Security Cleared Jobs: Who's Hiring & How

Welcome to this special edition of Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring and How . Today’s episode is a “producer pick” featuring a past episode with Hannah Nyberg of BlackSky. If you missed it the first time, enjoy learning about employee perks like tasking a satellite to Hannah's hot resume tip to avoid looking like a job hopper. View the show notes and transcript from the original airing of...

In this special recruiter-focused series, our hosts Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman discuss lessons learned from our Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring & How podcast. 3:51 Sell candidates on benefits of location. 4:33 Do you have support for the spouse getting a position in the new location? 8:18 CBRE Global Survey found more than half of urban millennials would consider relocating to a sma...

Acuity has four business units: Financial, Foreign Affairs, National Security, and Intel. Peter Alcantara, Lead Recruiter for National Security and University Programs, talks about company growth, proactive recruiting strategies, the importance of confidence in your cleared job search, and the company’s recent expansion into the intelligence sector. 5:33 Difference between being a prime and a sub...

Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) supports 27 DoD organizations including the Pentagon, shares Michelle Eveleigh, Talent Acquisition and Outreach Lead. Learn about the requirements for federal resumes, the role of WHS, and the merit system principles guiding federal hiring. Plus hear insights into navigating the application process, including the importance of using the USAJOBS resume builder...

In this special recruiter-focused series, our hosts Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman discuss lessons learned from our Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring & How podcast. 2:55 Employees are four times more likely to feel more engaged and make a difference if there is a good culture fit. They’re five times more likely to give a referral to the company.   4:39 SHRM study said organizations that d...

Recorded live at a recent Cleared Job Fair, this recruiter roundtable discussion features Leslie Murphy with ANSER, Kearstin McGinnis with TekSynap, and Larry Thompson with Los Alamos National Laboratory. Moderated by veteran and former recruiter Bob Wheeler, the panel talks about the hiring process, how cover letters have become relevant again, why the job posting is your road map, and more. 12:0...

Melissa Jensen has a unique career journey from Army Intel to her current role as Technical Account Manager at RACTSOL. RACTSOL specializes in providing emerging technology and emphasizes a supportive curiosity culture, offering flexible schedules, pay transparency, and community support. Plus hear Melissa’s tips for female veterans.  10:30 RACTSOL is small but mighty with about 20 employees total...

In this special recruiter-focused series, our hosts Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman discuss lessons learned from our Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring & How podcast. 11:03 A ClearedJobs. Net survey shows that when deciding between two or more job offers, the top influencer was salary and benefits at 47%. 29% said remote. 16:05 Ask why your candidates want to work remotely. 22:40 The agency...

Nightwing was divested from Raytheon in April 2024, shares Tim Zentz, VP of the Nightwing CODEX business unit, one of four business units at the company. Nightwing hires technical skillsets across a diverse customer base while prioritizing employee engagement and growth. 7:09 They often find candidates who have 70-80% of the skills needed for a position and train them.   12:04 They’re creating a c...

Kelly Newman, Senior Engineering Manager at General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS), reflects on his impressive 28-year career with the company, where he currently oversees the prime contract for the Space Development Agency. Having conducted interviews with hundreds of cleared professionals in recent years, Kelly has gathered valuable insights and tips for successful interviewing. He is actively...

In this special recruiter-focused series, our hosts Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman discuss lessons learned from our Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring & How podcast guests. 5:13 Dorion Baker shared the importance of long-term relationships and nurturing cleared talent. 9:54 Jess Mathias of Core4ce calls candidates at every stage of the process.  13:58 Katie Sargent with Two Six Technologie...

Golden Key Group (GKG) provides HR resources to many federal agencies and the military. Keeping a spotlight on the human throughout the hiring process is a key focus for Jennie Sikes, Director Talent Acquisition & Management. Jennie shares the importance of emotional intelligence in your career, the GKG company culture, and why starting a job on the right foot is so important. 8:48 Emotional i...

