What is UKG and who uses it?
UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) was formed in 2020 when Ultimate Software and Kronos merged, creating one of the largest HR platform companies in the world. The company serves more than 70,000 organisations across healthcare, retail, manufacturing, logistics, and hospitality — meaning if you've applied to a hospital, a regional retailer, or a large warehouse employer, there's a strong chance your application is sitting inside UKG.
UKG offers two main products for mid-market employers: UKG Pro (formerly UltiPro), which is the full HCM suite used by larger mid-market companies, and UKG Ready (formerly Kronos Workforce Ready), which targets smaller mid-market employers. Both platforms have an integrated recruiting module where candidates apply and track status. The candidate portal typically shows your status in real time once the employer has updated it.
UKG application status definitions
New — Your application was received successfully. No human has reviewed it yet. This is the default state immediately after submission and may persist for days or weeks at high-volume employers.
In Review — A recruiter or hiring manager has opened your application. This does not guarantee a careful read — many ATS screens count opening the file as "viewed." It does mean you passed any automated filtering.
Under Consideration — You have moved past initial screening and are being actively evaluated for the role. This is a positive signal. It often means you have been added to a shortlist for a phone screen or first-round interview.
Interview Scheduled / Interviewing — Self-explanatory: a live interview has been arranged or is in progress. If you see this and have not been contacted, check your spam folder — the invite may have been sent.
Offer — An offer has been extended or is in preparation. The hiring team has selected you as the preferred candidate.
Hired — The process is complete and you have been formally onboarded or the start date is confirmed.
Rejected / Not Selected / Declined — The employer has moved forward with other candidates. UKG often sends an automated email at this point, but not always.
How long does each UKG stage take?
UKG is heavily used in healthcare, where hiring timelines are longer than average because credentialing, license verification, and background checks add layers to the process.
- New → In Review: 3–14 days at most employers. Healthcare systems may take 2–3 weeks to begin reviewing applications for clinical roles.
- In Review → Under Consideration: 3–7 days if a recruiter is actively screening. Roles that require skills tests or pre-screening questionnaires can add another week.
- Under Consideration → Interview: 1–2 weeks. Phone screens are usually scheduled 3–5 business days after the status change.
- Interview → Offer: 5–14 days for most mid-market employers; longer if multiple interview rounds are required or if committee approval is needed.
- Offer → Hired: 1–3 weeks accounting for background check, drug screen, and reference checks common in healthcare and manufacturing.
If your status has been stuck on "New" for more than 3 weeks, the role may have been filled internally or frozen. Staying active on multiple platforms is the best hedge against this uncertainty.
Why your UKG status may not update
One common frustration with UKG — and ATS platforms generally — is that status updates depend entirely on recruiter discipline. Many recruiters are managing 30–50 open requisitions simultaneously and update statuses in bulk only when they have time. This means your status could be "New" while you are actively being screened, or "In Review" while the role has already been filled.
Some UKG implementations also have custom status names — an employer can rename the default statuses or add intermediary stages. If you see a status not listed above (such as "Pre-Screen," "Skills Assessment," or "Manager Review"), these are custom additions to the standard workflow.
The most reliable signal is direct communication from the recruiter — not the status field. Use the status as a rough guide, not a precise indicator.
What to do while waiting
Do not pause your job search because your UKG status says "Under Consideration." The average job seeker receives one interview invitation for every 40–60 applications sent. Even a promising application in UKG can fall through due to budget freezes, internal promotions filling the role, or a competing candidate with a referral.
The most effective strategy is to keep your pipeline full across multiple platforms simultaneously. Apply to new roles daily while waiting for responses from previous applications. This keeps your funnel healthy and reduces the emotional weight of any single application.