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What Happens After You Apply for a Job? The Recruiter's Process Explained

What Happens After You Apply for a Job? The Recruiter's Process Explained

You’ve found a job you like, clicked apply, uploaded your CV, answered a few questions... and then? Nothing. It feels like your application has disappeared into a black hole. No email. No call. No feedback. Just silence.

So what’s actually going on behind the scenes?

Let me walk you through it.

Step 1: Your Application Lands in the ATS

Recruiters use a bit of software called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Think of it as a giant digital filing cabinet. Platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, Workable, and ICIMS are just some of the names you might hear—but they all pretty much do the same thing.

They don’t read or judge your CV. They just store it, attached to the job you applied for. That’s it. No fancy AI ranking candidates. No auto-rejections based on formatting. Just storage.

Step 2: Auto-Rejection (If It Happens)

If you get rejected within seconds of applying, it’s not your CV’s fault.

What’s probably happened is this: the application form had a few knock-out questions—maybe around salary expectations, right to work, qualifications, or licences. If your answers didn’t meet the minimum requirements for the role, the system flags you as ineligible. And the recruiter never even sees your CV.

It’s harsh, but it’s efficient. There’s no point a recruiter spending time on someone who legally or logistically can’t do the job.

But again—for clarity—your CV was not auto-rejected by an ATS.

Step 3: A Human Reviews Your CV (Eventually)

Once past the auto-rejection filter, your application sits in the recruiter’s queue. Whether they look at it straight away, next week, or after the application deadline depends on how busy they are and how urgent the role is.

And here’s the truth: most recruiters get hundreds of applications for every role. Around 80% of them won’t be relevant at all. So when your CV gets looked at, it gets about 5–6 seconds to prove it’s worth a longer read.

In those seconds, the recruiter is scanning your most recent experience and your key skills. If they match what they’re looking for, they’ll read on. If not? It’s a no.

(If you need help making sure your CV hits the mark in those first few seconds, I’ve got a completely free CV template you can grab from my bio.)

Step 4: The Recruiter Gets in Touch

If your CV stands out, you’ll hear from the recruiter. That might be a quick call, or they’ll drop you an email to book in a screening call.

And this is important: that screening call is a job interview.

Too many people treat it as a casual chat, but it’s not. The recruiter is making a decision based on that call—do they move you forward or not? So treat it seriously. Be prepared. Be clear on your experience, your notice period, and especially your salary expectations.

Step 5: Recruiter Shortlists and Sends to the Hiring Manager

If the recruiter likes what they hear, they’ll add you to the shortlist. That list, along with your CV and their notes from the call, gets sent to the hiring manager.

This is where things can slow down. Hiring managers are busy. Some don’t love the recruitment process. So the recruiter might have to chase them multiple times to get feedback or to confirm who they want to interview.

But here’s where that relationship with the recruiter matters. If you built a good rapport with them, they’ll often go to bat for you—pushing your application forward even if the manager is on the fence.

Step 6: Interview Stage (Coming in Part Two)

Once the manager confirms who they want to interview, the recruiter will be back in touch to set everything up. I’ll walk you through that whole process in part two of this series.

Why You Might Not Hear Anything After Applying

There are usually three reasons you don’t hear back:

  1. You were auto-rejected based on your application form answers—not your CV.
  2. Your CV hasn’t been reviewed yet—the recruiter’s simply not had chance.
  3. You’re in the maybe pile—you haven’t been rejected, but you’re not a priority either. They’re speaking to other candidates first and might come back to you later.

In any of those cases, a polite follow-up message to the recruiter can give your application a nudge. It might just push you into the “yes” pile.

First Conversations Matter

That initial call with the recruiter is the first stage of the interview process. It’s your chance to make a solid first impression. Be clear. Be concise. Know your salary expectations. And show the recruiter you’re a good match for the role.

Because they’re the gatekeeper—and if they like you, they’ll fight your corner.

Start with these free tools that thousands of jobseekers use every week:

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