Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., with approximately 21,000 professionals worldwide, General Dynamics Information Technology, is one of four business units of the General Dynamics Information Systems and Technology business segment. The company delivers IT enterprise solutions, manages large-scale, mission-critical IT programs and provides mission support services to customers in the defense, federal civilian government and health, homeland security, intelligence, state and local government and commercial sectors. The unit currently has over 2,000 open positions. The biggest needs include information security professionals, IT technicians, help desk specialists, network engineers, systems administrators and intelligence analysts. Candidates should keep in mind that some positions require a federal government or DoD security clearance. Tim Strike, ‎director of recruiting and staffing at General Dynamics Information Technology, gave us a look into GDIT’s hiring practices.

How to Reach Out 

Strike says that GDIT lists upcoming recruiting events and job fairs on its Facebook page. Employee referrals are also a top hiring resource, and Strike mentions that networking with current employees can be a real benefit for a candidate.

How to Navigate a Job Posting

Strike stresses that a substantial number of GDIT’s technology positions require specific certifications to qualify for employment. “Our customers are mandating in their ‘statements of work’ that the candidate prove they have the knowledge to perform the work by possessing a technical certification,” he says. “If a candidate’s background involves specific hardware or software such as Apple, Cisco, Microsoft, UNIX, etc., they should obtain the appropriate certification.” Appropriate certifications are listed under the required skills section of job descriptions. Candidates should list their certifications as a keyword and conduct multiple keyword searches to ensure they have a chance to review all the current jobs that might be of interest to them.

The Interview Process

Because of the complexities of working with government agencies and security-focused industries, the interview process can differ depending on the type and level of the position. Strike does note that in order to support customers’ missions, “it is essential that we remain fully staffed, so we make every effort to maintain a streamlined approach and make decisions effectively and efficiently.”

What Makes a Good Fit?

The work General Dynamics Information Technology preforms is wide-ranging, so Strike says it has a constant demand for a “diverse and inclusive workforce.” That said, a potential employee has to understand who the customers are -- e.g. government, military, intelligence, etc. Viable candidates understand and respect these environments and will be able to bring the knowledge and skills needed to support this particular kind of work.

Advice for Seasoned Professionals

“Make contact with one of our recruiters at a job fair or through a professional or social network,” says Strike. “This personal contact and exchange can help you stand out from the crowd.”

Advice for New Graduates

The company is always looking for new graduates that possess relevant work experience, which can be acquired through internships or military service, among other means. Strike mentions that newbies in high demand are those with, “one or more industry certification, and a United States government security clearance.”