Booz Allen Hamilton has an ongoing demand for IT talent

www.boozallen.com/careers

Headquarters: McLean, VA

Employees: 20,000

Revenues: More than $4 billion in 2008

Business: Technology and strategy consulting firm



“I’m not participating in the current recession,” reads a popular lapel button. It could also be the slogan for Booz Allen Hamilton (McLean, VA).

For more than a decade, Booz Allen’s U.S. government business has enjoyed double-digit growth, no matter what is happening with the economy. In January, Fortune magazine ranked the company fifty-second in its 2009 list of the 100 best companies to work for.

Booz Allen Hamilton is a consulting firm that offers a wide host of information technology and other types of services that are strategic to its clients’ missions. Its IT practice employs a broad range of technical disciplines. The company has supported nearly all of the major departments and agencies in the U.S. Federal government.

“We have an ongoing demand for talent,” says Pamela Hardy, diversity recruiting lead. “Our sense is that this demand will continue to grow. Our business is driven by the government and we’re going full-steam ahead.”

The company hired 5,000 new employees in 2008, bringing its employee base to approximately 20,000. That same year annual revenues topped $4 billion for the services it offers in strategy, operations, organization and change, information technology, systems engineering and program management.

There’s good news for IT professionals looking for jobs in this tough economy. Booz Allen will be hiring talent at all levels throughout 2009. According to Hardy, hiring managers are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in three key areas.

“We have the highest need for software engineers,” she says. “Infrastructure and networking skills rank second. Our third area of interest is security, candidates with Internet or information security and cyberware skills.” On a smaller scale, systems engineers with broader backgrounds and a business flair are sought for requirements analysis opportunities. Quality assurance skills are also of interest.

“We definitely look for individuals with an understanding of software development,” Hardy adds. “That’s the biggest piece.” Biometrics, cyber security and dot.net developers are a particular focus.



Internally, Booz Allen offers employee support and affinity group forums for African Americans, Native Americans, women, people with disabilities and others. There’s even a group for younger employees called the “junior exempt employees forum,” which hosts a variety of events, learning sessions and networking opportunities.

“We have both formal and informal mentoring programs, and the majority of our employees participate,” adds Jennifer Lucas, a company spokesperson. She explains that the company launched mentor match in 2008, a site that allows employees to search for potential mentors and mentees online, based on individual needs.

The company’s mentoring circles program offers employees an opportunity to meet in small groups for two hours once a month over six to eight months. In its leadership connection program employees get to engage in small group conversation with senior leaders on relevant career topics. This event targets experienced associates.

Hardy says that employees can also participate in a day that is designated for the mentoring of a specific group. “We partner with the Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org) and other organizations. We discuss resume writing, accommodations and acceptable questions to ask an employer.”

If you’re ready for what’s next in your career, visit www.boozallen.com/careers and create a profile, then submit it to reference number 01072436. For more information, e-mail diversityrecruiting@bah.com.