"Cognitive have been our most successful recruiting partner in our pursuit for the top 10% of Microsoft consultants - attracting qualified, high caliber resource. They have been very effective in understanding what makes a Hitachi consultant"
- Steve French, CEO Hitachi Solutions
For more than 10 years, Cognitive Group has partnered with Hitachi Solutions Europe to recruit highly skilled Microsoft professionals across permanent and contract roles. During that time, we've delivered more than 900 successful placements, supported hiring across five European countries, and helped grow their Microsoft practice from 40 to more than 400 employees.
As a long-term Microsoft recruitment partner, we've supported hiring across Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Azure, Data & AI, Cloud, and leadership functions, becoming an extension of Hitachi Solutions' internal talent team.
Successful Partnership
For over a decade, Cognitive Group has worked alongside Hitachi Solutions Europe to support the growth of one of Europe's leading Microsoft consultancies.
Rather than acting as an external supplier, we became an extension of their internal recruitment function, helping them attract experienced Microsoft professionals across permanent and interim positions.
Over the course of the partnership, we've:
- Delivered more than 900 Microsoft placements
- Supported hiring across five European countries
- Helped grow the Microsoft practice from 40 to more than 400 employees
- Recruited across sales, presales, architecture, consulting, program management, change management, finance, operations and leadership
- Built specialist teams across Azure, Data & AI, Cloud, Dynamics 365, Power Platform and User-Centered Design (UCD)
Our Approach
Successful recruitment partnerships go beyond filling vacancies.
Throughout our partnership with Hitachi Solutions, our consultants worked closely with hiring managers and leadership teams, regularly spending time on-site to understand the company culture, hiring priorities and long-term growth plans.
This close collaboration enabled us to identify candidates who not only had the right Microsoft technical expertise but also aligned with Hitachi Solutions' culture and values.
Alongside recruitment, we also provided additional support by:
- Building Azure, Data & AI hiring capability
- Conducting recorded video screenings to reduce interview time
- Managing candidate security checks
- Training interviewers to improve recruitment outcomes
- Supporting employer branding and recruitment marketing initiatives
Delivering Results During Challenging Market Conditions
One of the strongest examples of the partnership came during the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite significant uncertainty across the technology recruitment market, Hitachi Solutions achieved:
- 9% employee attrition, significantly below the industry average of 23%
- 7% business growth
- A net workforce increase of 28 employees
By maintaining a consistent pipeline of high-quality Microsoft professionals throughout this period, Cognitive Group helped ensure business growth continued while many organizations struggled to recruit and retain specialist talent.
The team have put a lot of time and effort into building the relationship; understanding our people and culture which has really helped by saving us time.
