Security Clearance Careers Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Jaffer and Cadie Hopkins, the powerhouse duo behind the Iron Butterfly Foundation and Iron Butterfly Media, and now the groundbreaking documentary that amplifies the voices of women in the intelligence and national security community. If you've followed the Iron Butterfly podcast, you already know Megan and Cadie are passionate about highlighting the often unseen, unspoken, and uncelebrated stories of women in the shadows. Now, with this new documentary, they're bringing those stories to the big screen.We talk about what inspired Iron Butterfly—both the podcast and the film—and why representation matters now more than ever. From covert careers to classified missions, the women featured in Iron Butterfly share what it means to lead, serve, and make history—even when it happens as quietly as butterfly wings.In this episode, we explore:How Megan and Cadie built a platform for women across the ICThe untold challenges and triumphs of women working in the cleared spaceWhy creating space for these conversations strengthens the entire national security missionIf you've ever wondered what it's like to rise through the ranks while working in the shadows, Iron Butterfly delivers answers—and inspiration.

In a powerful step forward for military brain health, a research team led by Dr. James Stone at the University of Virginia School of Medicine has received a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance a game-changing tool: the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV). This data-driven system is poised to revolutionize how we understand, measure, and ultimately protect service members from the invisible injuries caused by repeated blast exposure in both training and combat. Every day, military personnel are exposed to explosive forces—sometimes in direct combat, but more often during training scenarios like breaching exercises or heavy weapons use. These low-level, repeated blast exposures might not cause immediate harm but can build up over time, leading to long-term changes in brain function.Enter the GBEV tool: a scientific method to assign a numerical score to a service member's history of blast exposure. He joins the podcast to discuss how the tool informs policy, medical care, and public health strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

hat's really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? For years, it's been billed as the game-changing reform effort to modernize how the government vets and clears its personnel. But with implementation lagging and key systems like NBIS still not fully operational, the big question remains: Are we making progress, or just stuck in process?In this episode, we talk with Alyssa Czyz, Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), to unpack GAO's latest report on the federal government's personnel vetting overhaul. From the promise of Continuous Vetting to the pitfalls of missed timelines and unfinalized policies, Czyz gives a look at what's been done—and what's just been drafted.We break down:What's working (hello, Continuous Vetting) and what's stalling (looking at you, NBIS).Why critical policies like the Personnel Vetting Management Standards are still sitting on the shelf.Whether NBIS is gaining—or losing—confidence as the tech backbone of the clearance process.How close we are to a truly mobile, modern, and streamlined vetting system.Whether you're deep in the weeds of personnel security or just trying to keep up with the alphabet soup of federal reform, this episode cuts through the noise and gives you the Trusted Workforce 2.0 update you actually need.

The annual NCMS Seminar brings together security professionals from across the nation. In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of the NCMS Annual Seminar—the premier event for industrial security professionals. Joining us are special guests Stevie Dahl and Sarah Turner, members of the NCMS National Board of Directors, who share their insights from this year's event, including the most asked-about sessions, trends shaping the security profession, and why NCMS continues to be the must-attend seminar for cleared industry leaders.From insider threat programs to classified contract compliance, the NCMS Seminar offers practical training and powerful networking for professionals across the national security ecosystem. Whether you're a long-time NCMS member or a first-time attendee, you'll get a front-row seat to the people, policy, and partnerships shaping the future of security.Tune in to hear Stevie and Sarah discuss:What to expect from this year's keynote speakers and breakout sessionsHow NCMS is evolving to support professionals across career levelsWhat's new for NCMS members in 2025Why community and collaboration remain critical to mission successThis episode is your pass to the conversations happening at the cutting edge of security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since its founding, The New IC has been the Intelligence and National Security Alliance's (INSA) premier workforce event—dedicated to supporting early- and mid-career professionals across the cleared community. Whether you're just getting your start or looking to take your next big step, this program is designed to help you build your skills, broaden your network, and thrive in the IC and national security spaceThis year's program is bigger than ever. We're kicking off with Career Conversations, a dynamic job fair and networking event where attendees can meet top IC employers, learn about in-demand skills, and forge career-making connections. And that's just the beginning.Learn more about the vital networking opportunities available at this event on Wednesday, June 25, from 1:00-6:00 pm at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 AI Expo for National Competitiveness, held from June 2–4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., brought together over 15,000 attendees from government, academia, and industry to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its role in national security and economic leadership.For today's episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast we give you the highlights of AI Expo, put on by the Special Competitive Studies Project – a non-partisan U.S. think tank and private foundation focused on technology and security, created by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. ClearanceJobs hosted the Talent Marketplace at the expo where companies and talent were able to meet, and career coaches were able to guide attendees, wherever they are at in thei job search. