weeks with no email, the process may be stalled or the portal status may be stale.
What does 'under consideration' mean on Workday?
On Workday, it's one of several possible statuses for open applications. Some employers use it after initial screening; others use it as a catch-all. The meaning depends on the company's configuration.
Should I follow up if my status says 'under consideration'?
Yes, if you have a recruiter contact and it's been 7-10 business days. Send one specific, value-adding message — not a vague 'any updates?' ping.
Prepared by Careery Team
Researching Job Market & Building AI Tools for careerists · since December 2020