iCIMS Hidden Status Codes and Blank Updates Explained Calmly

You log into a job portal, click your application, and see something that looks like it belongs in a software error log: “Hidden (594236)”. Or worse, the status is completely blank. Or it says “Submitted; Not Selected” even though you never interviewed.

If you’ve stared at iCIMS statuses long enough to start reading meaning into punctuation, you’re not alone. The frustrating truth is that many portal labels are internal workflow breadcrumbs, not clear messages designed for candidates. The good news is you can still take smart next steps, even when the labels are basically meaningless.

This guide breaks down what iCIMS “Hidden (######),” blank status, and “Submitted; Not Selected” usually indicate, what they don’t mean, and a calm playbook you can run every time.

Quick promise: by the end, you’ll know how to interpret these weird labels, what to do in the next 15 minutes, and how to follow up without sounding desperate.

Key takeaway: Portal statuses are often unreliable. Your best strategy is to focus on signals you can control: your materials, your follow-up timing, and how you stay searchable and responsive.

What iCIMS statuses are really showing behind the curtain

To make sense of “Hidden (######)” and other odd labels, it helps to understand what iCIMS is doing. iCIMS is an applicant tracking system (ATS). Employers use it to move candidates through internal steps like “New,” “Recruiter Review,” “Manager Review,” “Phone Screen,” “Offer,” and “Rejected.”

But what candidates see in a portal is usually a stripped-down, filtered version of that internal process. Companies can choose which statuses appear externally, and they sometimes hide steps entirely. That’s why you can see:

• A code-like label that looks unrelated to hiring

• A blank or unchanged status for weeks

• A rejection status that appears suddenly with no warning

What “Hidden (######)” typically means

When you see “Hidden (594236)” or any “Hidden (######)” variant, it usually points to one of these scenarios:

1. An internal status is being used, but the company has configured it as hidden for candidates. The portal can’t display the real label, so it shows “Hidden” plus an internal ID.

2. A workflow step was renamed or mapped in a way that doesn’t have an external-facing translation.

3. A custom status exists only for internal reporting (for example, “Diversity event,” “Referral review,” “Campus pipeline”), and the portal is not meant to reveal it.

What it usually does not mean:

• It does not automatically mean you are rejected.

• It does not automatically mean you are shortlisted.

• It does not prove anyone has looked at your resume.

Think of “Hidden (594236)” like seeing “File_0032.tmp” on someone else’s computer. It tells you a file exists, not what’s inside.

Key takeaway: “Hidden (######)” is most often a configuration artifact, not a secret message about your odds.

Why your iCIMS status can be blank

A blank status is usually caused by how the portal is configured, not by anything you did. Common reasons include:

• The company isn’t publishing statuses externally (or only publishes a couple of them).

• Your application is in a step that has no candidate-facing label.

• A recruiter moved you between steps quickly, and the portal did not refresh.

• The job was updated, duplicated, or reposted, and the portal record is now awkwardly mapped.

What a blank status might indicate, but doesn’t guarantee:

• The hiring team hasn’t reviewed applicants yet.

• The role is paused while budgets, headcount, or internal approvals are sorted.

• Another candidate is being finalized, and everyone else is waiting.

The portal is not a live chat with the recruiter. It’s more like a receipt printer. Sometimes it prints something useful, sometimes it jams.

Key takeaway: Blank status is normal. Treat it as “no reliable information,” then act based on time and your plan.

What “Submitted; Not Selected” usually means

“Submitted; Not Selected” is one of the clearer phrases, but it can still be misleading. In many iCIMS setups, it means:

• Your application was received (“Submitted”).

• The system or recruiter marked you as not moving forward (“Not Selected”).

This can happen for several reasons that have nothing to do with your worth:

• Knockout questions (work authorization, shift availability, required license)

• Auto-screening rules (minimum years of experience, required credential)

• High volume (they advanced a smaller set quickly)

• Internal candidate selected

• Role changed (scope, location, schedule) after posting

It’s also possible to see “Not Selected” when:

• You applied to the wrong requisition (same title, different location)

• The recruiter closed the requisition and opened a new one

• The team decided to “pause” the role, then closed the workflow

Key takeaway: “Submitted; Not Selected” is usually a real rejection, but the reason is often structural, not personal.