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google Public Sector joins the podcast to discuss Google Veterans Career Week. Mike Benedosso, global leader of Google's Veterans Network (VetNet), tells us more about his own transition, tips for veterans looking for a job at Google, and why he has stayed for nine years supporting Google's Brand Marketing (Brand Social): Influencer Marketing as a Strategy Leader. Google is hosting its 5th Annual Google Veterans Career Week, a free, virtual three-day event (June 10-12) offering veterans, military spouses/partners, and service members tools, support, and advice to advance their civilian careers. The week includes functional and industry roundtables, an exclusive fireside chat, and skill-building sessions – all designed to provide valuable networking, learning, and tactical career advice. The event is open to anyone supporting the military community and so tune in to this sneak peek. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today our episode of the Security Clerance Careers Podcast focuses on navigating ClearanceJobs.com as a job seeker. We have Brent, ClearanceJobs Manager of Client Success who runs our candidate how-to webinars. This is an engaging, informative episode that highlights both practical tips and strategic insights for cleared professionals navigating ClearanceJobs.com, ultimately getting you on the phone with a recruiter which can be pretty difficult nowadays in such a saturated candidate market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Optimizing your online profiles for professional networking is essential in today's digital-first professional landscape. Your ClearanceJobs profile is often the first interaction someone has with you—whether it's a recruiter, hiring manager, or other executive leader using our platform.Platforms like ClearanceJobs rank profiles against Boolean searches (or Intellisearch) that recruiters key in to match the most qualified candidates. By strategically using keywords related to your industry, roles, and skills you improve your chances of appearing in searches, making it easier for hiring managers to find you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the ClearanceJobs podcast—where national security professionals stay informed, inspired, and maybe even a little entertained. Today, we're bringing you the official recap of SOF Week 2025—arguably one of the most impactful defense community events of the year. Whether you were boots-on-the-ground in Tampa or just watching from afar, we've got the highlights, insights, and maybe even a few behind-the-scenes moments you won't find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pay transparency—openly sharing salary ranges and compensation practices—has been gaining traction in both private and public sectors. But how does this shift impact employee morale? The answer: it depends on how it's implemented.New pay transparency laws are shining a light on compensation—but they're also exposing workplace tensions that many leaders aren't prepared to manage. When employees discover salary discrepancies, it can spark resentment, disengagement, and internal conflict.Richard Birke, Chief Architect of JAMS Pathways, joins the podcast to discuss how organizations can promote trust and transparency while preventing conflict from undermining culture and morale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gwen Clavon, Senior Vice President for Digital Security and Analytics at Amentum, joins ClearedCast to discuss leadership, resilience, and wellness in cleared careers—and why it's okay to not be okay in national security. To learn more about careers at Amentum, visit their ClearanceJobs profile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindy Kyzer and Sean Bigley of ClearanceJobs spitball about the truth and lies when it comes to the polygraph process. One of the realities of the polygraph is that even experts agree it's dubious at actually checking for lies. What it is good at is getting people to have a spiritual epiphany and suddenly start sharing details they hadn't before. That's one reason why maybe the security clearance polygraph should go the way of Scientology's eMeters, and the experts should agree, they're really only used for 'spiritual purposes.