CGI Group

What is CGI Group, and why should you care? Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, CGI Group Inc is a leading provider of management consulting services. Founded in 1976, CGI has a long history of helping organizations in both the public and private sectors to achieve their strategic objectives. Today, CGI Group is one of the largest management consulting firms in the world, with over 80,000 employees in more than 40 countries. Its global team of experts provides a wide range of services, including strategy and operations consulting, digital transformation, technology consulting, and business process outsourcing.

While the firm works with clients across all industries and sectors, CGI Group has a strong focus on the public sector and works with government at all levels, from small municipalities to large federal agencies. Notable private sector clients include Ford Motor Company, General Electric, and HSBC Holdings. In short, whether a business is looking to streamline operations or transform the company for the digital age, CGI can help. But is the firm the right place for you to begin or continue a consulting career? Let’s find out!

Table of Contents

1. CGI Group Key Stats
2. CGI Group History
3. CGI Group Careers
4. CGI Group Internship
5. Practice Areas
6. Industries
7. CGI Group Locations
8. Career Path
9. Exit Opportunities
10. Target Schools
11. Diversity Programs
12. CGI Group Culture
13. CGI Group Interview
14. CGI Group Salary

CGI Group Key Stats

• CGI Group Website: CGI.com
• CGI Group Headquarters: Montreal, Québec, Canada
• CGI Group Number of Employees: 88,000 (May 2022)
• CGI Group Number of Locations: Approximately 400
• CGI Group Chief Executive: George D. Schindler
• CGI Group Revenue: $12 Billion

CGI Group History

The CGI Group was founded in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. The company went public in 1986 and now has over 88,000 employees in 400 offices across 40 countries. The company has been recognized as one of the world’s leading information technology and business process services providers. In 2017, Fortune magazine ranked CGI #368 on its list of the 500 largest companies in the world. The company was included on Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for four consecutive years (2014-2017). The CGI Group’s history is decorated and full of major successes, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing growth; the company’s future appears bright.

CGI Group Careers

CGI Group offers a wide range of career opportunities for students and established professionals. The firm offers a unique mix of CGI Group careers for those interested in management consulting, including positions in business strategy, operations, finance, and human resources. In addition, CGI also offers positions in IT consulting, project management, and change management. With its focus on providing top-quality consulting services, CGI is an excellent choice for both students looking to break into consulting and established professionals looking for leadership positions at a new firm.

CGI Group Internship

Every year, CGI Group takes on a select few interns to join its team. These interns are given the opportunity to work on real projects with clients, receive mentorship from top consultants, and attend exclusive events. In addition, interns are all but guaranteed a full-time offer to return, which makes The CGI Group internships highly competitive. In short, an internship offers an unbeatable experience for those lucky enough to land one. If you’re interested in a career in management consulting, the CGI Inc internship is the perfect way to get your foot in the door. Search here or on your campus for opportunities with CGI Group.

Practice Areas

CGI has a team of experienced consultants who work with clients to help them achieve their business goals across a wide range of functional areas. The CGI Group practice areas include strategy, operations, finance, and IT consulting. The Group breaks down its offer into services, such as: business consulting, systems integration, managed IT, and business process services. It also works with clients in particular focus areas, such as: digital transformation, analytics, intelligent automation, cloud and IT modernization, cybersecurity, and sustainability.

The firm has a global presence and works with clients in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Industries

CGI Inc is a management consulting firm that provides services to businesses in a wide variety of industries. GCI Group industries of focus include Banking & Financial Markets, Communications, Consumer Markets, Energy & Resources, Government, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Retail & Consumer Products and Transportation & Infrastructure.

As we’ve already mentioned, however, the firm’s largest industry of focus is Government, and its largest functional area of focus is digital transformation, so if you’re not interested in being staffed on longer-term projects in these areas, CGI Group may not be for you. In addition, it’s important to understand that this type of work can mean that on some projects, you’ll be embedded inside of a client organization for up to a year. This can lead to deep subject matter expertise but narrower client, functional, and industry exposure.

CGI Group Locations

There are around 400 global CGI group locations. Here are some of the most notable office locations.

