In Workday, "In Progress" and "In Process" both mean your application is still active in the employer's recruiting workflow—but neither tells you the exact step. They're functionally the same label (companies just word it differently). Treat either as "not rejected yet", verify your submission, watch for emails/assessments, and follow up after a reasonable window (often 7–10 business days) if you have a contact.
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Let Careery handle your applications- What “In Progress” and “In Process” can and can’t tell you in Workday
- How “In Progress,” “In Process,” and “Under Review” compare
- The most common interpretations behind these statuses
- A complete glossary of every Workday status candidates see
- A practical timeline for what to do next
- When following up helps (and when it hurts)
- Copy/paste follow-up email templates that sound calm and professional
Quick Answers
What does “In Progress” mean in Workday?
Most commonly, it means your application is still active in the employer’s Workday recruiting workflow and hasn’t been closed out. It’s a broad label and doesn’t guarantee that anyone has reviewed your resume yet.
What does “In Process” mean in Workday?
It means the same thing as “In Progress.” Some Workday configurations display “In Process” instead of “In Progress,” but both indicate your application is still active and hasn’t been closed out. The wording is an employer configuration choice, not a different stage.
Is “In Progress” the same as “Under Review”?
Not necessarily. Some employers use “In Progress” as a catch‑all status for multiple steps, including queueing, screening, and internal review. “Under Review” typically implies someone is actively looking at your application, but in practice both labels can mean the same thing depending on how the company configured Workday.
How long can a Workday application stay “In Progress”?
It can stay “In Progress” from a few days to multiple weeks, depending on hiring volume, internal approvals, and recruiter capacity. Status updates can lag behind real activity, so email communication matters more than the label.
When should you follow up?
If you have a recruiter contact, a good default is to follow up after about 7–10 business days (or sooner if the job posting closes, you have a referral, or you were told a timeline). If you don’t have a contact, focus on improving your application and pipeline rather than repeatedly checking the portal.
"In Progress" looks like good news—until two weeks pass and you realize it might mean nothing. And if your portal says "In Process" instead, it's the same story—just different wording. The reality: Workday status labels are signals, not verdicts, and the same label can mean different things at different companies.
Workday is used by thousands of employers, and each organization configures its recruiting workflow differently. Some update statuses in real time; others batch-update once a week. Some show "In Progress," others show "In Process"—both mean the same thing. Understanding what the label can't tell you is just as important as what it can.
Skip to follow-up templates if you want to send a message and move on.
Workday status glossary (every label candidates see)
Workday portals differ by employer, but most candidate-facing labels are variations of these states. Here's every common status, what it typically means, and how to interpret it:
Active / open statuses
- Application Received: your application was successfully submitted and logged in the system. This is the earliest status—it confirms Workday received your materials but no review has started yet. No action needed; just verify your resume and attachments uploaded correctly.
- In Progress / In Process: your application is still open in the system. This is the broadest label—it covers everything from "just submitted" to "waiting on internal decisions." "In Process" is the same status, just different wording.
- Under Review / Review in Progress: the application is in a screening phase. This often means a recruiter is reviewing a batch of candidates, but it doesn't guarantee your specific resume has been read yet.
- Under Consideration: similar to "Under Review"—your application is still being considered. Some companies use this as a mid-stage label after initial screening.
- Active Candidate: you've moved past initial screening and are being actively considered for next steps. This is generally a positive signal, though it doesn't guarantee an interview.
Assessment & screening statuses
- Screening / Screening Phase In Process: the employer is running initial filters—automated knock-out questions, minimum requirements checks, or recruiter review of resumes.
- Assessment / Assessment In Progress: you were sent an assessment (skills test, questionnaire, video interview) and either haven't completed it yet, or the results are being reviewed.
Interview statuses
- Interview / Interview In Progress / Scheduling: an interview is happening or being scheduled. This is usually triggered by a direct email, so check your inbox.
Pending & waiting statuses
- Pending: your application is waiting on an action—often an internal approval, a manager review, or a next step that hasn't been triggered yet.
- Hire In Progress: you're in the late stages—typically post-offer or pre-onboarding. This is a strong signal, but don't celebrate until you have written confirmation.