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mika Cross is a workplace expert known for her work in areas like government workforce innovation, flexible work environments, employee engagement, and talent management. She has held senior roles across federal agencies, including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Labor. Mika often speaks about future of work trends, public sector workforce reforms, and ways to make workplaces more inclusive and high-performing.She's also active in consulting and thought leadership spaces, especially around how government and private sectors can better adapt to changing workforce needs.Mika joins the podcast to talk about the current landscape and why federal work still matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Security clearance holders - they're just like us! Working in national security holds individuals to a higher standard, but it doesn't mean their perfect. Legal run ins cause clearance holders a lot of anxiety, but the only thing worse than getting caught on the familiar side of a pair of handcuffs is trying to hide that arrest or police incident from your security officer. Self reporting requirements apply to misdemeanors and criminal incidents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As thousands of service members prepare to leave the military each year, one of their greatest challenges isn't found on the battlefield—it's navigating the transition to civilian life. The move from a structured military environment to a more fluid civilian job market can be jarring, but with early preparation and the right tools, veterans can position themselves for long-term success.Jesse Sieff joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to talk about his time leading up to enlisting, time in the military, obstacles during the transition, what he does today, and advice for those interested in the military or those getting out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Carpenter and Nandita Balakrishnan of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonpartisan nonprofit working to advance U.S. national competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence, join us on this episode of ClearedCast.Ryan and Nandita share how SCSP is shaping the future through two powerful initiatives: the AI + Expo, a three-day event in Washington, D.C., bringing together government, industry, and academia to collaborate on AI's impact across sectors—and a brand-new, free Coursera course titled AI and National Security, built to educate and empower mid-career national security professionals.They discuss how national security now intersects with economic and technological domains, why adaptability is essential, and how SCSP creates accessible pathways for students, mid-career professionals, and policy leaders to reskill, upskill, and lead.Whether you're a policymaker, student, or professional in a skiff wondering where to begin—this episode has something for you.

If you are like most people, your work life will not follow a straight line. The average person changes careers five to seven times during their working life. I've pivoted a few times myself. I went from marketing in college, to social work, to admin, to recruiter and now back to marketing. Each of these major shifts led me to a better place and resulted in a dynamic career I couldn't possibly have envisioned or planned.So, today we cover all things pivoting and figure out if it's actually a wise thing to do - Owen Pycha, Strategic Talent Acquisition MetroStar joins the podcast to talk about his career pivots. From Wegmans, to tech, to sales, to recruiting, Owen shares his insights on what made his career pivots as smooth as possible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Security Clearance Careers podcast Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer discuss the finer points of why security clearance holders should report security concerns. With updated security clearance reporting requirements mandating reporting on not just yourself, but questionable actions by coworkers, it's worth understanding what a security risk is - and what it isn't. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In recent months, significant federal workforce reductions have been implemented through initiatives led by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk. These cutbacks have profoundly affected federal employment opportunities, particularly impacting veterans, minority groups, public health services, and have have broader economic implications​.That's why clearancejobs created FedWork.net.Today's podcast discusses ClearanceJobs, clearances, & FedWork.net – the newest resource for federal careers.Introduction to security clearances and why they matterHow ClearanceJobs and FedWork.net help professionals in cleared careersTips for navigating job opportunities in federal and defense sectorsCommon clearance challenges and how to overcome them Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you haven't been on the job search for awhile, you may be surprised to see folks comparing today's job search to the dating journey. Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer discuss why maybe it's not great to think about your next employer as the great love of your life, but it may be a good thing for employers to take notions of gamification and online content mapping to make the job search process a little more consumer-friendly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aisha Bowe, a trailblazer in the field of aerospace engineering, is making headlines once again as she prepares to embark on an extraordinary journey to space. This monumental achievement is not only a testament to her personal dedication and expertise but also highlights the groundbreaking work of her company, STEMBoard.She joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

