75th Spotlight: Chief Talent Strategist Matt Adam

As part of our 75^th anniversary celebration, NAS is highlighting some of our tenured talent and sharing their insights on the evolution of recruitment marketing. First up is Matt Adam, our Chief Talent Strategist and a 28-year veteran at NAS.

When did you join NAS and what do you remember most about your first days here?

I started working for what was then called Nationwide Advertising Service in September of 1994 as a Client Service Coordinator (CSC). I worked directly with our local accounts to make sure all their needs were met. It was my first job out of college, and I began in the Denver office before moving to Cincinnati.

What was the recruitment industry like at that time and how did your role evolve?

When I first started, recruitment marketing was very one-dimensional. Newspaper ads were the dominant way candidates got jobs and in turn, it was what we did. It was extremely deadline-driven due to everything needing to be done by the Sunday paper. Mondays and Tuesdays were the most relaxing days and then every other day got a little more hectic.

I was only in the Client Service Coordinator role for around six months before I moved into an Account Executive role, which was focused on acquiring new business. Success in this role led to a promotional opportunity to run the Cincinnati office as Regional Manager. And from there, lots of other twists, turns and opportunities led to my current role as Chief Talent Strategist.

What is the biggest change in recruitment marketing during your career with NAS?

In one word: Technology.

How have your role and career evolved?

My role within the organization (and the organization itself) has changed greatly. We’ve experienced many external changes such as boom/bust cycles, emerging technologies and evolving candidate expectations. Internally, we’ve moved just as quickly – always focused on staying in step to minimize friction for both candidates and employers.

The birth of ACTIVATE (Originally known as NAS ATS SEO Engine) was without a doubt the largest technology change we have had to date. It brought NAS from being simply a media agency to a broader technology firm. It helped us offer the full marketing package to clients.

What have you enjoyed most about your long tenure with NAS?

On top of the people, NAS has allowed me to see the inside workings and thought processes of many different companies and how they operate. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the inside of global fast-food chains and test kitchens, world-class healthcare institutions, manufacturing facilities of all shapes and sizes and everything in between. We are an important piece of helping people find their dream jobs. What’s more fun than that?

Where do you see NAS going in the future?

The future is bright for NAS. The role we play is more important than it’s ever been. The marketplace is more complex (way more than the newspaper days of old) and a trusted partner is now essential. We are a true diagnostic partner.

Ready to see how our 75 years of experience can assist your organization? Get in touch today.