Obtaining a Security Clearance
You cannot obtain a security clearance for yourself; instead, your current or prospective employer must do so on your behalf. Because the process is costly and time-consuming, organizations will only do so if it is absolutely necessary. Make sure you have the following information before applying for jobs.
What’s a Security Clearance?
Individuals with this clearance have access to information or material that could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. There are three basic levels of security classification: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.
Who Needs a Security Clearance?
If your job requires access to classified documents, you’ll need a security clearance, which varies by federal agency and is constantly changing in response to new threats. According to one manager, getting the right clearance can take up to two years.
Things to Consider Before Proceeding
“The process of getting clearance can be very intrusive,” says compensation director. Find out what disqualifiers there are from human resources before quitting your current job. “You don’t want to quit a good job only to find out you aren’t eligible for clearance,” he says.
Avoid Scams
Recruiting firms that promise to obtain a security clearance for you are scams, according to experts.
Get Your Foot in the Door
If you’re serious about getting a security clearance, Archibald recommends starting in a nonclassified job, putting in your time, and informing your boss that you want to move up to a classified position. Visit the Military.com Job Search section for the most recent veteran job postings across the country.
The Next Step: Find the Right Veteran Job
Sign up for a free Military.com membership to get job postings, guides, and advice delivered right to your inbox. Use our job-hunting site to find local job fairs and connect with employers looking to hire veterans.
How much does it cost to get a security clearance?
A SECRET clearance can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $3,000, depending on individual factors, while a TOP SECRET clearance can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on individual factors.
What disqualifies you from getting a security clearance?
Financial problems linked to gambling, drug abuse, alcoholism, or other security concerns may raise a security concern and disqualify an applicant.
Can I get a security clearance on my own?
No, you must be sponsored by a cleared contractor or a government agency, and you must be employed (or hired as a consultant) in a position that requires a clearance.
What does it take to get security clearance?
A security clearance can only be granted by the federal government, and to obtain one, an applicant must work for a government agency or contractor and engage in activities that justify granting him or her access to highly sensitive information.
Does a security clearance increase your salary?
Salary Increase Due to Clearance Level or Job Requirements The pay bump for Top Secret clearances is frequently cited as a 12% or $20K increase; however, full confirmation of firm numbers is difficult to come by.
Is it hard to get security clearance?
Stringent suitability requirements, particularly in the intelligence community, weed out many unqualified applicants before they ever reach security clearance processing.
How far back does secret clearance go?
Security Clearance Adjudicative Process The clearance process for Secret level access uses a five-year investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit, whereas the clearance process for Top Secret uses a ten-year Single Scope Background Investigation.
How long does it take to get a security clearance 2020?
According to DCSA data, the fastest majority of secret cases took 89 days to complete in the third quarter of 2020, which was better than the 163-day average in 2019. Top secret clearances took an average of 135 days, which was well below the 305-day processing times a year ago.
What percentage of security clearances are denied?
You may even wonder if you should keep going with the process, especially if you’re not getting paid while you wait; however, don’t lose heart: while 20-30% of interim security clearances are denied, the figure for final clearance denials is around 1%.
Can you get a secret clearance with bad credit?
Imperfect financial circumstances, such as poor credit scores, can have a negative impact on your application and lead to your security clearance being denied; however, the dollar amount associated with your financial difficulties is usually less important than the reasons for your financial difficulties.
How often are security clearances denied?
Myth #1: Many security clearances are denied. According to Peregrine, the rate of security clearance denials is extremely low, with less than 1% of security clearance investigations resulting in denial. Individuals may not be eligible for an interim clearance, and they may have serious issues that need to be addressed.
Can I apply for security clearance without a job?
A security clearance is required for up to five million government and contractor employees, but no individual can obtain one; all security clearances must be obtained through an employer, whether the government or a private contractor.
Do security clearances check Internet history?
Many security clearance applicants have questions about Continuous Vetting and what information is included, and your browser history is not a factor in your security clearance.
Are you eligible to obtain a government security clearance?
To obtain a security clearance, you must be sponsored by a government agency for a position that requires access to classified information, and you must be a U.S. citizen. It’s important to note that a clearance is subject to the government’s scrutiny at any time.
What credit report is used for security clearance?
Yes, I am aware of the dispute process, but my question remains the same. Thank you for your time. You already mentioned the three credit bureaus that they use.