security clearance for government contractor

[Anonymous]

New to this, but I am applying to a job where a "secret" clearance is required. I've already researched what that entails, so my question for those familiar with hiring in these cases is whether not having any clearance at the time of the application is a signficant negative. I understand I can't apply for clearance without a job offer, so it's a bit chicken and egg, but never having worked in this industry before, I'm wondering if lack of any prior clearance will get my application dumped in a no action pile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New to this, but I am applying to a job where a "secret" clearance is required. I've already researched what that entails, so my question for those familiar with hiring in these cases is whether not having any clearance at the time of the application is a signficant negative. I understand I can't apply for clearance without a job offer, so it's a bit chicken and egg, but never having worked in this industry before, I'm wondering if lack of any prior clearance will get my application dumped in a no action pile.

If you have a clean record , no financial problems and no mental issues you can get an interim and should be ok

[Anonymous]

Though most contract agencies want someone who is already cleared. The process from hire to getting cleared can be a long time where the new hire can't do billable work. In DH company, they only hire non-cleared people who have very specific qualifications.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to this, but I am applying to a job where a "secret" clearance is required. I've already researched what that entails, so my question for those familiar with hiring in these cases is whether not having any clearance at the time of the application is a signficant negative. I understand I can't apply for clearance without a job offer, so it's a bit chicken and egg, but never having worked in this industry before, I'm wondering if lack of any prior clearance will get my application dumped in a no action pile.

If you have a clean record , no financial problems and no mental issues you can get an interim and should be ok

With a clean record you don't need to worry about eventually being granted a clearance. But an employer would rather not pay for the process if they can just hire someone who already has a clearance. Not having one definitely makes you a less attractive candidate.

[Anonymous]

most government contractors will pay for you clearance. If you have debt, as long as you worked out a planment plan, you can get a clearance. I know someone that use to be a drug addict, and now they have a top secret clearance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Though most contract agencies want someone who is already cleared. The process from hire to getting cleared can be a long time where the new hire can't do billable work. In DH company, they only hire non-cleared people who have very specific qualifications.

Good luck!

This is probably the best answer. Unless it's a contingent hire position, most days companies are hiring because they have an immediate need to fill a position. They don't have a year to wait to get you through the clearance process. And, as PP mentioned, it's expensive to sponsor a clearance. In this era of tight budgets, I don't know of companies that are jumping up and down to hire people without clearances already.

If you have a unique skill set and think you'd be of value to the company, it doesn't hurt to apply, though.

[Anonymous]

OP here - many thanks. This helps manage expectations. The position isn't one which would bill out on a contract, I don't have any financial or other issues which might compromise clearance, and at least on paper, I think I have a really good fit to what they're looking for, so it still seems worth applying.

On the timing, it looked to me from my very brief internet research that an interim clearance can come quite quickly with a final clearance at "secret" level taking a couple of months. One PP suggests a year to get the celarance - is this more often the case?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - many thanks. This helps manage expectations. The position isn't one which would bill out on a contract, I don't have any financial or other issues which might compromise clearance, and at least on paper, I think I have a really good fit to what they're looking for, so it still seems worth applying.

On the timing, it looked to me from my very brief internet research that an interim clearance can come quite quickly with a final clearance at "secret" level taking a couple of months. One PP suggests a year to get the celarance - is this more often the case?!

It varies on the length of time to get a clearance depending on the level and how backed up they are. It could take 1-2 years. I'd apply as you have to start somewhere and see what happens. Sometimes you can get sponsored, stay at your current job and then switch after you obtain the clearance.

[Anonymous]

again the requirements to get an interim are no mental issues, no debt issues and no criminal record. You can get the real clearance by waiting longer and having one or more of the above but most contractors won't pay you to wait that period of time.

[Anonymous]

Also, I though the government pays for it? The feds request and sponsor you to get the clearance. There also is a freeze or close to it on most new clearances unless there is a real necessity for that person. That is why already having one is a requirement on applications.

I worked for a company just to get my clearance because they had a contract where the client (gov) would sponsor you if you were on that contract. Although, I doubt they would do that now.

This is part of the decrease in defense contracting. Cutting costs for sponsoring clearances.