I recently had a very positive interview with one of Brookdale's corporate recruiters. She was incredibly professional, warm, and reminded me of myself during my recruiting days—personable, thorough, and clearly passionate about what she does. I was excited, as this role is one I’m currently doing successfully for another company, and I felt 100% aligned with the qualifications and expectations.
Brookdale has been a company I’ve admired and wanted to work for over the years, so I was genuinely thrilled about the opportunity. The recruiter even shared that she felt I would be a strong fit for the community I applied for, and if that didn’t work out, she’d be happy to put me forward for another nearby location. I felt encouraged and optimistic.
I interviewed with the Executive Director the following Monday (3/24). Unfortunately, the interaction was brief and impersonal—it felt as though a decision had already been made before I walked in. It was a noticeable shift from the energy I had experienced earlier in the process.
I followed up with a thank-you note to both the ED and the recruiter, expressing gratitude for their time and reiterating my interest. A few days later, I received a note from the recruiter saying there were a few more interviews happening that week, and they'd get back to me. But then—radio silence.
I want to be transparent: I received another offer the morning of my Brookdale interview and chose to delay responding, as Brookdale was my top choice. It’s now been two weeks with no communication, and I’ll be starting my new role next week.
I sent one final email to the recruiter to express that feedback is vital—especially when a candidate has been given such hope and encouragement. This is a small, connected industry, and how we treat people matters. Candidates deserve transparency and respect throughout the process. I hope Brookdale takes that to heart and reflects on how to improve this aspect of the candidate experience.
