What level of a position are you trying to get?

I've been with government contractors for years - NG, SAIC, and now a small consulting firm for 5 years. Never had issues.

Many positions with these companies just require that you are clearable, not already have a clearance. Are you clearable? Would the government have reason to deny you an interim secret clearance (drug use in the past 7 years or other red flags)?

I would imagine it is certainly harder right now. But companies like BAH, TCG, SAIC, CSC are hiring. From my experience working on proposals in the past year or so, these companies are really under bidding their proposals so they are forced to hire more junior people to stay under the ceiling.

I depends on your level and what you bring to them. At the higher levels they expect you to bring in other key staff and to have experience with specific programs/managers. At the mid-levels, they may only be looking for experience with a very specific piece of software or federal platform (in other words, you're a former fed or are coming from another contractor). Some positions require you to have an active security clearance before they will hire you.

Bigger picture, the federal contracting sector is bracing for a hit (sequestration) and a slog (years of declining overall federal spending to contractors reversing the long term trend). Companies are generally reluctant to hire right now and are no longer building up their staff in anticipation of coming work.

All that said, federal contracting is a big business and there are thousands of jobs to be filled. Good luck!

I've been trying to get a job with a federal contractor like booz allen, saic, for a long time. It seems impossible to get in these places. DC seems to be mostly federal jobs or working for a contractor and most contractor jobs want a clearance. Any thoughts on getting in with the big contractors?