Not Retained on a Job Application: What It Means + What to Do

⚡TL;DR

"Not retained" means the employer decided not to advance your application — it's a rejection, just phrased more gently. The label is most common on government and public sector portals. The practical response: don't overanalyze the wording, request feedback if you interviewed, and put your energy into applications that are still alive.

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Quick Answers

What does 'not retained' mean on a job application?

It means the employer has decided not to move your application forward. You weren't selected for the next stage — whether that's an interview, a second round, or an offer. It's a rejection, phrased in softer language.

Is 'not retained' the same as 'rejected'?

Yes, functionally. 'Not retained' is a gentler label that some ATS platforms (especially in government hiring) use instead of 'rejected.' The outcome is the same: your application is closed.

What's the difference between 'not retained' and 'no longer under consideration'?

Both mean rejection. 'Not retained' is more common on government and public sector portals; 'no longer under consideration' is more common on corporate ATS platforms like Workday and iCIMS. The distinction is cosmetic.

Can you reapply after 'not retained'?

To the same requisition, usually no. To a different role at the same employer, yes. If the same role reopens, you can apply fresh — ideally with a stronger application than before.

Nobody likes seeing "not retained" on their application. It sounds bureaucratic and final — because it is. But understanding the label (and not overanalyzing it) is the fastest way to move past it and toward your next opportunity.

What "not retained" means

Not Retained (application status): "Not retained" is an ATS status indicating that a candidate's application was reviewed and the employer decided not to advance it to the next stage. The term is most commonly used in government, public sector, and large institutional hiring systems.

The label typically appears after one of these stages:

Initial screening — your resume didn't match the minimum qualifications or preferred criteria
Assessment or test — you completed an assessment but didn't score above the threshold
Interview round — you interviewed but weren't selected to move forward
Final selection — another candidate was chosen for the offer

In all cases, it means the same thing: your application has been removed from the active pipeline for this role.

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"Not retained" = not selected to continue. The stage at which it happens matters for your learning, but the outcome is the same.

"Not retained" vs "no longer under consideration" vs "rejected"

Not Retained	No Longer Under Consideration	Rejected
Softer phrasing, common in government hiring	Softer phrasing, common in corporate ATS (Workday, iCIMS)	Most direct term, used across all platforms
Often appears after screening or assessment	Can appear at any stage — from resume review to post-interview	Can appear at any stage
May or may not include an email notification	May or may not include an email notification	Usually includes a rejection email
Same outcome: application is closed	Same outcome: application is closed	Same outcome: application is closed

All three labels lead to the same place. The only thing that varies is the tone and the ATS platform. If you're trying to understand the differences in nuance, there isn't much — HR departments just pick different words to deliver the same news.

For more on "no longer under consideration" specifically: No Longer Under Consideration: What It Means.

Common reasons for "not retained"

Understanding why helps you adjust — even if the company doesn't tell you the specific reason.

At the screening stage:

Resume didn't match key requirements (skills, certifications, experience level)
Automated filters flagged a mismatch (location, work authorization, salary expectations)
High application volume — recruiters shortlisted a small number from hundreds of applicants

At the assessment stage:

Test scores below the employer's threshold
Assessment completed late or incomplete
Behavioral or skills assessment didn't align with role requirements

At the interview stage:

Another candidate was a stronger match for the team
Interview performance didn't meet expectations on key competencies
Cultural or communication fit concerns

It's not always about you

Sometimes "not retained" has nothing to do with your qualifications. The role might have been filled internally, the hiring manager might have changed requirements mid-process, or budget constraints might have reduced the number of positions. You'll rarely know which scenario applies — and that's okay.

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Most rejections happen at the screening stage due to volume and automated filtering. If you made it to interviews, the competition was likely very tight.

Can you reapply after "not retained"?

Same requisition: Usually no. The application is closed and most ATS platforms don't allow reopening it.

Same role, reposted: Yes. If the role reappears under a new requisition number, treat it as a new opportunity. Apply fresh.

Different role, same employer: Almost always yes. Applications are tracked per requisition, so applying to another position creates a clean record.

Best practices for reapplying:

Wait for a new posting — don't email asking to be reconsidered for the closed req
Improve something — add a new skill, certification, or project since last time
Tailor specifically — don't submit the exact same resume that didn't work before
Mention it strategically — if you have a recruiter relationship, it's fine to reference your previous application briefly

What to do next

Accept the result (today)

The decision is made. Spending energy analyzing the label or checking whether the portal status changes again won't help. Redirect that attention to live opportunities.

Request feedback if you interviewed (within a few days)

If you made it past the screening stage, a feedback request is worth sending. Keep it short and professional — most recruiters appreciate candidates who ask for growth input.

Set a job alert for the company (this week)

If you're genuinely interested in the company, set alerts for new roles. Many candidates land jobs at companies that rejected them on the first try — just in a different role or at a different time.

Audit your application (this week)

Look at it honestly: Did your resume clearly match the requirements? Did your assessment scores reflect your actual skills? Did your interview preparation cover the right areas? Fix what you can control for the next one.

Keep your pipeline active (ongoing)

The emotional sting of "not retained" fades faster when you have other applications in motion. For a broader approach, see: How to Follow Up on a Job Application.

Feedback request email (after interview stage)

Subject: [ROLE] — brief feedback request

Hi [NAME],

Thank you for considering me for the [ROLE] position. I understand the team decided to go in a different direction.

If you have a moment, I'd appreciate any feedback on areas where I could strengthen my candidacy for similar roles in the future — whether it's specific skills, experience gaps, or interview approach.

Either way, thanks for the time. I'd welcome the chance to stay connected for future opportunities.

Best,
[YOUR NAME]
[LINKEDIN URL]

'Not retained': the quick recovery plan

1'Not retained' is a softer way of saying rejected — your application is closed for this role.
2It means the same thing as 'no longer under consideration' and 'rejected' — different label, same outcome.
3You can usually reapply to other roles at the same company, or to the same role if it's reposted later.
4The best response: request feedback (if you interviewed), improve what you can, and keep your pipeline active.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'not retained' mean on a job application?

It means the employer decided not to advance your application. It's a rejection, phrased in softer language. The label is most common on government and public sector hiring portals.

Is 'not retained' the same as rejected?

Yes, functionally. The wording is gentler, but the outcome is identical — your application is closed and won't move forward.

What's the difference between 'not retained' and 'no longer under consideration'?

Both mean rejection. 'Not retained' is more common in government hiring; 'no longer under consideration' is more common in corporate ATS platforms. The distinction is purely cosmetic.

Can I reapply after 'not retained'?

To the same requisition, usually no. To other roles at the same company, yes. If the same role is reposted, you can apply fresh — ideally with an improved application.

Should I ask for feedback after being 'not retained'?

If you made it to an interview, yes — a brief, professional feedback request is appropriate. If you were rejected at the resume screening stage, feedback requests are less likely to get a response.