Offer & pre-employment statuses
- Offer / Offer Extended: you've received a formal job offer through Workday. Check your email and the Workday portal for offer details, compensation, and any documents to sign. Don't resign from your current role until you've accepted in writing and received a confirmed start date.
- Background Check: the employer initiated a background check—typically criminal history, employment verification, and/or education verification. This usually takes 3–7 business days but can stretch to 2–3 weeks for thorough checks. No action needed unless the vendor (e.g., Sterling, HireRight) contacts you to verify information.
- Reference Check: the employer is contacting your references. This typically happens after final interviews and before or alongside a formal offer. Make sure your references know to expect a call or email.
- Pre-Employment: you're in the pre-employment processing stage—this can include background checks, drug screening, I-9 verification, or onboarding paperwork. Follow any instructions sent to your email promptly; delays on your end can slow down your start date.
- Hired: the hiring process is complete and you've been formally added to the system as an employee. This is the final positive status—you should have a confirmed start date and onboarding instructions. If you see "Hired" but haven't received onboarding details, reach out to your recruiter or HR contact.
Closed statuses
- Not Selected / Inactive / Closed: the employer closed the application out (rejection, role closed, or hiring completed).
- Process Completed / Review Completed: the review cycle for this role is finished. This usually means a decision was made—check your email for the outcome.
- Withdrawn: the candidate withdrew (sometimes accidentally—double-check before assuming).
- Moved to Another Req: your application was transferred to a different job requisition within the same company. This can be positive (the recruiter thinks you're a better fit for another role) or neutral (the original role was restructured). Check your email for details about the new position, and follow up with the recruiter if nothing arrives within a few days.
For a similar breakdown in another common ATS, see: Greenhouse Application Status Meaning.
Labels differ, but the states are consistent: active → screening → next step (email) → closed out. Optimize for the workflow, not the wording.
What Workday status labels can (and can't) tell you
Workday status labels are useful for one thing: whether your application is still open in the system. They are much less reliable for telling you exactly what's happening behind the scenes.
Here's what "In Progress" (or "In Process") can usually tell you:
- your application exists in the employer's system
- the application hasn't been marked "inactive," "closed," "not selected," or equivalent
- there may be next steps coming (screening, assessment, interview), but timing is unknown
Here's what it can't reliably tell you:
- whether a recruiter has read your resume
- whether the hiring manager has reviewed your profile (most HMs never see Workday statuses—they only see candidates when recruiters push profiles to them)
- whether you're a top candidate vs. in a large queue
- whether the role is effectively paused (even if still "open" in the ATS)
- whether "In Progress" simply means you passed automated knock-out questions (location, work authorization, salary range) without any human review yet
Many companies update Workday stages in batches, or only after internal decisions are made. Portal statuses can lag behind reality by days (sometimes longer), especially during high-volume hiring.
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
An Applicant Tracking System is recruiting software that stores applications, routes candidates through a workflow (screening \u2192 interviews \u2192 offer), and lets recruiters search and filter applicants by criteria like skills, titles, location, and experience.
- Workday (in recruiting)
Workday is an enterprise HR platform used by employers. When a company uses Workday Recruiting, candidates typically apply through a Workday-hosted careers site, and recruiters manage applicant stages inside the Workday workflow.
Treat "In Progress" or "In Process" as a broad "still active" status. The most trustworthy signals are direct emails (assessment links, interview scheduling) and stated recruiter timelines.
"In Progress" vs "In Process" vs "Under Review" in Workday
This is one of the most common points of confusion. Here's how the three labels compare:
The short version: "In Progress" and "In Process" are the same status with different wording. "Under Review" sometimes means the application has moved a step further into active screening—but at many companies, all three labels are used interchangeably for any open application.
- In Process (Workday)
"In Process" is a Workday application status that means the same thing as "In Progress." The difference is purely cosmetic—some employers configure their Workday portal to display "In Process" instead of "In Progress." Both indicate your application is still active in the system.
Don't read into the wording difference between "In Progress" and "In Process"—they mean the same thing. "Under Review" may indicate active screening, but treat all three as "still open" until you get a direct email or recruiter message.
Meaning of "In Progress" / "In Process" in Workday (common interpretations)
Because employers can configure workflows and labels differently, "In Progress" (or "In Process") is best understood as a small set of common possibilities.
