In care leadership, how you respond to “no” matters just as much as how you lead.
At P.J. Recruitment, we’ve seen the best (and the worst) of how candidates react when they don’t get the job. Most show grace. But some responses are damaging, not just to us, but to their future opportunities.
We specialise in placing leaders across care-focused sectors. And while most candidates are gracious professionals, there’s a growing trend we need to address:
- Candidates who write cold, clipped, or condescending replies when they’re not selected.
- Candidates who contact the client directly—sometimes even speaking poorly about the recruitment process.
- Others who vent to mutual contacts inside the organisation, jeopardising future partnerships.
- And those who, instead of saying thank you, simply go silent. Or worse, rude.
These moments don’t just impact your standing with us, they impact your standing with the sector.
The Sector of Care Deserves… Care
We’re not here to scold. We’re here to call people in—not out.
Because we get it:
- The job market is tough.
- Recruiters sometimes don’t get it right.
- You’ve put yourself out there and feel unseen.
But care-based leadership demands a higher standard of emotional intelligence, relational trust, and communication. When you work in these sectors, whether it’s a nursing job, disability leadership role, or a community care position, your behaviour should reflect your values.
And those values don’t switch off just because things didn’t go your way.
What Clients See (and Remember)
Our clients aren’t just hiring capability—they’re hiring conduct. Especially in care, where leadership is personal and often close to the frontline.
When you:
- Fire off a curt email,
- Call someone at the site to complain about the interview,
- Or act passive-aggressively in your follow-up,
…you’re giving us and the client a preview of how you handle stress, power, and disappointment. And that matters. A lot.
These Behaviours Will Shut the Door
Here are examples of what will place a firm halt on any future contact from us:
- ❌ Sarcastic “wish you luck, you’ll need it” messages.
- ❌ Backchannel phone calls to people you know at the site.
- ❌ Rude or abrupt emails to recruiters or the client.
- ❌ Talking down the process or other candidates.
- ❌ Demanding explanations or feedback without grace.
Remember, we represent our clients. If we wouldn’t feel proud forwarding your message to a care CEO, we won’t do it.
But Here’s What Keeps the Door Open
And yes, even after a “no,” it can stay open—if you keep your integrity intact.
We’ll always remember the candidate who:
- ✅ Sent a warm thank-you note, even when they didn’t get the job.
- ✅ Asked for feedback without entitlement.
- ✅ Expressed continued interest in the organisation, not just the role.
- ✅ Genuinely appreciated the opportunity to be considered.
These candidates get called again. Sometimes 6 weeks later. Sometimes 6 months. But always with the same respect they gave us.
As Harvard Business Review pointed out in their article on how to respond to rejection: “Those who respond warmly and with gratitude stand out. It shows their maturity and keeps them top-of-mind for future opportunities that may be a better fit.”
Care Leadership Is a Long Game
In care-based leadership professions, your name carries weight. The sector is interconnected, relational, and grounded in a shared commitment to human dignity.
Which means:
- People talk.
- Boards remember.
- Recruiters don’t forget how you made them (or their clients) feel.
If your default mode under pressure is to lash out or burn bridges, you’re showing us that perhaps care isn’t as central to your leadership style as your CV claims.
You’re More Than a Job Title
We see your potential. We advocate for you with passion. And we know how much of your identity is tied up in your career. That’s what makes us different from transactional recruiters—we actually care.
But we also expect care back.
Whether you’re applying for a Clinical Governance Manager role, a Community Health CEO position, or supporting NDIS operations—you’re asking to lead people. To guide those who rely on compassion, ethics, and calm leadership.
Start showing that leadership when things don’t go your way. Because that’s when it matters most.
Why We’re Sharing This
This blog isn’t a warning, it’s an invitation. To step into the kind of leadership this sector needs.
We’ve seen too many brilliant professionals derail their reputation with one tone-deaf email or bitter phone call. And for what?
If you truly care about care, then show us. Especially in disappointment.
Because in our work—recruiting across aged care, health, disability, mental health, and community services—we’re not just looking for talent. We’re looking for character.
Final Words: Kindness Carries
We don’t expect perfection. We expect professionalism. And kindness. And care.
So if you’re reading this after receiving a rejection, or you’re just preparing for your next leadership opportunity, ask yourself:
- Am I showing the care I say I value?
- Would I be proud of my behaviour to be shared with a future employer?
- Am I building relationships? Or burning them?
Care doesn’t stop when you hear “no.” In fact, that’s when it starts to matter most.
We’re Still Looking for Leaders Who Lead with Care
If you’re seeking leadership roles in care-based sectors, including aged care jobs, healthcare leadership, mental health managers, or disability sector executives, we’d love to hear from you, when you’re ready.
#NursingJobs #NursingJobsSydney #CareJobs #AgedCareRecruitment #CareerCoachingForCare #CareSectorLeadership #KindnessInLeadership #HealthAndDisabilityCareers #LeadershipWithCare #CEORecruitment #CareLeadership