Cuong Nguyen

Partner - Digital & Technology

• 0412 385 450
• 1300 002 572
• cuong@alra.com.au

Experience

As a specialist in Cloud & Security, Cuong brings with him over 10 years recruitment experience in the Infrastructure & Security space and has successfully placed with and influenced the recruitment strategies of companies such as IBM, Accenture, Avanade, Infosys, NRI, NAB, ANZ, AGL, Afterpay, BOM(Bureau of Meteorology) and Tabcorp.

The main tale.

Growing up in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne and participating as an alter boy in his primary school, Cuong learnt the value of self-discipline and hard work from an early age. This self-discipline is something he has continued into his adult life, applying it not just to his work ethic but also moving solo to Thailand to learn to become a Muay Thai fighter at the age of 34.

Deciding to take this “leap of faith” was no easy task for Cuong, but after significant life event that affected some of his core beliefs, he realised that sometimes you have to do the things no one else is doing, take a risk and place yourself out of your comfort zone to truly grow.

He brings this discipline, energy & curiosity to his recruitment philosophy believing that to make the perfect match between a candidate & company you have to deep dive into not just their combined needs, but also genuinely understand their motivations & support what both parties are seeking for the future.

A future focus is what led Cuong to joining ALRA as the achievements individuals & the team have made aligns with his own personal vision – “if I want to be successful, I have to surround myself with successful people.”

Stories for another time…

• Being able to eat an entire durian by himself in one sitting.
• The story of his Muay Thai training & the adventures along the way.
• Despite being health focused, his dislike of running.

Aaron Matrljan

Partner - Cyber Security & Accounting

• 0405 100 650
• 1300 002 572
• aaron@alra.com.au

Experience

Aaron has over 20 years’ recruitment experience placing candidates in the Cyber Security, Legal, Engineering and Valuations sectors but possessing a speciality in Business Services and Insolvency for Accounting firms & Cyber Security in IT. He has worked with Big 4’s all the way through to small suburban firms both in Australia & overseas.

The Main Tale:

Born in North Sydney with most of his extended family living close by, Aaron grew up with a connection to family – something that has always been of huge importance to him. His early childhood was fuelled by sport (he’s half Croatian after all), books, music and film with the family regularly visiting the cinema.

Working in a fruit market through university prior to entering the recruitment world shaped large parts of Aaron’s perspective as the people “were some of the hardest workers I’ve met to this day. They’re on their feet all day; work long hours, six days a week for very little pay.” Taking the time to get to know his colleagues he heard many interesting stories from varied walks of life including immigrants who’d left hard circumstances along with prisoners on day release. These stories act as a reminder to never judge someone without understanding where they come from.

Meeting his wife at a young age, they spent much of their twenties travelling but Aaron credits the most formative moment of his life to his wife battling breast cancer in their thirties. This taught Aaron that “things can change very suddenly. It gave me a sense of urgency that improved every facet of my life – health, spirituality, family and of course my work.” 

This was a huge part of what led Aaron to join ALRA stating “I joined ALRA because of Brett’s vision. For him the business isn’t about the work as much as building something great for everyone. He wanted my help and input. I told myself I’d stay as long as it continued to be exciting, and I could have an impact – I’m still here.”

  

Stories for another time…

Ask him about…

• His encyclopaedia-like knowledge of sport (particularly Basketball).
• What’s “grinding his gears” (ask him if you want a guaranteed chuckle).
• His incredible technique for holding together the structural integrity of a soft-shelled taco.