1) Your application was received and is waiting in a queue
This is the most common interpretation—especially for high-volume roles. The application is "in the system," but it may not have been reviewed yet. In many cases, "In Progress" simply means you passed automated knock-out questions (location, work authorization, shift availability) and are now in a review queue.
Typical signs:
- you received an application confirmation email
- the role is still open on the careers site
- there's no further message (assessment, screen) yet
2) Initial screening is happening (recruiter review or automated filters)
Recruiters may be screening applications for minimum requirements (work authorization, location, availability) or looking for a shortlist based on skills and prior titles. This is often what "screening phase in process" refers to in Workday—it's the automated or recruiter-driven filtering step.
A status that stays "In Progress" doesn't mean "strong candidate," and a status that changes quickly doesn't always mean "rejected." Many systems run on batch updates and internal approvals.
3) The application moved forward internally, but the portal label didn't change
Some workflows keep a single "In Progress" label for many steps and only update when the candidate is closed out or formally advanced (e.g., interview scheduling). This is why your status may still show "In Progress" even after an interview.
4) The role is paused, backfilled, or waiting on approvals
In some cases, a requisition remains open in Workday while the team is waiting on budget approvals or internal changes. Your application may stay "In Progress" even when no one is actively reviewing.
5) You completed a step (assessment, questionnaire), and the system is waiting on the next action
If you were sent an assessment link or asked to fill out additional details, Workday may keep the overall status as "In Progress" while internal tasks proceed. This is what "assessment in progress" typically means—you've done your part, and the system is waiting for the next step.
"In Progress" is a bucket, not a promise. The practical move is to control what you can: a clean application, a follow-up plan, and a stronger pipeline.
What to do next (timeline + follow-up steps)
The goal is to (1) avoid missing a real next step and (2) keep momentum even if the status is vague.
Confirm the application actually submitted (today)
Check for a confirmation email and verify your Workday profile shows the correct resume and any attachments. If you applied from a phone, double-check file uploads (some failures look "submitted" but are missing attachments).
Look for time-sensitive next steps (next 24\u201372 hours)
Many employers send assessments or questionnaires shortly after applying. Search your inbox and spam for the company name, "Workday," and "assessment."
Strengthen the application while you wait (this week)
If the role is competitive, treat the waiting period as preparation time: refine your resume, build a short company-specific pitch, and queue up relevant examples for a recruiter screen.
Set a follow-up date (usually 7\u201310 business days)
If you have a recruiter email or a referral, follow up after 7\u201310 business days unless the role explicitly lists a faster timeline. If you don\u2019t have a contact, focus on your pipeline and avoid repeatedly refreshing the portal.
A disappearing posting can mean "filled," "paused," or "reposted under a new requisition." If it\u2019s gone and you have a contact, follow up sooner and reference the role title + date applied.
- Save proof of submission (confirmation email + application ID if available).
- Verify your uploaded resume/attachments are correct and readable.
- Check spam for assessments or scheduling emails (especially in the first 72 hours).
- Do one high-leverage action: referral request, recruiter outreach, or portfolio update.
- Set a follow-up date (often 7–10 business days) instead of checking daily.
- Keep applying elsewhere—one Workday status should never be the only plan.
The best move is structured patience: verify submission, watch for email actions, set a follow-up date, and keep the rest of the pipeline moving.
When not to follow up (too soon or missing the right contact)
Following up can help, but only when it's targeted and timed well.
Avoid following up when:
- It's been fewer than ~5 business days and you weren't given a faster timeline.
- You don't have a real contact (no recruiter email, no referral, no hiring manager connection).
- The posting is still actively collecting applications (common for evergreen roles).
- Your message would be a cold "checking in" with no value, referral, or context.
Messaging "Any updates?" every few days signals poor judgment and can frustrate recruiters who are managing hundreds of applicants. A single, well-timed follow-up is more effective than repeated pings.
If there is no recruiter contact, a more effective strategy is to find the right person first (recruiter or hiring manager) and then send a single, specific message. For practical steps, see: How to Find the Hiring Manager for a Job Posting.
Follow up when you can send a specific message to a real person. Otherwise, invest that effort into pipeline + targeting improvements.
Templates: polite follow-up email (short and standard)
These are designed to be copy/paste friendly and calm. The placeholders are meant to be replaced.
