What does not selected by employer mean on indeed and how is it defined
When you see the status what does not selected by employer mean on indeed it means the employer or their system decided not to advance your application. This status is effectively a rejection: your submittal will not move forward in that hiring workflow and you won’t be contacted for the next round in most cases. Indeed’s own help pages explain that "not selected" is used when a candidate was not chosen to continue for the position Indeed FAQs.
Manual decision by the recruiter or hiring manager after reviewing applications.
Automated exclusion by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or screening tool before a human sees the profile.
There are two common ways a "not selected" status happens:
Understanding which one likely applied can change how you respond next.
What does not selected by employer mean on indeed why do employers mark applications this way
Employers mark applications as what does not selected by employer mean on indeed for practical screening reasons. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems that filter resumes by keywords, experience level, or required fields; if your resume or answers don’t match, the system can mark you as not selected automatically ResumeWorded; weTest[https://wetest.io/blog/not-selected-by-indeed-employer/]. Recruiters also make manual decisions based on qualifications, relevant experience, salary fit, or higher-priority candidates.
Keywords or skills from the job description are missing.
Required qualifications (education, licenses, experience) aren’t met.
Application questions were incomplete or inconsistent.
Stronger candidates applied and were chosen instead.
Common employer reasons include:
Indeed’s employer FAQ pages note that "not selected" doesn’t always come with an explanation, which makes the outcome feel ambiguous Indeed FAQs.
What does not selected by employer mean on indeed what challenges does this status create
Seeing what does not selected by employer mean on indeed creates several real challenges for job seekers:
Lack of actionable feedback: Most employers don’t provide specific reasons for rejection, especially when the ATS is involved. This makes it hard to know what to fix next [ResumeWorded].
Emotional impact: Rejection can reduce motivation and increase self-doubt, slowing your search.
Time cost: Without clarity, you may waste time repeating the same mistakes across applications.
Misinterpretation: Job seekers sometimes assume a permanent blacklist; in reality, status typically applies to a single posting and not to future roles.
Accepting that ambiguity is part of the modern job market helps you move to practical next steps.
What does not selected by employer mean on indeed what should I do after receiving it
After you see what does not selected by employer mean on indeed take focused, practical steps rather than dwelling on the outcome.
Review the original job description and your submitted materials. Note where experience, keywords, or answers don’t match.
Save the job posting text for keywords and responsibility phrasing you may have missed.
Immediate actions (first 48 hours)
Tailor your resume and answers to include exact keywords from the job description without keyword-stuffing.
Convert your resume to an ATS-friendly format (simple fonts, no graphics, Word or PDF depending on employer instructions) [ResumeWorded].
correct any incomplete or inconsistent application answers.
Short-term fixes (within 7 days)
If a recruiter contact is listed, send a short, professional message: thank them for considering you, ask if they can share brief feedback, and express interest in future roles. Example message:
Note: Many employers cannot provide individual feedback due to volume or policy; nevertheless, polite outreach can build a relationship.
Outreach and feedback
Hi [Name], thanks for considering my application for [Job]. I saw the status updated to “not selected.” If you have a moment, could you share one area I might improve? I’d appreciate any feedback and remain very interested in future openings.
Run your resume through an ATS-check tool or ask a mentor to review for clarity and relevance.
Build or refresh LinkedIn and company-targeted applications where human review is more likely.
Keep applying—volume plus quality improves your odds.
Longer-term improvements
Citations for action items and ATS tips are available from career tools and Indeed FAQ pages ResumeWorded and weTest.
What does not selected by employer mean on indeed how can I improve my chances on Indeed and similar platforms
To reduce how often you see what does not selected by employer mean on indeed apply targeted strategies that address both ATS filtering and human decision-making:
Use job-description language: include the exact skills, certifications, and role titles that appear in the posting.
Stick to standard headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills).
Avoid images, headers/footers with critical text, or unusual fonts that ATS may misread.
Submit file types recommended by the posting (often .docx or PDF).
Optimize for ATS
Answer required screening questions carefully and consistently with your resume.
If experience requirements are strict, be honest and emphasize transferable skills if applicable.
Improve application answers and completeness
Apply on company career pages or LinkedIn when possible—some employers review internal or direct-site applicants differently than those filtered through job boards [Indeed company FAQs].
Network with current employees or hiring managers; a referral can help bypass some automated filters.
Increase visibility beyond the ATS
Use each rejection to identify skill or experience gaps and prepare concise stories (STAR method) to demonstrate impact in future interviews.
Practice answering common screening questions and behavioral prompts.
Sharpen interview readiness
Track where you applied, the job description keywords, and the status. That helps spot patterns causing "not selected" results.
Persistence and tracking
Sources like ResumeWorded explain how ATS and keyword strategies affect selection, and career blogs like weTest outline practical next steps to reapply or pivot effectively ResumeWorded, weTest.
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With what does not selected by employer mean on indeed
Verve AI Interview Copilot can help you interpret and act on what does not selected by employer mean on indeed by analyzing your submitted materials, suggesting ATS-friendly wording, and generating tailored application answers. Verve AI Interview Copilot offers real-time feedback for resumes and answers, simulates interview questions, and gives actionable wording improvements. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to practice concise responses and to rehearse follow-up messages requesting feedback from recruiters. Learn more at https://vervecopilot.com and try practical interview rehearsals to turn a "not selected" into improved outcomes.
What does not selected by employer mean on indeed how does this relate to other professional communication scenarios
The meaning behind what does not selected by employer mean on indeed translates to broader professional contexts:
Sales calls: a “no” or non-response may reflect misfit, timing, or messaging. Use rejection to refine positioning and qualification questions.
College or program admissions: not being selected often indicates competitive pools; analyze fit, prerequisites, and statement quality.
One-way interviews or assessments: automated scoring can produce similar opaque decisions; focus on clarity and completion.
Treat "not selected" as data: it signals where communication, qualification, or presentation didn’t align with expectations. Apply the same review-and-improve cycle you would for interviews or pitches—identify gaps, update materials, and practice clearer delivery.
What Are the Most Common Questions About what does not selected by employer mean on indeed
Q: Does not selected mean I’m blacklisted
A: No it usually applies to a single application not an ongoing ban
Q: Should I reapply after not selected
A: Yes review and tailor your resume then reapply to better-matched roles
Q: Can I ask why I was not selected
A: You can ask politely but many employers cannot provide individual feedback
Q: Is ATS always to blame for not selected
A: Not always sometimes recruiters manually decide based on fit
Q: Will networking prevent a not selected result
A: Networking helps—referrals can improve visibility beyond ATS filters
Q: How soon should I change my resume after not selected
A: Review immediately and update within a week to avoid repeating mistakes
Final thoughts
Seeing what does not selected by employer mean on indeed is frustrating but common. Use it as information rather than a final verdict: audit the posting, tailor your materials, practice interview stories, and expand channels where humans will review your profile. With a structured follow-up plan and persistent, targeted improvement, you’ll reduce future "not selected" outcomes and increase matches with employers who value your skill set.
ResumeWorded analysis on rejection and ATS practices: https://resumeworded.com/blog/what-does-not-selected-by-employer-mean-on-indeed/
weTest discussion and practical steps after Indeed rejections: https://wetest.io/blog/not-selected-by-indeed-employer/
Indeed company FAQs about application statuses: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Aspen-Dental/faq/under-my-submittal-status-it-says-submitted-not-selected-immediately-after-i-submitted-my-application-what-does-this-mean?quid=1bggrk3l9akd6f3i
Sources and further reading