The three weird statuses decoded with realistic scenarios

Statuses make more sense when you see what’s happening on the employer side. Here are three real-world style scenarios that match what candidates often experience.

Scenario A: “Hidden (594236)” right after you apply

What you see: You submit an application. Within minutes or a few hours, it changes to “Hidden (594236).”

What’s likely happening internally:

• Your application landed in an internal bucket like “New Applications,” “ATS Intake,” or “Pre-Screen Queue.”

• That internal bucket is configured as hidden externally, so the portal shows a code.

What you should do next (15-minute plan):

1. Screenshot the status (for your own tracking).

2. Check your email spam and promotions tabs for a confirmation email or assessments.

3. Re-open the job posting and compare your resume to the top 5 requirements.

4. If you are missing a key keyword (software name, certification, tool), add it honestly to your resume if you truly have it.

5. Do nothing else for 3 to 5 business days unless the job posting instructs you to follow up.

Why wait? Because most recruiters batch review applicants. Following up too early often goes nowhere, and it can burn energy you could spend on better applications.

Key takeaway: “Hidden (######)” immediately after applying is usually just “in the system.” Use the time to tighten your resume and keep applying elsewhere.

Scenario B: Blank status for weeks after a promising phone screen

What you see: You had a phone screen. The recruiter said, “We’ll be in touch.” The portal shows nothing, or it still says “Submitted,” or it’s blank.

What’s likely happening internally:

• The recruiter moved you to a stage like “Phone Screen Complete” or “Hiring Manager Review.”

• That stage is not visible externally.

• The hiring manager has not reviewed notes yet, or the interview panel schedule is not set.

Calm next steps that work:

1. Send one clean follow-up email within 24 to 48 hours after the screen:

   • Thank them

   • Reconfirm interest

   • Offer one detail that helps them advocate for you

2. Wait 5 business days.

3. If no response, send a short nudge:

   • “Just checking in on timeline”

   • “Happy to provide references or availability”

4. If still no response, assume it’s paused and shift attention to other roles.

A helpful mindset: silence is not always a “no.” It’s often “not now,” and “not now” is not something you can force.

Key takeaway: Blank status after a screen usually reflects internal delay. Follow up twice, then move forward.

Scenario C: “Submitted; Not Selected” even though you feel qualified

What you see: You apply. A day later, “Submitted; Not Selected.”

What’s likely happening internally:

• A knockout question eliminated you automatically.

• A recruiter ran a quick pass and filtered for a specific credential.

• They advanced referrals first and closed the pipeline.

What to do next (without spiraling):

1. Re-check your application answers if the portal allows it.

2. Compare your resume to the job description and identify the likely disqualifier.

3. Apply to a similar role with a better match, ideally at the same company if available.

4. If you have a strong connection, ask for a referral to a role that fits.

If you see “Not Selected” quickly and consistently across roles that look similar, that’s a signal. Something in your application is tripping a rule.

Key takeaway: Fast “Not Selected” is often automation. Treat it as a diagnostics moment, not a personal verdict.

A calm next-steps playbook when portal labels are meaningless

When you don’t trust the status, you need a system that does not depend on it. Here’s a practical playbook you can run for any iCIMS portal, including “Hidden (594236),” blank status, and “Submitted; Not Selected.”

Step 1: Sort your situation into one of four buckets

Instead of decoding the portal, classify your application by what you can verify:

1. Applied, no human contact yet

2. Recruiter contact happened (email, screen, message)

3. Interview happened (any live interview)

4. Clear rejection (explicit “Not Selected,” rejection email)

Each bucket has different best actions and timing.

Takeaway: Your next move should be based on the bucket, not the label.

Step 2: Use a simple follow-up schedule that doesn’t annoy anyone

Use this schedule as a default, then follow the employer’s stated timeline if they gave one.

• After applying (no contact): wait 3 to 5 business days, then one short follow-up if you have a recruiter contact.

• After recruiter screen: thank-you within 24 to 48 hours, then a nudge after 5 business days.

• After interview: thank-you within 24 hours, then check-in after 5 to 7 business days.

If you do not have a recruiter’s email, don’t try to brute-force it with multiple guesses. Focus on applying to additional roles and strengthening your materials.

Takeaway: Two follow-ups is usually enough. More than that rarely changes the outcome.

Step 3: Run a “keyword reality check” (without stuffing)

Many ATS workflows rely on structured fields and recruiter searches. You do not need to game the system, but you should make it easy for a human to see you match.

