Tell us your career path before you were in TA
Prior to joining PubMatic, I was the Head of Talent Acquisition for a tech start-up based out of Southeast Asia, where I helped scale teams from the ground up in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Before that, I spent nearly 13 years in agency recruitment, starting back in 2008.
I’ve always gravitated toward the delivery side of recruitment—building strong relationships and creating great experiences for both candidates and clients. The move into an internal, strategic TA role felt like a natural evolution, and it was a path I knew I wanted to take to make a deeper impact within a single business.
From your personal experience what's the best thing about being in talent acquisition?
One of the best things about being in talent acquisition is the unique opportunity to directly influence the growth and success of both individuals and organizations.
What makes it even more rewarding is the strategic impact we have. We’re not just filling roles—we’re shaping teams, building culture, and partnering with business leaders to future-proof the organization. Every hire has a ripple effect, from team dynamics to innovation to long-term business objectives.
I also love that talent acquisition sits at the intersection of people, data, and strategy. It requires a deep understanding of human potential, evolving market trends, and the ability to bring together insights and instinct to make decisions that matter.
Perhaps most of all, being in talent acquisition means you're constantly learning from different industries, roles, cultures, and people. No two days are ever the same, and there’s a genuine sense of purpose in knowing that your work contributes to someone else’s success story. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility, and that’s what makes the field so meaningful to me.
Since you've been in TA, how have you seen it change?
TA has seen an exciting technological upgrade, there are so many powerful tools now that make our work more efficient, data-informed, and scalable. From AI-driven sourcing platforms to automated CRM systems, the tech stack has truly evolved and changed the way we work day to day.
Beyond technology, there’s been a clear shift in the expectations placed on TA professionals. It's no longer just about filling roles quickly. It’s about being a true strategic partner to the business. As candidate networks have deepened and widened, we're expected to bring a more comprehensive skill set to the table, including strong sourcing across multiple channels, employer branding, DE&I strategy, and workforce planning.
There's also more focus now on candidate experience, personalization, and long-term talent engagement. One of the biggest changes I've noticed is the increasing importance of storytelling. Being able to paint a compelling picture of the company’s culture, mission, and growth story really makes a difference in today’s talent market.
How do you see AI impacting the future of talent acquisition?
AI is already reshaping the future of talent acquisition and will continue to play an increasingly transformative role across the entire recruitment lifecycle. At its core, AI helps streamline repetitive, manual tasks; like CV screening, interview scheduling, and candidate communication. This enables recruiters to focus more on strategic, value-added work such as relationship-building, employer branding, and diversity hiring.
AI will also play a key role in workforce planning, helping organizations anticipate future talent gaps based on business trends and internal capability mapping.
That being said, the human touch remains essential. While AI can augment decision-making, it can’t replace the emotional intelligence, intuition, and cultural judgment that experienced talent professionals bring.
The best results will come from a hybrid approach, using AI to empower recruiters, not replace them. Ultimately, AI offers us the opportunity to make talent acquisition more efficient, predictive, and candidate-centric, while allowing professionals more time to do the work that truly matters.
What advice would you give to job seekers today?
Do the basics really well!
Refine your CV, tailor it for each application, and make sure it clearly tells your story. Highlight your impact, not just responsibilities. Keep your LinkedIn profile sharp and active—it’s often your first impression.
And honestly, network, network, network. So many opportunities come through connections, referrals, and conversations with people in your industry. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a virtual coffee or to ask questions, you’d be surprised how willing people are to help.
Also, get clear on what you're looking for—what motivates you, what kind of environment you thrive in, and what your non-negotiables are. That clarity not only helps you target the right roles, but also allows you to interview with more confidence.
Most importantly, keep at it. Job searching can be tough, and it’s easy to feel discouraged at times, but persistence truly pays off.
Tell us a little about the company you hire for and what makes it so great?
From a product perspective, PubMatic has built a powerful global infrastructure that enables real-time, data-driven advertising across display, video, mobile, and CTV. It’s known for innovation in transparency, supply path optimization (SPO), and identity solutions – all critical in today’s evolving privacy landscape. This positions PubMatic as a trusted partner to major publishers and brand marketers alike.
But what really makes PubMatic great is its people and the culture of ownership, collaboration, and customer-obsession. Even as a global tech company, it has maintained a highly entrepreneurial spirit, where individuals are empowered to drive impact.
Dave Gittings, Talent Acquisition Manager - EMEA & APAC at Pubmatic