When an application is “under review,” it can mean a few different things. This article will help you to understand all there is to know about it. Once you’ve finished reading, you’ll be a bit more clear about its meaning.
What Does It Mean When Your Job Application Is “Under Review”?
“Under review” means that a job application is currently being looked into. It has not yet been accepted, but it hasn’t been rejected either. Some companies leave applications on review forever because it’s easier (legally) than rejecting an application, but this isn’t always the case.
If your application is currently under review, that doesn’t necessarily mean you haven’t got the job. It mainly depends on how long you’ve been waiting to hear back from the company.
If you’ve only been waiting a few days or weeks, it’s likely that “under review” means they haven’t gotten around to viewing your application. Or, if they have, they haven’t had a chance to decide whether you’re a suitable candidate.
After all, jobs are always very competitive. There are plenty of people applying to the same jobs as you, and you need to remember that the company has to “review” each application individually before accepting anyone.
What Does It Mean If Your Job Application Has Been “Under Review” For A Month?
If your job application has been “under review” for a month, it can mean one of two things. The first is more positive, as it means the company is very busy and hasn’t got around to it yet. The second is negative, and it means you’ve been rejected without being informed.
Most companies take a long time to look through applications, so it makes sense that a month might not be long enough for them to get back to you. Most companies also state how long their application process usually is to give you an idea of how long to wait.
If a company has a two-week application process, but your application is under review a month later, it’s likely they’ve rejected you without informing you.
Unfortunately, this can happen because leaving your application under review forever is easier to handle than rejecting it. There’s always the worry that rejection can be taken to court if it is for the wrong reasons, so some companies avoid it altogether.
How Long Does It Take For A Job Application To Be “Under Review”?
Job applications vary in length based on the company you apply for. Some larger companies that have a lot of positions and roles available will take a longer time (two weeks to a few months).
Smaller companies tend to be quicker at reviewing applications. They often don’t have much to go through, and they usually have a more attentive team that is eager to find new candidates that might be able to shake things up.
We can’t give you an exact answer in any case, but you should remember that larger companies tend to take longer to review.
What Is The Status After “Under Review”?
There are two main statuses that come after “under review.” One is good; the other is bad.
“Accepted” is one of the statuses after “Under review.” This is the best one since it means that you passed the application process and there is a job ready for you. “Denied” or “rejected” is the negative status. This shows that you did not get the job, and you were turned down.
Technically, “reviewed” is also a suitable status to come after “under review.” However, many companies skip this step and go straight to “accepted” or “rejected” to make it more clear what the outcome is.
What Is The Difference Between “Application Under Review” And “Application Received”?
“Application under review” means your application hasn’t been fully reviewed, or there are still decisions to make. “Application received” means that your application has been received, but it usually only applies when you’ve just sent it off.
The key difference here comes from the timing. You’re more likely to see “application received” as soon as you’ve sent your application. This shows that the company has received it.
As soon as the company opens your application or begins its review process, “application received” no longer applies. Instead, we would use “application under review” to show that you’re into the next stage.
Is “Application Under Review” A Good Sign?
“Application under review” can be a good sign. There are certain companies that reject applications instantly if they don’t meet the criteria. If you apply to these companies, then getting to “under review” means you’ve succeeded with the first challenge.
It’s not a good sign if you’ve seen the “under review” status for more than two months. This is usually the cut-off point which means you have either been accepted or rejected.
What Is The Difference Between “Awaiting Review” And “Pending Review”?
There are also subtle differences between the phrases “awaiting review” and “pending review.” It all depends on the time since you entered your application for review.
“Awaiting review” implies that a review has not yet begun for your application. The company might be busy with other things. “Pending review” means an outcome has not been decided yet, but it’s more likely that your application is being reviewed.
Generally, we “await” before any review has taken place. We “pend” when we are currently reviewing, but we have not come to any final decisions.
What Is The Difference Between “In Review” And “Under Review”?
There is only a subtle difference between “in review” and “under review.” Most people tend to ignore it and treat them as synonymous phrases.
“In review” typically applies when the review has started for an application. “Under review” is more general, as it can refer to when the application has only just been sent through and when the application is being reviewed.
“Under review” is the more general one, meaning it’s more popular in most cases. It typically shows that a reviewer or employer has accepted your application for review, but they might not have started yet.
“In review” refers to the later stages that come after your application has been sent through. You typically don’t see “in review” used until after someone has started looking through your review.
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Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
