You logged into the candidate portal. You scrolled past the job description. You checked your application status. It says two words: Under Consideration.
Does this mean a recruiter is actively reading your resume? Does it mean you passed the automated filters? Or is it just a polite placeholder before the inevitable rejection email?
The truth is, "Under Consideration" is the most misunderstood application status in the corporate world. What it actually means depends heavily on when it appears and which software the company is using to hire you.
Here is the exact breakdown of what "Under Consideration" means on a job application, when you should expect an interview, and the specific translations for the biggest tracking systems.
The Short Answer: Is "Under Consideration" a Good Sign?
Yes, but with a massive caveat.
In the vast majority of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), "Under Consideration" simply means that your application successfully passed the initial automated screening (the resume parsers) and is now sitting in a queue waiting for human eyes.
It does NOT mean you have the job. It does not even guarantee an interview. It simply means you haven't been auto-rejected.
The Timeline: What Happens Next?
If you are truly "Under Consideration," you are in the recruiter's backlog. Depending on the size of the company, this phase lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 days.
- Days 1-5: A recruiter is actively batch-reviewing resumes.
- Days 5-14: The hiring manager is reviewing the shortlist provided by the recruiter.
- Day 14+: If your status still says "Under Consideration" after two weeks with zero contact, you have likely been waitlisted. They are interviewing a primary batch of candidates and keeping you in reserve. (If this happens, check out our Ghosted After Interview Scripts).
While You Wait: Don't Waste The "Under Consideration" Window
If your application is officially under review, you need to assume an interview request is coming next week. You cannot afford to wait until they email you to start preparing.
Use this time to drastically increase your interview pass rate:
- Educative.io Grokking Modern System Design - If you applied for a software engineering role, use this time to master microservices and scale.
- TopInterview Expert Resume Review - If you keep getting stuck at the "Under Consideration" phase without getting calls, your resume is failing the human review. Get a professional audit immediately.
ATS Specific Meanings (The "Hub" Directory)
Not all Applicant Tracking Systems are built the same. "Under Consideration" in Workday means something entirely different than it does in Taleo.
Find the system you applied through below to see the exact translation:
1. Workday
If you applied through a portal that looks like myworkdayjobs.com, "Under Consideration" is a highly specific trigger. It means the recruiter has actively clicked on your profile and moved you out of the generic "Applied" inbox. 👉 Read our deep dive: The Complete Workday Status Meaning Guide
2. Greenhouse
Greenhouse doesn't typically use the exact phrase "Under Consideration" on the candidate-facing side, preferring "In Review" or "Active." If you see this, you are in the active pipeline. 👉 Read our deep dive: Greenhouse Application Status Meaning
3. Lever
Lever is unique because it doesn't have a candidate portal at all. If a recruiter emails you saying you are "under consideration," it is a manual update, which is an extremely strong signal. 👉 Read our deep dive: Lever Application Status Meaning
4. iCIMS
In older, enterprise systems like iCIMS, "Under Consideration" is the default status immediately after hitting submit. It does not mean a human has seen it yet. 👉 Read our deep dive: iCIMS Application Status Meaning
5. Taleo & SmartRecruiters
These systems use rigid, multi-step workflows. "Under Consideration" here usually implies you have passed the knockout questions (e.g., "Do you require sponsorship?"). 👉 Read our guides: Taleo Status Meanings | SmartRecruiters Status Meanings
"Under Consideration" vs. "Under Review"
Candidates often panic when their status changes from "Under Consideration" to "Under Review."
Do not panic. This is usually a positive progression:
- Under Consideration: You are in the broad pool of candidates who meet the basic qualifications.
- Under Review: The Hiring Manager (not just the recruiter) is currently looking at your specific profile to decide if they want to interview you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does "Under Consideration" mean I will get an interview? No. It means you have passed the initial automated screening and are in the queue for a recruiter or hiring manager to review your resume manually.
How long does an application stay "Under Consideration"? Typically, you should expect a status update or an email within 3 to 14 days. If your status remains "Under Consideration" for more than 3 weeks without contact, the company has likely moved forward with other candidates but failed to update the system.
What does it mean if my status goes from "Under Consideration" to "No Longer Under Consideration"? This is the standard ATS phrasing for a rejection. The company has decided not to move forward with your application.
