3 key takeaways
- Being shortlisted for a job lifts you from a pool of candidates and distinguishes you as a viable contender.
- There’s still work to be done after you’ve been shortlisted.
- Teal’s AI Resume Builder can help you tailor your resume to increase your chances of being shortlisted for your dream job.
Getting shortlisted for a job means you're not just another name in a pile of applicants—you're a contender. It’s an employer’s way of saying, “You’ve got potential we’d like to explore.”
Depending on the organization, being shortlisted means you’re one of a few people who might leave the final interview with the job. It’s a serious achievement—but there’s still work to do.
In this article, you’ll learn what being shortlisted means in different contexts, how many candidates make it to the final round, and signs you’ve been shortlisted.
Ready to create a targeted resume that increase your chances of being shortlisted? Build a resume with Teal for free.
What does shortlisted mean?
Being shortlisted means being selected as a candidate for further consideration in any competitive process. In the context of your job search, being shortlisted for a job means you match the initial criteria for the position. For large organizations (1000+ employees), shortlisting is just the first of many steps. For smaller companies or startups, one round of shortlisting and an interview might be the entire process.
Factors that influence job shortlisting
Most companies consider these six factors when working to shortlist candidates:
- Experience: Your past roles and responsibilities align closely with the job requirements
- Skills: Specific skills listed in your resume match the job description
- Qualifications: Relevant educational background or certifications
- Achievements: Noteworthy accomplishments that speak to the skills you’ve highlighted
- Keywords: Use of industry-specific terms that match the job listing
- Professionalism: A well-structured, error-free resume
How your resume influences being shortlisted
A well-crafted resume can be the difference between instant shortlisting for certain jobs and trudging through application after application—unsuccessfully.
Employers often receive hundreds of applications in today's digital job market. A standout resume quickly conveys why you’re the right fit by highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences. Instead of listing past roles, tailor your resume to each unique application.
You can customize your resume by:
- Using keywords from the job description.
- Highlighting relevant achievements and experiences.
- Formatting your resume for clarity and readability.
By aligning your skills and experiences with the job requirements, you increase the likelihood of catching the recruiter’s eye and making it to the shortlist.
Pro Tip: Teal’s Resume Builder can help you align your content to different job descriptions. Using Teal's Match Score, you can see how your existing skills and experiences stack up to a job and what you should optimize to boost your resume's impact on your shortlisting status.
What does it mean to be shortlisted for a job?
Being shortlisted for a job means you're not just another applicant—you're a strong candidate who has met the essential criteria and piqued the hiring manager’s interest. It’s a positive signal that your resume stood out and aligned closely with the job requirements.
There are two main cases when you might be shortlisted: for a position or for an interview. Let’s take a closer look at each situation:
What does it mean to be shortlisted for a position?
Being shortlisted for a position usually means one of two things:
- The hiring manager liked your resume, but they haven’t started interviewing. They’ll get back to you with next steps as they decide to close the first stage.
- You’ve finished an interview (or a set of interviews) among a small group of finalists—one of whom the company will award the job.
In either case, it means you’ve emerged victorious from your current stage. For a small group of candidates, shortlisting is kind of like being nominated for awards; it signifies recognition of potential and qualifications in a competitive field.
Pro tip: Ask your hiring manager or recruiter about the timeline of events. This will give you clarity on how long you have to prepare questions and potential answers for the interview.
What does it mean to be shortlisted for a job interview?
Being shortlisted for an interview can mean one of two things:
- If the company is small, being shortlisted might mean you’ve made it to the final round—the interview.
- If the company is mid- to large-size, an interview shortlisting usually means you’ve made it past the cursory scan of candidates but you might still face several interviews before a final decision.
Pro tip: Tailor your preparation for each interview stage. Start by reviewing the company's core values, and then align how you talk about your experiences and skills to what's important to them.
The implications of being shortlisted (what comes next)
Being shortlisted for a job is an encouraging milestone, but it also signals the need for continued effort and preparation. At this stage, three things are a given:
- Everyone else who’s made it to the shortlist is also a viable (and potentially great) candidate
- You’ll need to prepare well for a final interview
- You’ll need to prepare for a round of job offer negotiations
Research by Teal highlights it can take up to 21 intentional applications to receive one job offer, highlighting the importance of persistence even when you make it to a company's shortlist of candidates.
How being shortlisted for a job affects your chances
The average corporate job opening gets 250 resumes. Of those, between four to six will be called for an interview, and the interview process takes an average of 23 days. So, if you’ve made it to the interview round, your chances of getting the job are considerably higher than when you applied.
But this also means every other candidate in the interview is also a competitor. So you’ll need to prepare well for the following stages. Research by Teal highlights that it can take up to six first-round interviews to land an offer.