• • CGI group Inc Vancouver
  • CGI group Houston
  • CGI group Canada
  • CGI group Fairfax VA
  • CGI group Lafayette LA
  • CGI group Chicago
  • CGI group Montreal
  • CGI group Toronto
  • CGI group UK
  • CGI group Chennai
  • CGI group NYC

Career Path

The typical CGI consultant starts their career in a particular practice area. They then can work on a variety of projects across industries and geographies. As they gain experience, they take on greater responsibility and are given the chance to lead teams of their own. The best consultants eventually rise to partner level, where they help set the direction of the firm and shape the careers of the next generation of leaders. While there is no singular CGI group career path, this is the general path forward for those who stick with the company. Typically, it takes 8-10 years to rise to partner.

An annual career development planning process gives employees an opportunity to share their vision with a manager and discuss how to position themselves for advancement towards their unique career goals. CGI Group does not employ an ‘up or out’ model, which leads to a more flexible promotion pathway (you’re promoted when you’re ready. In addition, this does lead to a generally more collaborative environment, as employees don’t feel the need to benchmark themselves against their peers. Your career development plan is continuously updated based on evolving career objectives, and of course CGI’s business needs.

Exit Opportunities

The CGI Group exit opportunities are numerous. Many of CGI’s consultants leave the firm to pursue careers in other industries, such as technology, healthcare, the public sector, and financial services. Some start their own companies, while others go into teaching or academia. Still others leave to pursue an MBA or other advanced degree.

Target Schools

These GGI Group target schools are among the most represented among CGI employees.

• • George Mason University
  • McGill University
  • Concordia University
  • University of Toronto

However, CGI consultants come from top colleges and universities across the target markets in which the firm has office locations.

Diversity Programs

The largest of the CGI Group diversity programs is the Member Resource Group (MRG) initiative. MRGs are employee-led groups of people from similar affinity groups, be it ethnicity, sexual orientation, or something else. These groups empower employees to grow personal and professional relationships with people within their MRG.

CGI Group Culture

The CGI Group culture is one that is focused on teamwork, client service, and professional development. Since teamwork is a primary focus, employees are encouraged to work together to solve problems and find innovative solutions (again, this is where the absence of an ‘up or out’ model can be helpful). In addition, since CGI Group engagements are longer than typical MBB engagements, consultants get more time ‘in the trenches’ with the same project team. In emphasizing the importance of client service, employees are expected to be responsive to client needs and deliver high-quality work. To foster professional development and employee retention, employees are encouraged to pursue advanced degrees and certifications, as well as the variety of training and development programs CGI Group offers.

CGI Group Interview

The CGI group interview is designed to assess a few main attributes: Are you collaborative, analytical, structured, and able to think strategically? If so, you’ll shine in both the individual case interview, behavioral interviews, and the group interview, which will give you the opportunity to work with other candidates to solve a business problem. You’ll be assessed on your ability to influence without formal authority, keep the team moving forward, and communicate effectively. If you’re successful in the group interview, you can expect an offer or, in some cases, a final round interview that’s part case and part behavioral. For more senior roles, you may be asked to go to dinner with folks from your office as the final step of your interview process.

CGI Group Salary

The CGI Group salary average for consultants, including bonuses, is $141,257 (https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/CGI-Consultant-Salaries-E8452_D_KO4,14.htm). However, this is going to vary widely based on your role, location, experience, etc. In general, CGI Group salaries are considerably lower than their MBB and Big 4 counterparts.

Conclusion

CGI Group is a global firm with great culture and a world-class client list. The firm is an excellent choice for consultants interested in a firm with global reach that can offer broad industry exposure. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, from strategy and operations to technology and change management. CGI Consulting Group has a strong commitment to social responsibility, and its employees are highly sought-after for their skills and experience. With a history of successful projects and clients, CGI is a well-respected name in the industry, and is an excellent place to launch or further a consulting career.

Additional Resources

• Top 25 Consulting Firms
• Boutique Consulting Firms
• Consulting Resume: Complete Guide
• Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide