Many employers chasing Gen Z talent have loosened hiring standards. HX5 has taken a different route. Margarita Howard, the defense contractor’s sole owner, CEO, and president, says prior work with federal agencies remains the strongest credential a candidate can bring.

“We prefer to hire experienced individuals, so we look for people that have worked with, or supported, NASA or the Department of Defense, as this experience is always very helpful,” she said. She added that this kind of background “is very different from experience gained working in the commercial world.”

A Highly Educated Workforce

Most HX5 employees hold college degrees, according to Howard, and members of the management team frequently have advanced degrees. She noted that women make up the majority of that leadership group, describing them as “all very experienced in their respective areas.”

The company, a service-disabled veteran and women-owned business, employs more than 1,000 people across 34 states and 90 government locations. It provides STEM support services to NASA and the Department of Defense.

Hiring Against a Thin Talent Pool

Prioritizing experience makes recruiting harder. National Defense Magazine reported that 82% of companies in the defense industrial base struggle to find qualified STEM workers. ManpowerGroup’s 2024 research found that 71% of U.S. employers have trouble finding skilled talent.

Some HX5 roles call for a rare mix of technical knowledge, clearance eligibility, and specialized expertise. Candidates who meet all three requirements are scarce, and commercial technology companies compete for many of the same people with higher pay and quicker start dates.

Security clearances add another layer. The review process can take months or years, so a candidate who already holds a clearance from previous federal work is especially valuable to a contractor like HX5. That reality helps explain why Margarita Howard leans so heavily on government experience.

Margarita Howard has not abandoned efforts to appeal to younger professionals. The company has introduced hybrid work where possible and modernized its communication tools. Experience, however, still carries the most weight when HX5 decides whom to bring aboard. Read this article for more information.

Learn more about Margarita Howard on https://homebusinessmag.com/success-stories-lifestyles/defense-contractors-margarita-howard-adapts-gen-z-amid-competition-stem-talent/