How many candidates make it to the final interview?
Landing a final interview is a feat in itself. But how many candidates actually make it that far? Let's break it down.
The numbers don’t lie: after submitting up to 10 applications, 47% of job seekers will get shortlisted for 1–2 interviews.
But not all companies are built the same. Here are three factors that can determine how many candidates a company will shortlist and hire:
- Company size: Smaller companies might narrow down to a single final candidate sooner, while larger firms might have multiple interview rounds.
- Position level: Senior roles often see fewer final candidates because they require specific expertise.
- Industry standards: Different industries have varying norms for the number of final interviewees. For example, tech startups might prefer a more streamlined process compared to legacy government agencies.
How to increase your chances of making it to the final interview
To boost your odds of being shortlisted, do these three things:
- Use tools like Teal’s Resume Job Description Match to match your skills and experience with the requirements of a job description
- Demonstrate how you’ve solved challenges and had an impact in previous roles
- Research the company’s culture and recent achievements, and then tailor your pitch to show how your skills and values align perfectly with their current needs
Jane Shand, HR Director of Streamline HR, has this to say about increasing your chances of making it to the final interview:
“If you have personalized your cover letter, explained why you find our organization and specifically this job exciting, told us what you could offer us in this role, and you fit at least 80% of the requirements of the role, chances are you are being considered.”
Pro tip: Follow individuals from the company on LinkedIn and interact with their posts. This shows genuine interest and can set you apart before the interview stage.
Signs you’ve been shortlisted for a job
A job offer is almost always preceded by subtle indicators. Here are some telltale signs you’ve made it to the shortlist:
- Personalized communication: You receive detailed emails with notes from your interview or resume (rather than generic responses)
- Requests for additional information: Employers or hiring managers ask for more documents like references, portfolios, or work samples
- Interview scheduling: You’re asked to schedule multiple rounds of interviews—especially with senior team members
- Discussing availability: The hiring manager starts discussing your availability or potential start date
- Follow-up questions: You receive post-interview follow-up questions asking you to provide more details about your last role or complete a mock assignment
Pro tip: Always follow up with a thank-you email after each interview. It reinforces your interest and keeps you top of mind.
But thank-you emails during a job search can create cognitive strain. That’s why Teal has communication templates you can personalize and send out to hiring managers.
How to improve your chances of being shortlisted with Teal
Now that you understand more about shortlisting, follow these steps inside Teal’s platform to boost your chances of making the list:
Step 1: Import your resume
Import your existing resume into the AI Resume Builder. You can also import your LinkedIn profile or create a resume from scratch in minutes if you don't have one. The greater the level of detail you provide, the better your resume will be.
Step 2: Add a job
Click the "Matching" tab at the top of your dashboard. Then, select a specific job description to attach to your resume in the drop-down menu. (You can either choose from your Job Tracker directly or create a new job for comparison.)
Step 3: Review your Match Score results
Your Match Score indicates how closely your resume matches the job description. A good Match Score is 60% or higher. You can increase your score by adding more of the identified keywords—getting you one step closer to the shortlist because you show how what you've done relates to the specific position you're applying for.
Boost your chances of being shortlisted with Teal
Landing on a short list is a milestone. Even if you don’t get the job, it still validates your skills and achievements—and puts you a step closer to your dream career.
A free resume maker like Teal's can't guarantee you'll land on the shortlist, but it can help you create a better resume that increases your chances.
By leveraging advanced tools like Match Scoring, you can align your resume closely with job descriptions—highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills. This tailored approach can make your application stand out, increasing the likelihood of progressing to the next stage.
Take advantage of Teal's features to refine your resume and present the best version of yourself to potential employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when you are shortlisted?
Being shortlisted means you’ve passed the initial screening and are considered a top candidate for the role. It indicates your skills and experience closely match the job requirements. You’re now one step closer to securing the position.
Is it good if you are shortlisted?
Absolutely, being shortlisted is a positive sign. It shows the hiring team sees potential in you and wants to learn more about your fit for the role. It’s an opportunity to showcase why you’re the best candidate.
Is shortlisted the same as selected?
No, being shortlisted is not the same as being selected. Shortlisted means you’re in the running, but you haven’t secured the job yet. There are still more steps in the interview process to go through.
Is being shortlisted for an interview good?
Yes, being shortlisted for an interview is good. It means you’ve made it past the initial cut, and the company is interested in you. It’s a chance to impress the hiring team and move closer to an offer.
How do you know if you are shortlisted?
You’ll typically know you’re shortlisted if you receive personalized communication from the employer, such as detailed emails or requests for additional contact information. Invitations to schedule multiple rounds of interviews are also a strong indicator. Sometimes, employers will directly inform you that you’ve been shortlisted.