57% of Workers Believe AI in Hiring Would Reduce BiasHireVue, a leader in AI-based hiring tools, is gearing up to release the results of a new survey of over 4,000 HR leaders and employees revealing how both sides think about and interact with AI at work. This isn't another AI hype report. This is what's actually happening in hiring—right now.The survey covers:· Increasing AI adoption, trust and productivity.· Concerns surrounding AI (replacing jobs, misinformation, security leaks, legal compliance, bias/fairness, lack transparency, etc.).· The shift from simple automation into a new era of intelligent workflows and adaptive problem-solving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Employment trends expert discusses the importance of the Workday lawsuit and how it can impact companies who use AI hiring tools. Current estimates show that around 50% of companies now use AI tools for recruitment and hiring. However, the wild west of AI usage will soon come under legal wrangling. Earlier this month, an applicant in a groundbreaking AI bias lawsuit (Mobley v. Workday, Inc.) requested the court's approval of a nationwide class of potential plaintiffs.“Derek Mobley's case against Workday was already setting legal precedent, as it was the first of its kind to bring charges of bias related to a company's use of AI hiring tools,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, an employment solutions firm. “His legal team now believes they have enough plaintiffs to expand to their lawsuit nationwide which means more states could be impacted by what happens with the decision in this case.”Wilson says that the EEOC is backing Mobley's lawsuit.“In a brief filed in the Mobley v. Workday class-action case, the EEOC argued that if the claims in the case are true, the plaintiff has valid reasons to hold the AI vendor accountable for any discrimination caused by its technology,” says Wilson.In other words, Wilson says that the EEOC wants to hold companies legally responsible if their AI hiring software has any potential bias built in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we continue to see major cutbacks across the federal government, both cleared and uncleared, many states and organizations are offering support and resources for those laid off workers.Leaders across industries are highlighting companies and recruiters hiring, hosting online workshops and offering legal seminars so workers know their rights.For workers living and who were working in the Virginia area, here are some resources to check out:Statewide resources for federal workers in Virginia: Gov. Glenn Youngkin's office notes that the state of Virginia has 250,000 open jobs, including 100,000 in Northern Virginia.Arlington officials also have highlighted online resource libraries like Virginia Workforce Connection, Virginia Career Works, and Work in Northern Virginia: Resources and Webinars.Unemployment benefits: The Virginia Employment Commission is available to help bridge the gap for federal workers who have been let go. The weekly benefit is $387. (*note, you should apply for unemployment in Virginia, even if you live in D.C., Maryland or somewhere else, if: your last official duty station was in Virginia; or you're a Virginia resident whose last official duty station was outside of the United States; or you're a Virginia resident who was separated from federal employment and afterward worked in non-federal employment in Virginia). You can find Maryland's unemployment site here and D.C.'s here.Not specific to geographic location, ClearanceJobs has the following resources for not just federal workers, but anyone in the job search:ClearanceJobs LIVE: These engaging videos via ClearanceJobs.com offer advice, Q&A direct with recruiters at companies, and other key takeaways for candidates in the market, both passive and active. View and RSVP to LIVE events here.ClearanceJobs career events: ClearanceJobs career events are designed to bring government contractors and federal government agencies, and highly qualified cleared talent together. They are 100% free for job seekers. Attending these career events is a great way to bolster your job seeking efforts, enabling you to meet recruiters and hiring managers from companies and organizations actively looking to fill immediate jobs requiring security clearance and possibly polygraph. View the schedule here.FedWork.Net: Missing Federal Soup right about now? In addition to the ClearanceJobsBlog.com discussion thread (more for security clearance stories and questions), ClearanceJobs launched the new network, discussion board, and messaging platform for federal workers - FedWork.Net. Create an account here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former Navy sailor has pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago to plotting to attack Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, Illinois, purportedly on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Xuanyu Harry Pang, 38, of North Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty to conspiring to and attempting to willfully injure and destroy national defense material, national defense premises, and national defense utilities, with the intent to injure, interfere with, and obstruct the national defense of the United States. The guilty plea was entered on Nov. 5, 2024, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and ordered unsealed last week.###This podcast is brought to you by ManTech! Securing the Future of our nation requires the best minds. For decades, they have been at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, supporting critical missions in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. If you're a cleared professional seeking a challenging and impactful career, ManTech is where you belong! Think Cyberspace Superiority, Data and AI, Digital Transformation, and Intelligent Engineering. Ready to make a real difference? Explore your opportunities at ManTech.com/careers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author and former CIA operative Michele Rigby Assad joins the show to discuss her book ‘Get Off the X'. It's Assad's second book, and shares stories from the CIA that can help you face your hurdles, find your purpose and live authentically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the goal for most job seekers is to capture the attention of recruiters, there are certain actions that can inadvertently lead to being overlooked or ignored. Understanding these missteps can help you avoid them and improve your chances of landing a job interview.Jill and Katie talk about some common mistakes