Individuals who already possess a security clearance maintain a clear and distinct advantage over others when applying for a federal job.  Your unique access becomes a defining feature that markets you exceptionally well. We showcase your security clearance and the undeniable advantage it brings to prepare your resume and KSA/Narrative responses.  Selecting officials and hiring panel members frequently discuss this factor when considering applicants for selection. Possessing a security clearance will routinely be a tie breaker when there are two candidates closely ranked after all interviewing has been completed.

One of the major reasons applicants with security clearances fare so well in their pursuit of federal employment is the greatly reduced timelines that are involved to bring them on for work. This is especially true within the Intelligence and Law Enforcement Communities as most job positions require a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance. The Intelligence Community commonly requires a TOP SECRET SCI clearance and many employees have a host of additional, more sensitive access read ons. With this considered, the bottom line for applicants is that one who is already cleared can be hired in weeks or months; individuals without clearances will require a minimum of 5-6 months and frequently take longer. This factor influences a hiring official heavily as they look to fill an empty seat that has already been unoccupied for 4-7 months. They are under pressure to put someone into the position and reduce the extra mission impact already affecting the organization and its employees. 

Current Federal employees enjoy a distinct advantage as they already have the proper clearances and are intimately familiar with Organizational missions, culture and business practices. This is fundamentally true in almost all employment situations. The situation is further heightened due to the complexity and sensitivity of work within the Federal government. A selecting official knows he can obtain a current employee and have them start work in one or two pay periods once they are formally notified and accept the offer. This is also a final job offer, not a conditional one afforded to external candidates or new hires. They will require a complete submission of their SF 86, undergo a subject interview, and must pass a drug test and posswibly a counterintelligence or full scope polygraph. Any issues that arise can further delay the applicant’s acceptance. As a reminder military members and cleared contractors do not routinely “grandfather” over into Federal civilian jobs and must undergo security processing again.

Retiring or ETSing military with a security clearance should consider their timelines carefully as they pursue federal employment to ensure they start work when they had planned. Cleared service members work with FCPS to begin applying for vacancy announcements no later than 6 months prior to their retirement date. This may actually be 7 or 8 months if you desire to “double dip” and work as a federal employee while on terminal leave. One of the greatest surprises that will confront a service member occurs when they realize they are starting their employment search too late. This will inevitably cause them to suffer several months or more of down time without a job other than their retirement pay. As we all know, that, along with the requirement to now pay state and/or federal taxes and a Survivor Benefit plan (SBP) deduction will make meeting the mortgage and other bills extremely difficult.