Thoughts on Job Requiring Security Clearance

1. This is a typical way of working at any place you will be doing product development. Even companies without security clearances will do background checks, have badges for access to only certain areas tied to your job function, not allow cell use or block signals inside buildings, limit internet access, trace/log all network PC activity.

2. You should never speak about specifics from previous jobs when it concerns product development. In your HR and initial training you will have to sign a number of forms and go through training to make sure you understand the ramifications of speaking about specifics. Any job you apply for after this will have the same or similar policies. They will understand you can not go into specifics and would not want you to if they follow their legal teams guidelines.

Quote from nizzy1115 : I did....they basically showed me the path through promotions that I would get if I did everything promised...they treat me as good as I thought they would and see no reason to leave. I went in knowing I'd like to be here for as long as possible.

Okay, I have to ask. What industry do you work in? Do you have a gov't/union job?

Have you looked at the forms you will have to fill out to get a clearance and how hard do you think it will be for you to get your clearance?

Also:

Have you ever been arrested?

How is your credit?

Quote from zzyzzx : Have you looked at the forms you will have to fill out to get a clearance and how hard do you think it will be for you to get your clearance? Also: Have you ever been arrested? How is your credit?

I don't have the specific forms I will need to fill out, but based on what my would-be manager said at the interview, I should be fine.

Have you ever been arrested? - Nope.

How is your credit? - Should be be pretty good. When I checked it using Credit Karma a while back, it was in the mid 700s. I've never had any credit issues.

Quote from StarNova : Okay, I have to ask. What industry do you work in? Do you have a gov't/union job?

Private/non for profit

Quote from newguy302 : I don't have the specific forms I will need to fill out, but based on what my would-be manager said at the interview, I should be fine. Have you ever been arrested? - Nope. How is your credit? - Should be be pretty good. When I checked it using Credit Karma a while back, it was in the mid 700s. I've never had any credit issues.

Now that you mention it, they probably wouldn't hire you if they thought you were not going to get cleared. Having said that, you never really know for sure and I know people who got denied for stupid things.

Take a look at the form itself (the SF-86)

http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

1) Have good credit.
2) Have few to no foreign contacts (especially close family members).
3) Have NO use of drugs in the last three years.
4) Be honest on the forms.
5) Internet access is NOT required to be blocked in closed areas (company policy may dictate more strict controls).
6) No cell phones or personal electronic devices in closed areas.

Getting an iterim clearance may come quickly but waiting for the investigators (typically OPM contractors) and finally the adjucation process may take quite some time depending on the level you have been submitted for.

Quote from nizzy1115 : I did....they basically showed me the path through promotions that I would get if I did everything promised...they treat me as good as I thought they would and see no reason to leave. I went in knowing I'd like to be here for as long as possible.

That is good for you. Rarely does something like that happen.

Quote from jhuflyer : Take a look at the form itself (the SF-86) http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf 1) Have good credit. 2) Have few to no foreign contacts (especially close family members). 3) Have NO use of drugs in the last three years. 4) Be honest on the forms. 5) Internet access is NOT required to be blocked in closed areas (company policy may dictate more strict controls). 6) No cell phones or personal electronic devices in closed areas. Getting an iterim clearance may come quickly but waiting for the investigators (typically OPM contractors) and finally the adjucation process may take quite some time depending on the level you have been submitted for.

Ahh, the good o' SF86. I remember when it was MUCH shorter than this version. At least eqip looks better now. Too bad I can't say the same for jpas though.

Rubicon!

For starters, just because a job requires a clearance, that doesn't mean you will actually use it that often. I work for the larges defense contractor in the US (if you don't know who that is, just look it up). I have a Secret Clearance and in my almost 8 years at this job, I have only needed it a couple of handful of times.

All work in the defense industry is "need to know" anyway, so the secret clearance is really only for certain technologies and whatnot that we try and control more (and/or aren't exportable to other countries). Having a secret clearance isn't as glamorous as it sounds. I am not sure why so many people ""ooooh and aahhhh" over it.

But when you are in a secret discussion, no cell phones are allowed in the room, you have to have secure phones in the room and often times you can't take notes (because they aren't controlled).

Quote from xceebeex : For starters, just because a job requires a clearance, that doesn't mean you will actually use it that often. I work for the larges defense contractor in the US (if you don't know who that is, just look it up). I have a Secret Clearance and in my almost 8 years at this job, I have only needed it a couple of handful of times. All work in the defense industry is "need to know" anyway, so the secret clearance is really only for certain technologies and whatnot that we try and control more (and/or aren't exportable to other countries). Having a secret clearance isn't as glamorous as it sounds. I am not sure why so many people ""ooooh and aahhhh" over it. But when you are in a secret discussion, no cell phones are allowed in the room, you have to have secure phones in the room and often times you can't take notes (because they aren't controlled).

This guy is spot-on with his info, I work for a competitor and the same info applies.

Quote from xceebeex : For starters, just because a job requires a clearance, that doesn't mean you will actually use it that often. I work for the larges defense contractor in the US (if you don't know who that is, just look it up). I have a Secret Clearance and in my almost 8 years at this job, I have only needed it a couple of handful of times. All work in the defense industry is "need to know" anyway, so the secret clearance is really only for certain technologies and whatnot that we try and control more (and/or aren't exportable to other countries). Having a secret clearance isn't as glamorous as it sounds. I am not sure why so many people ""ooooh and aahhhh" over it. But when you are in a secret discussion, no cell phones are allowed in the room, you have to have secure phones in the room and often times you can't take notes (because they aren't controlled).

I third this. It may look nice on paper, but really it's "meh." Go wherever makes you happy, clearance or not.