Do a 10-minute scan of the job posting and make sure your resume clearly includes:

• The exact job title or a close match

• The core tools (software, equipment, platforms)

• Certifications and licenses (written exactly as required)

• The required years of experience (truthfully)

• Industry keywords that show context (healthcare, logistics, retail operations)

Example: If the posting says “Microsoft Excel (pivot tables),” and your resume says “spreadsheets,” rewrite it to reflect what you actually used: “Excel, pivot tables, VLOOKUP.”

Takeaway: Clarity beats cleverness. Make your match obvious in plain language.

Step 4: Create a “plan B” inside the same company

If you keep seeing “Hidden (######)” or blank statuses at one company, you can still move strategically.

• Apply to one or two additional roles where you meet most requirements.

• Keep your work history consistent across applications.

• Use a tight summary tailored to the role family.

Avoid applying to ten unrelated jobs at the same company in one day. That can make you look unfocused.

Takeaway: A focused internal plan beats a spray-and-pray approach.

Step 5: Track your applications like a project

You don’t need fancy software. A simple spreadsheet works.

Track:

• Company, role title, requisition ID (if shown)

• Date applied

• Status label (even if weird)

• Your bucket (applied, contacted, interviewed, rejected)

• Follow-up dates sent

• Notes on fit gaps

This reduces anxiety because you stop re-checking the portal for emotional reassurance.

Takeaway: Tracking turns uncertainty into a manageable workflow.

For readers who are seeing confusing labels across multiple platforms, you may also find it helpful to compare how different systems label similar stages. This reference can help you sanity-check what you’re seeing: Application Status Dictionary for Greenhouse Lever iCIMS Taleo.

What to say in follow-ups plus the mistakes to avoid

Following up is where many people either freeze or overdo it. The goal is simple: stay on the recruiter’s radar while making it easy to respond.

Three follow-up templates that work even when statuses are weird

Use these as frameworks. Keep them short.

Template 1: After applying (no contact yet)

• Subject: Application for [Role Title]

• Message (3 to 5 sentences):

  • You applied

  • You’re excited

  • One sentence on your strongest match

  • Ask about timeline

Example:

Hi [Name], I applied for the [Role Title] position and wanted to briefly confirm my interest. My background in [specific skill] and [specific skill] lines up closely with the role requirements. If helpful, I’m happy to share availability for a quick call. Do you have a sense of next steps or timing?

Template 2: After a recruiter screen

Thanks again for speaking with me. I’m very interested in the role, especially the focus on [specific responsibility]. If it helps, here’s a quick example of how I’ve handled [relevant task] in a similar setting: [one sentence]. Looking forward to next steps when the team is ready.

Template 3: After an interview (status blank or “Hidden”)

Thanks for the conversation. I enjoyed meeting the team and learning more about [project or goal]. I’m still very interested. If there’s anything I can provide to help with the decision, references, work samples, or availability, I’m happy to send it.

Takeaway: One concrete detail beats a long recap of your resume.

Mistakes that quietly hurt your chances

These show up all the time, especially when portal statuses create anxiety:

• Following up daily or sending multiple messages in one week

• Demanding an explanation for “Hidden (######)” or “Not Selected”

• Writing a long emotional email about how much you need the job

• Assuming the portal status is personal and reacting aggressively

If you get rejected, you can ask for feedback, but do it with realistic expectations. Many employers cannot provide detailed reasons.

Takeaway: Keep follow-ups professional, short, and timed. You’re building a reputation even in rejection.

A quick “if-then” decision guide

Use this when you feel stuck:

• If you have no contact and it’s been under a week: apply elsewhere and wait.

• If you have a recruiter email and it’s been 5 business days: send one follow-up.

• If you interviewed and it’s been 7 business days: send one check-in.

• If it says “Submitted; Not Selected”: move on, refine your materials, and target a better-fit role.

If you’re also dealing with confusing status labels on other portals, this companion guide can help you translate the same patterns on a different system: SmartRecruiters Application Status Meanings and Next Step Playbook.

Final takeaway: You don’t need perfect information to take smart action. A calm system will beat portal-watching every time.

Call to action: If this post helped you stop spiraling over iCIMS labels, share it with a friend who’s stuck refreshing their portal, then pick one next step from the playbook and do it in the next 15 minutes.