Cheezhead Recruiting News and Opinion

It was another black Friday for at least one more recruitment-related company. NAS Recruitment Communications apparently cut overhead last week. Included will be the shutting down of nine local offices in February. (The company currently has “over 30″ according to its Web site.) Losses are said to be in the 25-person range, including five VPs. The company has roughly 120 employees.

One significant loss at the VP level, although apparently not part of the layoffs, included Ryan Estis. Stationed in Minneapolis, Estis is a long-timer in the organization (about 10 years) and was widely regarded as the heir-apparent to the company’s current top brass. A staple at national SHRM events, Estis will leave the company to pursue other goals a little less related to recruiting. One source said he aspires to be a sales expert in the tradition of Zig Ziglar.

“I have decided to depart NAS and pursue other opportunities that initially will focus on expanding my speaking / training platform,” said Estis. “NAS has evolved its employment branding and recruitment communications portfolio into a leadership position in our space. I am very proud to have been a catalyst in this evolution as NAS’ Chief Talent Strategist, leading a team of very talented individuals that are still in place and will continue to positively impact our industry. I will still provide some consulting oversight as I pursue the next chapter in my career that closely aligns with my passion and strengths.”

Ryan Estis Video (2007)

Aside from Estis leaving, a source said the layoffs had everything to do with the current economy.

“You have employers who spent $1 million last year,” shared our source. “Now, that same company is spending zero. It had nothing to do with our level of service or product. Employers are just shutting it down right now and casualties are going to continue to happen until things turn around.”

It is also believed that closing down a few brick-and-mortar offices made a lot of sense in today’s super-connected world. Face-to-face meetings and customer hand-holding aren’t as important as they used to be, said our source, particularly when weighing the necessary investment to do so.

UPDATE (1.26.09; noon ET): Offices closing, although not comfirmed, are said to include Detroit, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Seattle, Jacksonville, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Phoenix and St. Louis.

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