You may have more value to a smaller company than to a larger one, relates Doug Munro, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist for Information Management Group (IMG). IMG is a small business, focused on IT and cybersecurity, both in the metro DC area and beyond. Plus, if you have a Full Scope Poly and want to transition your career to IT, Doug’s team will help you obtain a Security+ and set you on a...

BlackSky is a unique government contractor that owns and operates small satellites in low Earth orbit. What sets BlackSky apart, shares Hannah Nyberg, People and Culture Manager, is their technology, analytics capabilities, and people. Listen for Hannah’s top resume tip for cleared job seekers.  3:11 BlackSky is a space-based defense and intelligence company. They own and operate their own small s...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating work of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (OSD CAPE), described by Wilton Virgo as "part think tank, part consulting firm, and all-around analytical powerhouse." Wilton reveals the key skills needed to thrive at CAPE—sharp analytical skills and outstanding communication skills—and shares how he turne...

ANSER is a non-profit founded in 1958 as a public service research institute, shares Jessica Albosta, company COO. With a focus on their employees’ careers, not their contracts, many staff members have been with ANSER for decades. Jessica recommends you spend time with a recruiter when they contact you, and be data-oriented on your resume. “When an opportunity opens up in another area, my director...

Rapid Cycle Solutions provides consulting advice to their agency clients on data analytics and cloud computing, shares company founder and owner, Bill Engel. That means soft skills such as good communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork are critical, beyond technical skills. Bill’s Pro Interview Tip: He’s going to ask how you stay abreast of current technologies. And he’ll fully fund your he...

RTI Consulting (Results-Teamwork-Integrity), supports the Intelligence Community. Talent Acquisition Manager Claudia Trail highlights the company’s culture of treating people the way they would like to be treated…or better. Claudia’s hot tip: Don’t apply for a job based on the job title; read the requirements! “A lot of companies say we take care of our people, and that's something that you c...

PingWind is a smaller cleared employer offering IT services opportunities, primarily requiring Secret and Top Secret security clearances. Director of Recruiting Jay June reveals how to succeed at a job fair and confirms the company name really does relate to penguins. “Those four individuals came into the job fair knowing the job that they wanted. They came to the table, gave us their name, and sh...

Prime Time Consulting is a smaller company working primarily in the Fort Meade, Maryland area and focused on intelligence analysis. Cynthia Liscoe, Chief Operations Officer, discusses upgrading CI Polys to Full Scopes, their big company knowledge with small company c-suite access, the Interview Ambassador Program, and more. “It's one of the best ways to get that Full Scope. There's only...

The Facilities Services Directorate (FSD) of the Washington Headquarters Services provides facilities management support for the Pentagon and associated buildings in the National Capital Region. Chief of Staff Kim Crawford shares that their hiring needs are for both professional and trades positions, with a focus on a 60-day time-to-hire. FSD has direct-hire authority for technical and critical-fi...

MindPoint Group focuses on all aspects of cybersecurity in their contracts with civilian federal agencies, shares Jen Moyars, Associate Director of Talent Acquisition and Resource Management. Learn what surge support can mean for your security clearance, the importance of being responsive when interviewing, and how long-term professional relationships can help your cleared career. “In order to hol...

Talent Acquisition Specialist Mel Gilpin is a graduate of Avian's Leadership Development Program, a one-year program to develop employees’ skills and knowledge. Avian supports NAVAIR programs in the Pax River area of Southern Maryland, among other opportunities. Learn about Coffee with Kevin, Jump Balls, and the importance of transparency with your recruiter. “We always want to help people fi...

Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and good communication skills are keys to career success, even for most technical positions. Discover more about why those skills are so important from Mary Toxey, USAF veteran, COO and BasisPath Co-Founder. “If you help us win this contract or get this new work, we're going to pay you for your efforts. And then there's also the ability to earn...

MissionEdge Technologies is a cybersecurity company that has a four-pronged plan for growth, shares CEO Wayne Schmidt. Wayne focuses on the importance of work-life balance and why that’s important to him, the MissionEdge hiring process, why it’s OK to say “I don’t know” in an interview, and the meaning of the company’s #BringTheEdge hashtag. “Most, if not all, of the employees at MissionEdge have...