"Under consideration" means your application is still active and being evaluated — but it doesn't guarantee you're a top candidate or that a human has personally reviewed your resume. It's a step beyond "received" on some platforms, and identical to "under review" on others. Treat it as a positive-neutral signal and keep your pipeline moving.
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Quick Answers
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" sounds promising — like someone is actively thinking about you. Maybe they are. Or maybe the system moved you there automatically after you passed a couple of knock-out questions. The gap between what the label implies and what it actually means is where most of the anxiety lives.
- 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
The honest truth: the differences between these three labels are mostly cosmetic. At most companies, all three mean "your application is still open." The specific label depends on the employer's ATS configuration, not on where you actually stand.
For a comprehensive breakdown: Application Under Review Meaning.
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.
It's not a bad sign — you haven't been rejected, which puts you ahead of anyone who got screened out. But calling it a "good sign" overstates what the label can tell you.
Reasons it might be genuinely positive:
- 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
Reasons it might not mean much:
- 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
If your status changed from "received" or "in progress" to "under consideration," that's a more meaningful signal than if it said "under consideration" from the moment you applied. A status change means something happened in the system — even if it was just a batch update.
On Workday, "under consideration" is one of several possible labels for open applications. How it's used depends entirely on the employer's configuration:
- 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.
- Verify submission (confirmation email + correct resume/attachments).
- Check spam for assessments or screening emails in the first 72 hours.
- Research the company and prepare talking points for a recruiter screen.
- Set a follow-up date (7-10 business days) if you have a recruiter contact.
- Keep applying elsewhere — don't let one status control your week.
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]
'Under consideration': the practical interpretation
- 1'Under consideration' means your application is active — not that you're a top candidate.
- 2The label is often interchangeable with 'under review' and 'in progress.'
- 3A status change from 'received' to 'under consideration' is a slightly more positive signal than the label appearing from day one.
- 4The real signals: direct emails, assessment invitations, and recruiter communication.
- 5Follow up after 7-10 business days if you have a contact; otherwise, keep your pipeline active.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Researching Job Market & Building AI Tools for careerists since December 2020