Application Status
Where your job application stands in the hiring process — typically categories like Applied, Under Review, Phone Screen, Interviewing, Offer, Rejected. Tracking status across all active applications keeps your job search pipeline visible and manageable.
Application status refers to the current stage of your job application in the hiring process. Most job portals provide some version of a status indicator; many don't update it in real time. **Common application status stages:** - **Applied / Submitted**: Your application has been received but not yet reviewed - **Under Review / In Progress**: A recruiter has looked at your application - **Phone Screen Scheduled**: Recruiter has reached out to schedule a call - **Interviewing**: Active in the interview process - **Offer Extended**: A formal offer has been made - **Hired**: Offer accepted, position filled - **No Longer Considered / Not Moving Forward**: Rejected - **Position Filled**: Role was filled, often without individual rejection notifications **The problem with portal status tracking:** Many company portals update status manually and infrequently. 'Under Review' can sit unchanged for weeks whether you've been rejected or are about to receive a phone screen. Don't read too much into portal status. **Your own tracking is more reliable:** Maintain your own application tracker with the dates of each interaction. Your record of 'applied → recruiter call → interview → waiting' is more useful than the portal's generic status. **The silence problem:** Most companies don't send individual rejection emails. 'No response after 3 weeks' is often the rejection notification. If you've followed up once or twice and heard nothing, consider the application inactive and move on.
Why it matters
Waiting passively for status updates from company portals is one of the most inefficient job search behaviors. Actively tracking your own pipeline and following up proactively keeps opportunities from slipping through inattention.
Candidate tip
Flag any application where you're 10+ days past the recruiter's stated callback window — at that point, a brief follow-up email is appropriate and sometimes revives processes that simply got delayed.
Put this into practice with the candidate.so Application Tracker.
Learn more →Related terms
Application Tracking
ApplicationsThe practice of systematically recording and monitoring job applications — where you applied, when, what stage each is at, and what follow-up is needed. Without tracking, active job seekers lose visibility into their pipeline and miss follow-up opportunities.
Follow-Up Email
ApplicationsA message sent to a recruiter or hiring team after submitting an application or completing an interview to express continued interest, provide additional information, or check on application status. Timing and tone matter: too aggressive is off-putting; too passive means missed opportunities.
Hiring Process
ApplicationsThe full sequence of steps an employer uses to evaluate and hire candidates — from job posting to background check to offer. Processes vary by company size and role, but typically include: application, screen, interview rounds, assessment, reference check, and offer.
Rejection Email
ApplicationsAn official notification from an employer that your application will not advance further. Most companies send generic rejection emails; some don't send them at all ('ghosting'). What to do after rejection: keep notes, stay professional, and sometimes request feedback.