Q&A ~ How do I get my first security clearance?

Q&A with Bill Golden CEO, IntelligenceCareers.com

Question:

I have been trying to find full-time employment with the government for sometime now and have not been successful. It seems that every career fair requires a minimum of a security clearance which I don’t have. I’d like to know how one goes about getting a clearance.

Answer:

Government: find a job within government, almost any job. The government can then sponsor you for a clearance. You cannot get one on your own. Even if the job does not require a clearance then find an open door of some kind. The guru of government jobs is Kathryn Troutman at http://www.resume-place.com/

Industry: Focus on applying to jobs requiring a Secret clearance. If you have strong skills then an employer can often get you a clearance.

Military service: our surveys show that approximately 75% of people within industry got their first security clearance through military service. Getting your first clearance is the hardest one to get.

The career fairs that you are going to are probably defense industry career events. They are looking for folks already possessing a clearance. Finding already cleared workers is a major professional hurdle if you are an employer, or getting a clearance is an almost overwhelming challenge if you are seeking to become a cleared professional worker for the first time.

Best regards,
Bill Golden
CEO, IntelligenceCareers.com
USADefenseIndustryJobs.com
USAJobZoo.com

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