and icky moves to avoid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cyber threats are evolving—and so is the demand for talent. ManTech's Chris Cleary discusses high-impact cyber careers in national security. Learn more about ManTech here: https://www.mantech.com/ Browse current openings here: https://www.clearancejobs.com/profiles/785425/mantech-international-jobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working from home offers flexibility and comfort, but it can also lead to the development of certain bad habits that hinder productivity and well-being. Here are some common habits you might want to consider breaking to improve your work-from-home experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Army Public Affairs Officer and ClearanceJobs news site contributor, Aaron Knowles, has decided to write a book on Artifical Intelligence (AI). But not on the usual AI mantra. His book highlights the good tools, the scary ones that are a backdoor for China to surveil your phone data, and when to ethically implement AI, and maybe where to hold off.He joins me the podcast to dish about his inspirations behind the book after he transitioned from the US Army, what tactical tips readers can take away, and if AI actually wrote some of the book itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before Elon Musk and DOGE walked into the USAID security office, one former employee and whistleblower was already calling the USAID clearance process into question.From the archives: Mark Moyar joins the show to discuss his book, which sheds light on the complex relationship between security clearance eligibility and employment decisions. The author and former political appointee explores his own challenges with the clearance process in Masters of Corruption: How the Federal Bureaucracy Sabotaged the Trump Presidency, arguing that the system was weaponized against him for his efforts to combat waste and fraud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to this episode of ClearedCast where we have a special announcement - the ClearanceJobs Content Team has been hard at work researching and producing a new podcast that will focus on declassified programs within the Intelligence Community. Get all the details on the inspiration for the project, the research, and launch date. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creating a job application that stands out can be a game-changer in today's competitive job market. Here are some key steps to craft a compelling application that captures the attention of employers. 1. Understand the Job DescriptionBefore you start writing your application, thoroughly read the job description. Identify the key skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer is looking for. Highlighting these in your application will demonstrate that you are a suitable candidate.2. Customize Your ResumeTailor your resume for each job application:Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on experiences and achievements that relate directly to the job.Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).Keep It Concise: Limit your resume to one or two pages, depending on your experience level.3. Write a Compelling Cover LetterA cover letter is your chance to make a personal connection:Address the Hiring Manager: If possible, find the name of the hiring manager and address your letter to them.Show Enthusiasm: Express genuine interest in the role and the company.Tell Your Story: Share a brief narrative that highlights your achievements and how they relate to the position.4. Showcase Your AccomplishmentsUse quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. For example, "Increased sales by 20% in six months" is more compelling than a generic statement like "Improved sales."5. Proofread and EditErrors can undermine your credibility:Check for Typos: Carefully proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors.Ensure Clarity: Make sure your writing is clear and concise.Seek Feedback: Ask a trusted friend or mentor to review your application and provide feedback.6. Follow the Application InstructionsEach job application may have specific instructions. Ensure you follow them precisely to show attention to detail and respect for the employer's process.7. Prepare for the Next StepsAfter submitting your application, be ready for potential interviews:Research the Company: Understand the company's mission, values, and culture.Practice Common Interview Questions: Prepare answers that highlight your strengths and how they relate to the job.By following these steps, you can create a job application that effectively communicates your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role. Good luck! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Foreign intelligence assets are looking for opportunities to take advantage of national security workers. Whether it's oversharing on an airplane or leaving your badge in plane site, there are simple, stupid mistakes national security workers should avoid making in order to stay safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ClearanceJobs Connect West is a networking and professional development event tailored for individuals and organizations associated with the national security and defense sectors. This event specifically targets professionals who hire for positions requiring security clearances. It serves as a platform for connecting cleared recruiters, HR professionals, and security officers with experts on filling positions that require security clearances.Key Features1. Networking Opportunities:Attendees have the chance to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential employers. This event is ideal for building relationships and expanding professional networks.2. Industry Insights:Participants can gain valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the national security and defense sectors. Sessions often feature expert speakers who provide updates on policy changes, technological advancements, and industry challenges.3. Career Development:The event offers career-focused sessions designed to help professionals advance their careers. The conference offers SHRM PDCs toward recertification. