What Does “Application Under Review” Mean? What Happens Next?

You applied for a job, checked your application portal a few days later, and saw three words:

Application under review.

So... what does that actually mean?

Does it mean a recruiter has read your resume? Does it mean you're shortlisted? Should you follow up, or should you simply wait?

The short answer is that your application is still active in the employer's hiring process, but the status doesn't tell you exactly what is happening behind the scenes.

Different companies use different applicant tracking systems (ATS), and they can configure application statuses differently. “Under review” can refer to several stages of the hiring process.

Here's what you need to know.

What Does “Application Under Review” Mean?

Generally, “application under review” means your application has been received and is somewhere in the employer's evaluation process.

The company may be:

• Screening your resume
• Checking your qualifications against the job requirements
• Comparing your application with other candidates
• Reviewing applications with the hiring manager
• Deciding who should move to the next stage

However, the status alone doesn't tell you which of these is happening.

It also doesn't necessarily mean a recruiter has personally read your resume. Some hiring systems use broad status labels that cover multiple steps in the process.

Think of “under review” as:

“Your application hasn't been closed yet, but the employer hasn't told you what happens next.”

That's more accurate than assuming it means you've been shortlisted.

Is “Application Under Review” a Good Sign?

It can be encouraging because your application hasn't been marked as rejected or closed.

But don't read too much into the status.

“Under review” doesn't guarantee an interview, an offer, or even that someone has looked at your application yet.

The more meaningful signals are things like:

• A recruiter contacts you
• You receive an interview invitation
• You're asked to complete an assessment
• The employer requests additional information
• Your application moves to a clearly defined next stage

Until one of those things happens, treat “under review” as an active but uncertain stage.

What Happens After Your Application Is Under Review?

There are several things that can happen next.

1. You May Be Contacted for an Interview

If the hiring team believes your experience matches what they're looking for, you may receive an interview invitation.

This could be a phone screening, video interview, technical interview, or conversation with the hiring manager.

If that happens, don't wait until the interview is scheduled to start preparing.

Review the job description, research the company, and prepare examples that demonstrate your relevant skills.

You can also use Preplink.ai's Mock Interview to practise answering interview questions before speaking with the employer.

2. You May Be Asked to Complete an Assessment

Some employers use tests, assignments, presentations, or other assessments before moving candidates forward.

For example, a marketing role might ask you to analyse a campaign, while a software development role could include a coding assessment.

If you're contacted about an assessment, follow the instructions carefully and pay attention to the deadline.

3. Your Application May Remain Under Review

Sometimes, nothing appears to happen for a while.

The company may still be reviewing candidates, waiting for feedback from a hiring manager, completing interviews, or dealing with internal hiring decisions.

The status can remain unchanged for days or weeks.

That doesn't necessarily mean your application has been rejected.

4. You May Eventually Be Rejected

Unfortunately, “under review” doesn't guarantee a positive outcome.

The company may eventually change your status to “not selected,” “rejected,” “no longer under consideration,” or another similar status.

Some employers may also fail to update application portals promptly.

This is why it's better to treat an application status as information, not a prediction.

How Long Does an Application Stay Under Review?

There is no universal timeline.

An application could remain under review for a few days, several weeks, or longer depending on the company and position.

Factors that can affect the timeline include:

• Number of applicants
• Number of interview stages
• Urgency of the role
• Size of the hiring team
• Internal approvals
• Whether the position is still actively being filled

The wording used by the application system also matters. Employers can configure their ATS differently, so the same status may not represent exactly the same stage at every company.

If the employer gave you a specific timeline, use that as your guide.

If they said they'd contact candidates within two weeks, give them that time before following up.

Should You Follow Up When Your Application Is Under Review?

You don't necessarily need to contact the employer immediately.

If you only applied a few days ago and the portal says “under review,” give the company some time.

If several business days or weeks have passed and you have a legitimate reason to follow up, a short, professional message can be appropriate. Indeed recommends keeping application follow-ups brief and focused on your continued interest in the role.

If several business days or weeks have passed and you have a legitimate reason to follow up, a short, professional message can be appropriate. According to Columbia University's Career Education Guidelines, sending a follow-up letter after a few weeks of silence allows you to check your application status while re-emphasizing your sincere interest in the position.

For example:

Hi [Name],I recently applied for the [Job Title] position and wanted to follow up on my application. I'm still very interested in the opportunity and would be happy to provide any additional information if needed.Thank you for your time.

Keep it brief. One thoughtful follow-up is better than sending several messages.

Read How to Follow Up on a Job Application Without Sounding Desperate

What Should You Do While Your Application Is Under Review?

Don't stop your job search.

This is probably the most important thing to remember.

Seeing “under review” can make you want to wait for that one application before applying elsewhere. Don't.

Continue:

• Applying for other relevant positions
• Improving your resume
• Preparing for interviews
• Building relevant skills
• Tracking your applications

If you're looking for more opportunities, Preplink.ai's Job Board can help you discover and apply for other relevant roles while you're waiting.

You can also use Preplink's Resume Scan to identify areas of your resume that could be improved before submitting your next application.

What If the Status Hasn't Changed for Weeks?

Don't panic.

First, check the original job posting and any emails you received from the employer. The position may still be active, or the company may have provided a hiring timeline.

If enough time has passed, you can send one polite follow-up.

But don't spend weeks refreshing the same application portal.

If the company doesn't respond, keep moving forward with other applications.

Final Thoughts

So, what does “application under review” mean?

Usually, it means your application is still somewhere in the employer's review process. It may be waiting for screening, being evaluated against the job requirements, or moving between different people involved in the hiring process.

What it doesn't tell you is whether you've been shortlisted, whether a recruiter has read your resume, or whether you'll receive an interview.

Don't overanalyse the status.

Give the employer reasonable time, follow up when appropriate, and most importantly, keep your job search moving.

An application under review is still an opportunity, but until you receive an interview invitation or an offer, it's only one application in your job search.