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 in the role—especially the [SPECIFIC DETAIL: team / product / responsibility]. If it’s helpful, I’m happy to share a brief summary of relevant experience: - [1–2 bullets of proof, metrics if possible] Is there a timeline for next steps, or anything else I can provide? Thanks, [YOUR NAME] [LINKEDIN] | [PORTFOLIO]
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] | [PORTFOLIO]
Hi [NAME] — I applied for the [ROLE] role at [COMPANY] on [DATE]. Quick question: is there a preferred contact for recruiting updates on this position? Happy to share a 2–3 sentence summary of fit if helpful. Thanks!
Workday \u201cIn Progress\u201d / \u201cIn Process\u201d: the practical interpretation
- 1“In Progress” and “In Process” mean the same thing—your application is still active, but it’s a broad label.
- 2Status updates can lag—emails and recruiter timelines are more reliable than the portal.
- 3Verify your submission, watch for assessments, and set a follow-up date (often 7–10 business days).
- 4Follow up only when you have a real contact and a specific message—avoid repeated pings.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “In Progress” a good sign in Workday?
It’s a neutral-to-positive sign: it typically means you haven’t been closed out. But it doesn’t confirm review, and it doesn’t predict interview odds. Treat it as “still active,” then focus on follow-up timing and strengthening the rest of your pipeline.
Is “In Process” the same as “In Progress” in Workday?
Yes. “In Process” and “In Progress” are the same status—the difference is purely a configuration choice by the employer. Both mean your application is still active and hasn’t been closed out.
What is the difference between “In Progress” and “Under Review” in Workday?
“In Progress” is a broad catch-all for any open application. “Under Review” sometimes indicates the application has moved into an active screening or review queue. However, many employers use them interchangeably, so the practical difference depends on the company’s Workday configuration.
What does “Application Received” vs “In Progress” mean in Workday?
“Application Received” usually confirms Workday has your submission. “In Progress” means the application has moved past initial receipt into the recruiting workflow (even if no human has reviewed it yet). The transition often happens automatically after knock-out questions are passed.
What does “Screening” or “Screening Phase In Process” mean in Workday?
It means the employer is running initial filters on your application—checking minimum requirements (location, work authorization, experience) or a recruiter is reviewing resumes. It’s a step further than a generic “In Progress,” but it doesn’t guarantee a human has read your specific resume.
What does “Assessment” or “Assessment In Progress” mean in Workday?
It means the employer sent you an assessment (skills test, questionnaire, or video interview). Check your email and spam for the assessment link. If you’ve already completed it, this status means results are being reviewed.
What does “Active Candidate” mean in Workday?
It generally means you’ve moved past initial screening and are being actively considered for next steps (such as an interview). It’s a more positive signal than a generic “In Progress,” but it doesn’t guarantee an interview—it depends on how the company uses the label.
What does “Pending” mean in Workday?
It typically means your application is waiting on an internal action—a manager approval, a scheduling step, or a process that hasn’t been triggered yet. It’s not a rejection signal, but it also doesn’t confirm forward movement.
What does “Process Completed” or “Review Completed” mean in Workday?
It means the review cycle for this requisition is finished. A decision has likely been made—check your email for the outcome. It could mean the role was filled, or candidates were dispositioned. If you haven’t received an email, it may be a batch-update delay.
Why does my Workday status still say “In Progress” after an interview?
Some employers don’t update portal labels for each step, or updates are delayed while internal decisions happen. If you interviewed, rely on recruiter communication and stated timelines more than the portal status.
Does Workday update the status immediately when you’re rejected?
Not always. Some rejections trigger an email immediately while the portal label lags, and some companies update statuses in batches. If you received a clear rejection email, treat that as the authoritative outcome.
How long should you wait before following up?
A common default is 7–10 business days after applying, unless you were told a faster timeline. Follow up sooner if you have a referral or if the job posting closes and you have a recruiter contact.
Should you apply again if the Workday status is “In Progress” for weeks?
Reapplying to the same requisition usually doesn’t help and can create duplicate records. A better move is targeted outreach (referral or recruiter contact) and continuing to apply to other roles.
What should you do if you can’t find a recruiter contact?
Focus on higher-leverage actions: get a referral, find the hiring manager or recruiter on LinkedIn, or strengthen your resume and portfolio. Then send one specific message rather than repeatedly checking the portal.
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