What does this mean on a job application?

What does it mean when my job application is on hold?

• I applied at Zellers in MB Canada and my interview went very well and I got a call saying that I got hired 8 days later. However I told her during the interview that I would be going out of town (she responded saying that it was fine) and would miss some shifts on the weekend. Apparently they needed people (high volume of employees) to be trained for a grand opening on the following weekend so my trip can't be postponed to that weekend either (and the weekend after that is the one before school :(). She then told me my application would be put on hold for September. So I made the cut but my availability for the time being wasn't what they wanted. Does this mean the job opportunity is thrown out the window? Usually when they say 'on hold' or 'on file' they usually forget about it... =( and I hope this isn't case for me because I really need a job. Such bad timing...

• Answer:

  Sometimes if the company wants you to begin sooner than possible, companies can put your resume' in their files for future openings. In this case, it sounds like openings are expected in September. They were impressed with you enough to hire you, so they want to keep you in the eligible candidate file for the next round of hiring. I would suggest following-up with them, checking on the status and reiterate your interest in the position and working with the company. Good luck!