Booz Allen Hamilton Reviews in Arlington, VA

Pros

They value my contributions to the client. Benefits package is top notch.

Cons

Too many mandatory training classes. Little understanding of their raise and bonus system.

Advice to Senior Management

Fix you internet based people systems. For a company that prides it's IT capabilities, your people assessment, expense filing and finding required information is cumbersome and counter intuitive.

Pros

Staff is highly motivated and competent.

Cons

Lack of business focus if you aren't in the mainstream. Top performers are not acknowledged.

Pros

Will gain skills/experience in federal consulting/consulting which can translate to numerous other consulting firms

Great work/life balance

Annual profit sharing bonus of 10% your salary

Cons

Company is publicly traded and therefore much more rigid than other privately held firms in the industry (especially given the reduction in gov't spending)

Company does not have a large commercial sector business, therefore it is hard to move into it

Career mobility is limited. The firm advertises career mobility but it is a sham. Once you get past a year in a given discipline it is difficult to move around and career management does not do much to assist

Company takes on any contract therefore you could get "stuck" on a staff augmentation type contract where the experience is low quality

Pros

There were lots of opportunities for personal growth (training and certifications), and I got the impression that people were satisfied with their jobs.

Cons

I ended up doing uncompensated overtime on several occasions, and I get the impression that can be a normal thing.

Pros

Still good team chemistry in a lot of places
They have interesting Tech Focus Group presentations that everyone can attend
Most immediate managers I've seen are pretty good

Cons

To get ahead, you have to be one of the in-crowd, and its largely something you can't change through your performance. You have to be liked by senior management.
Management very eager to pull the trigger on layoffs right now. If you think you might get caught without a project, you better float your resume out on the web ASAP.
There is an internal bias against picking up people from inside the firm for new positions which only puts ppl further at risk of layoff (easier and cheaper just to hire someone new than go to through career mobility).

Advice to Senior Management

Talk to junior staff and realize how vulnerable they feel with all of the changes that are going on. Many of them are ready to leave and you have so alienated them through the actions that you've taken, it's going to be hard to retain a lot of the best people. I agree with what another reviewer said about buying back the firm. We have spriraled down bad after the split and then Carlyle taking us public thing.

Pros

Salary is extremely competetive.
Work/Life balance is encouraged.
Intelligence of co-workers.
I work on interesting and stimulating topics.

Cons

Constant reorganization of business structure.
Office management is lacking.
Contracting issues can arise.
Work flow fluctuation.

Advice to Senior Management

At offices with multiple teams, make the printers the responsibility not of teams but of the office management.

Pros

Positive place to learn and grow. Very professional, hard working, client focused organization.

Cons

A few pinheads. Otherwise, most folks are great.

Pros

Excellent benefits,competent management, clear outline for promotions. Very competetive pay, with options to increase pay and decrease benefit enrollments. Excellent work from home options.

Cons

High utilization targets for client side staff. Minimal seating for staff awaiting client assignment. Indoc is 4 days long and can seem inappropriate for all staff members.

Advice to Senior Management

Review current indoctrination timeframe. 4 days is a little too much while not covering enough information about benefits. Incorporate office space arragements during indoctrination.

Pros

Booz Allen Hamilton is an excellent government and technology consulting firm. The firm is growing and will continue to hire through the next couple of years.

Cons

There are too many individuals allowed to perform at mediocre levels. The company will promote until until the Level III position, even if the employee is not meeting all the required competencies.

Advice to Senior Management

I would advise management to provide more praise to individuals who are outperforming. Moreover, I would ask management to work more closely with the 'B' players.

Pros

Great 401K plan
Quality training internal and external
competitive benefits

Cons

chance for advancement are not transparent
no bonus

Advice to Senior Management

promote from within BAH