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building better teams is a key goal across every organization. But all too many fail to put better data and insights into that team building process. A new book by COL Kris Saling, Data-Driven Talent Management, helps give people managers better tools to add to their team building toolkit, including considering what data is already available, how it can be ethically gathered, and then how it can be applied to optimizing how organizations are staffed and grown. She joins the podcast to talk about her new book, and why people management is such a passion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay McKeown is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Red River, a defense contractor that brings together the ideal combination of talent, partners and products to disrupt the status quo in technology and drive success for business and government in ways previously unattainable. Red River serves organizations well beyond traditional technology integration, bringing more than 20 years of experience and mission-critical expertise in security, networking, analytics, collaboration, mobility and cloud solutions. Learn more at redriver.com. THE CHALLENGEIn today's candidate market post pandemic, we are dealing with back to office mandates and obviously for an industry that requires some travel to a SCIF or customer site. McKeown says, “I think for us and for everybody else, the challenges finding people that are willing to come in the office to some degree in a hybrid capacity… but there are still a ton of candidates out there looking for fully remote positions.”HOW CLEARANCEJOBS HELPSJay has a decade in the US Army and served a decade as a police officer and got into business about seven years ago. “And I have always been reluctant about joining this business world, coming from 2 tactical sides. I was a vice cop in DC working undercover for a decade…and was like what the heck is recruiting?” After starting his career and learning all about the different job boards and from the very beginning of working in the government contracting sector, he became the super user of ClearanceJobs.com. “Coming from that side of the industry and having a board that's dedicated towards clearances and tends to be military and government heavy - it almost feels comfortable. I guess when you're in there, it almost feels like a like a board made for prior service type of people.”For ClearanceJobs, McKeown loves the user friendliness and ease of functionality. “The UI / UX or the front end of ClearanceJobs has an ease of use and feel. You know, when I'm comparing it to the other boards, it is pretty self-explanatory where you can navigate around and buttons and pretty much find what you're looking for. I've noticed with the other boards some of the additional seem to be hidden or hard to find.”Red River's favorite functionality of the site is being able to build pipelines and tap into the most engaged talent to land a phone call and eventually extend an offer. Their recruiting team understands that the deadline is today when the government says they need a candidate today. “ClearanceJobs has bailed me out.” After using the Boolean or Intellisearch function to find qualified candidates, Red River sorts candidates by who was last active on the site to get a sense of who who's been on the board most recently. By pulling those last ten active candidates that are qualified and calling those individuals, they've improved their success rate to receiving call backs to the 90th percentile. “Just for that reason alone justifies your board. Much less all the other cool functionalities and features.”In any industry, but particularly the cleared space, it is important to act quickly and find that talent for national security programs. Is ClearanceJobs a top source for these types of missions? McKeown says, “Yeah, by far you're our top source for cleared candidates.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a challenging journey. However, there exists a vast "sea of goodwill" that can support veterans through this process. This metaphorical sea is made up of organizations, communities, and individuals committed to helping veterans successfully navigate their new path.A couple of podcasts hosts, Keith Cassant and Shawn Welsh, aim to to provide a lifeline to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses through the sharing of information and resources about veteran support organizations through the VET S.O.S podcast.Don't drown in the sea of transition; grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline and tune in to our podcast that highlights their own transitions and favorite guests they've interviewed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Were you on the nice list this year and found yourself gifted an overseas experience? Foreign travel is one of the basic things that all security clearance holders need to report. Here are considerations to keep in mind if you're considering any travel outside of the U.S. