What does 'no longer under consideration' mean?

Is it definitely a rejection?

Yes, in almost every case. Applicant tracking systems like Greenhouse, Lever, and Workday use this phrase as a standard rejection label. Recruiters trigger it when they archive a candidate's profile, which happens after they have chosen someone else or decided the role no longer fits your background.

There is a narrow exception: some companies use the same label when a role is put on hold or cancelled entirely, meaning no one was hired. In that situation the rejection is not personal. You can tell the difference by checking whether the job posting has been removed or reposted. If it reappears weeks later with the same description, the role was paused rather than filled.

• The phrase is a system label, not a personal message from the recruiter.
• It appears at any stage: after the resume screen, after a phone screen, or after interviews.
• It is final for this application cycle; reapplying to the same role immediately will not change the outcome.

Common reasons you received this status

Rejections at the resume stage and rejections after interviews happen for different reasons. Knowing which stage you reached helps you diagnose the problem.

• Resume screen: your resume did not match the required skills, years of experience, location, or visa status the recruiter was filtering for.
• Phone screen: your salary expectations, availability, or answers to basic qualifying questions did not align with what the role needed.
• After interviews: another candidate was a stronger fit, or internal feedback flagged a gap in a specific skill or experience area.
• Role cancelled: budget was cut or the position was filled internally before your application was reviewed.
• Volume rejection: the company received hundreds of applications and screened out anyone who did not meet a narrow set of criteria, regardless of overall quality.

What to do immediately after seeing this status

Do not send a follow-up email asking the recruiter to reconsider. It rarely changes the outcome and can leave a negative impression for future applications at the same company. Instead, treat the status as data and act on it.

1. Note the company, role title, and the stage at which you were rejected. Keep a simple log.
2. Review the job description one more time and compare it honestly against your resume. Look for skills or keywords you did not address.
3. If you reached the interview stage, write down every question you were asked while they are fresh. Identify any question you struggled to answer.
4. Wait at least six months before reapplying to the same company for the same role. Some companies enforce a formal reapplication window of three to twelve months.
5. Move your energy to new applications rather than trying to revive this one.

How to improve your next application

Most resume-stage rejections come down to a mismatch between what the posting asks for and what your resume shows. Tailoring your resume to each role is the single most effective fix. Generic resumes that list responsibilities rather than results are filtered out quickly.

For interview-stage rejections, the gap is usually in how you communicate your experience rather than the experience itself. Practise answering behavioural questions using the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Be specific about numbers and outcomes wherever possible.

Check the basics before you apply anywhere: confirm the role is open to your location, that you meet the visa or work authorisation requirements, and that your years of experience fall within the range the posting states. Applying to roles where you miss a hard requirement wastes credits and time.

What to apply to next

After a rejection, the temptation is to apply to as many roles as possible. A targeted approach works better. Focus on roles where you meet at least 70 to 80 percent of the listed requirements, the location and work authorisation match, and the seniority level aligns with your actual experience.

Break-In Bad reads the full text of each job posting, including location, visa requirements, time zone, and level, and scores each role for you. Roles scored 75 percent or above are ones where your profile is a strong match. Roles scored between 45 and 74 percent are worth reviewing before you apply. Roles below 45 percent are ones to skip or address a gap in first. This scoring means you spend your effort on applications that have a realistic chance rather than ones that will result in another "no longer under consideration" status within 48 hours.

Can you ask for feedback after this rejection?

You can ask, but expect silence. In the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, most employers do not provide specific feedback after a rejection due to legal risk and recruiter workload. If you had a direct relationship with a recruiter or hiring manager, a brief, polite note asking for one piece of feedback is reasonable. Keep it to two sentences and make it easy to ignore.

A template: "Thank you for letting me know. If you have a moment, I would welcome one piece of feedback I could act on for future applications." Do not follow up if you do not hear back within a week.