Vault’s Verdict

Easy street

CGI insiders describe their company as a "fairly relaxed" place to work: "The culture here at CGI is business casual with regard to office atmosphere, not exclusively the dress," says one source.  Indeed, the relaxed concept appears to apply to everything from flexible scheduling, when possible, to a collaborative culture.  "There is an understanding that people are expected to deliver and contribute to their projects, but at the same time people are relaxed, friendly and helpful," a consultant states.

The only time the firm's employees seem to stiffen up, in fact, is when there are clients around.  Not only does dress code switch to "business/tie at the client site," but the culture "can be intense about meeting some client deadlines."

"If you do not like IT consulting, then CGI is not the place for you"

As the header suggests, those thinking of applying to CGI need to be aware that the firm expects a high level of technical knowledge in all positions.  Further, one insider has the following counsel for job seekers: "Do not take a job here thinking that a nontechnical role will be strictly business processes/operations-oriented, because it is not."  While that may suggest something of a dependence on people with technical rather than "soft" skills, sources say "most co-workers are a pleasure to be around during work and after work hours."  It also means that the firm is "not too hierarchical, as employees are usually respected more for functional and technical expertise than for their title."

That outlook is perhaps a result of the fact that some employees believe there is "relatively low career development" at CGI.  On the promotions front, insiders report that "if they come, they seem to come around the six- or seven-year mark," albeit "with exceptions."  Those exceptions are perhaps why one employee describes the promotions process as "fluid and flexible," pointing out that "some people get promoted from consultant to senior consultant in three years, while others can take 10 years."  In short, CGI isn't an up-or-out kind of place.  And even when the "ups" do come around, we’re told they "do not necessarily come with raises."

Maybe you’ll get lucky

CGI seems to be similarly reluctant to dole out either training or mentoring to its employees. "There is no formal mentoring program after the employees first few weeks, and the training is limited, though CBT training is plentiful," one staffer reports. According to a consultant in New York, at least part of that is down to the individual managers: "Certain managers are great to work for and are great mentors, while other managers are just there because they are old timers within the company but have very little leadership and decision-making skills."

A tough balancing act

As with most consulting firms, working hours vary "depending on the project," which of course is another way of saying they depend on the demands of the client.  "If you end up working on a large engagement on a client site," says one source, "there will be virtually no work/life balance since you will be asked to work long hours."  Not only that, but "more than likely you'll end up losing your vacation time."

Still, for the average CGI consultant, work/life balance is constantly in flux, with one source perhaps summing it up best with this description: "Overall, I am able to balance work and life.  I have been able to be a volunteer coach the past few years.  Most years, I was able to make practice once a week.  One year, though, when I was on a project with a demanding client and a strict deadline, I didn't make practice as often as I'd like."

Similarly, the need to travel "very much depends on the project that your are on," as well as "your experience level."  An insider points out that "for many projects that have long term engagement with clients, CGI has a permanent presence on site."  That’s good news if that site happens to be near your home base, not so good if it's in a different state.

Keeping accounts

The firm expects its consultants to stay billable, and doesn't seem to tolerate slackness.  "The only time I'm not billable is when I take vacation/personal time off," says one consultant.  "CGI does not believe in having employees on the bench.  If you're benched, you're given two weeks to find a new assignment within CGI.  If you don't find one, you will be let go."

Sources tell us that the company is similarly mercenary when it comes to bonus payments.  While the general perception is that "compensation is fair and within the market," respondents say "CGI does not give signing bonuses," although there are occasional exceptions for "some new college hires."  And, apart from 401(k) matching and a stock purchase program, CGIers don't report much in the way of extra benefits.  "There's supposed to be a profit-sharing program," says one, "but most employees have never received a penny from it."

On the diversity front, meanwhile, CGI employees don't say much, but what they do say is generally positive.  Apparently, "CGI does as excellent job of promoting women into leadership roles," a fact verified by an insider who reports that "there are a large number of women at the team lead, manager and director levels."  Not so hot, however, is that "there aren't many women at the VP level," while "there are no women on CGI's board of directors."  A consultant in New York, meanwhile, believes that "most minorities [at CGI] are of Asian descent.

Hoping reputation will speak for itself

CGI consultants seem to be relatively upbeat about the future, especially in the public-sector realm.  Says one respondent, "Among public-sector clients, CGI has a decent outlook.  However, due to the current financial state of the economy, there are very few private-sector clients left on CGI's roster."  As for broadening its prospects in the future, we’re told the firm relies on the quality of its brand to drive further business. "CGI does not do extensive advertising, but rather relies on the quality of its work to win new contracts and renew existing ones."  Let’s hope for the best!