We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.
Matt is our featured employee for September! We love Matt for a lot of reasons, but his dedication to building relationships and willingness to get involved in internal projects are some of our favorite qualities. He’s always willing to provide valuable industry insight, and we are so grateful for his knowledge and experience.
What do you love most about working at Brightwing?
I love the people and the energy they bring with them every day. There’s a common interest in doing whatever it takes to help our clients, our candidates, and each other be successful.
What 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?
- Authenticity
- Persistence
- A genuine interest in helping others
How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?
The organization does a great job of encouraging both personal and professional growth. We are constantly forced out of our comfort zones, yet there is an incredible amount of support and guidance from the leadership team along the way.
What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?
Be patient and be consistent. This industry is full of ups and downs, but if you build good habits and fill your day with quality conversations, success will follow.
What is your funniest memory of your time so far at Brightwing?
Tough question . . . I think Adam Stern showing up for the Christmas party in the Elf costume is up there.
Tell me about one of the biggest career challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame it.
I would say the toughest time for me, like so many others, came in 2008. I had joined Brightwing right before the recession and as rumors started to swirl about the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies. Nobody knew what to expect and even as a new employee, I could see there were real concerns about the long-term viability of not only this business, but the industry in general.
Fortunately, I was able to lend my services to our Texas team remotely and support several major clients down there—companies that were seemingly recession-proof. We certainly had some challenges with one of those clients, but along with another colleague in the Michigan office we were able to really establish a true partnership including weekly governance calls, scheduled candidate feedback, and pinning down top priorities. It took some out-of-the-box sourcing, constant communication, and me begging for referrals, but we made a lot of placements in their strategic planning group.
What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of work?
I love to golf, even though I’m not a “golfer”. I like to think I get good value—paying way less per swing . . .
What 3 words best describe you?
Genuine, Hardworking, Listener
What motivates you?
The success of the team.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
The Great Barrier Reef.
Fun fact:
I am on a seemingly never-ending quest to fine chicken wings better than Sweetwaters. I haven’t come close but am ALWAYS open to suggestions!