Horace Blackman is the senior vice president of defense, intelligence and space at CGI.
Companies like CGI, nestled into a niche between big tech players and well-funded startups, have to hustle to attract top engineering talent. The market is competitive, and we are aware we can’t always offer candidates some of the things that companies occupying other strata can.
Tech startups, while they may lack longevity in the market, can appeal to job seekers through compensation options like equity stakes, rapid career advancement and a dynamic and agile environment. Larger firms generally offer high salaries and generous bonuses to top talent, and their broad name recognition lends a sense of status to employees. Other benefits to working in larger firms include learning and development opportunities.
However, midrange companies, including CGI, have their own benefits that many talented professionals find appealing, and our talent attraction strategy is based on getting the word out to the kinds of candidates we want to attract.
The short version is, we offer a more mature organizational structure and a longer history in the market than a startup, and more of a personal experience and less bureaucracy than typical large firms. It’s no mystery why CGI overall and many of our regional offices have landed on Best Places to Work lists time and time again.
We partner with agencies across Defense and Intelligence Programs, including Space exploration, to deliver solutions that strengthen force readiness while enabling technology solutions, and we need talented, mission-focused professionals to make it happen. It goes beyond building a career— together we contribute to national security and supporting those who protect our freedom.
The personal factor
CGI emphasizes personalized career development, enabling Partners – our term for our employees – to define their own career paths based on their interests and skills. This individualized approach empowers team members to take ownership of their professional growth, with access to numerous training programs, mentorship opportunities and professional development resources, including key certification programs in emerging technologies.
Many talented professionals have found a long-term home with CGI. Celebrating 10th and even 20th or 30th work anniversaries is common here. Our top-tier professionals, satisfied with their work and the work environment, exemplify our credibility in the marketplace, which is attractive to young professionals looking for a place to build a career.
Finding our people
Having a great work environment is one thing, but making candidates aware of it is another challenge. Our approach to talent acquisition goes beyond merely filling roles. We have built an extremely thorough talent attraction model, strategically targeting the kinds of people we want to bring aboard.
We focus on precision, matching specialized skills to project needs while showcasing CGI’s culture of collaboration and innovation. Through targeted outreach, we connect with professionals in the right geographies and disciplines, so clients have the capabilities they need to succeed.
Meeting the military mission
Many of our Partners have transitioned to civilian life after serving in intelligence organizations, the military or Department of Defense agencies. We support veterans, military spouses and their families through partnerships with organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Salesforce Fellowship Program, Veteran Jobs Mission, Blue Star Families, and American Corporate Partners (ACP).
Our mentors provide personalized guidance to veterans, helping them transition to civilian careers, while our involvement in initiatives such as Operation Care for the Troops, Operation Homefront, and the Wounded Warrior Project underscores our dedication to this community.
Recognized by U.S. Veterans Magazine as one of the ‘Best of the Best’ among veteran-friendly companies, CGI continues to honor current and former servicemen and women by creating opportunities that recognize their unique skills and talents.
Conclusion
Dedicated to helping our federal customers achieve superior mission outcomes, CGI needs to hire the best people to fill the roles in our teams. Competition for talent can be fierce, but we offer an attractive value proposition for new graduates and young professionals seeking a welcoming, nurturing home for career growth.