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Security Clearance Careers Podcast is a valuable resource for individuals interested in or currently working in fields that require security clearances. It focuses on topics related to obtaining, maintaining, and understanding security clearances in various professional settings, particularly within government and defense sectors.The podcast often features interviews with industry experts, providing listeners with insights from seasoned professionals who have first-hand experience in managing security clearances. These guests share their knowledge on navigating the complexities of security-related careers.Tune in to hear about our top five episodes from the last year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prior to the Trusted Workforce 2.0 reform effort, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act had been the largest major overhaul of the Intelligence Community including the national security process. Despite the past several decades of trying to reform the process, however, many of the key topics of clearance reform, from reducing clearance processing times to enabling reciprocity, remain goals unattained. Jill Hamilton, senior editor of ClearanceJobs and Lindy Kyzer discuss the four major clearance reform initiatives of IRTPA that remain clearance reform topics of conversation today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding the perfect gift for someone with a security clearance can be a bit challenging. While you want to show thoughtfulness, it's essential to choose something that aligns with their unique lifestyle and professional responsibilities. From practical tools to help with daily tasks, to fun items that acknowledge their important role, there are plenty of options to consider. Keep in mind that you need to understand their work environment, such as working in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, or traveling constantly for their job; the gift that you choose will need to ‘work' for them.This episode is the perfect guide for office gift giving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A change in presidential administrations doesn't just mean new policies and priorities in government – it also means new political appointees coming in and others moving out. Grant Haver, a former political appointee in the Department of Homeland Security, knows first-hand the experience of transitioning out of federal government, and the sprint of service political appointees take on. He created a resume bank for presidential employees who served with Team 46. He joins the show to talk about what it's like to serve as a political appointee, why they bring unique skills that can be advantageous across the private sector, and why employers should look to former political appointees for job openings.Like federal employees or service members transitioning, political appointees face specific rules about what jobs they can pursue. Political appointees should heed any advice provided in out-briefings, but take full advantage of career resources like ClearanceJobs.com to help them connect with employers and find government and contract opportunities that match their skillsets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marine Corps Logistics Officer Major Jackie Barnum is living her dream—and she's dedicated to helping others do the same. In this compelling interview, Katie dives into Major Barnum's journey, from her inspiration to serve after 9/11 to her time at the Naval Academy and her impactful military career.00:00 Intro02:29 9/11 & the Call to Service03:50 The Naval Academy04:42 Major General Angela Salinas & Applying to the Naval Academy06:36 Current Role07:20 The Driving Force Behind National Security Work07:49 Misconceptions About the Military10:00 Memorable Experience from Service & Commissioning 11:50 Direct Impact of Leadership & Mentorship12:48 Marine Corps Challenges & Building Resilience 15:55 Social Media Presence17:20 The Start of Jackie's Content Was a Morale Boosting Activity for Her Students18:50 Mentors in Service 20:00 Rewarding Moments22:15 How Her Following Led to a Non-Profit (Mentors in Service)24:00 How Mentors in Service Works27:15 Negative Comments & Trolls30:18 Finding Your People32:22 Goals for the FutureMajor Barnum shares how her passion for leadership and mentorship led her to create Mentors in Service, a nonprofit that empowers others to find their purpose and thrive. Learn about her experiences overcoming challenges in the Marine Corps, building resilience, and using social media to inspire and connect with a broader community.www.mentorsinservice.orgDiscover how Major Barnum's journey is a testament to living your dream while lifting others up along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A member of the Virginia Army National Guard and law enforcement officer has become an emerging social media sensation.The Content Team spoke with Sergeant First Class Tyler Butterworth in a special ClearedCast episode, exploring how he employs humor and viral videos to connect with those who serve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News broke this week that President-elect Trump would be moving forward with the usual process of conducting background investigations for political appointees. Speculation that he might change that process was among some of the chatter about how Trump could affect clearance policy that came out after the election. How else might policies change with a new presidential administration? Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs discuss more about the changes that could happen - and more likely what things will stay the same. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you get fired over employer monitoring issues, there is an added layer of concern over losing your security clearance due to integrity or misuse of IT systems.Employee monitoring has become an increasingly common practice in today's workplaces, largely due to advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on productivity and security. However, this trend raises significant privacy concerns that both employers and employees must navigate.Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer discuss what this all means for government workers, security clearance holders, and using personal vs. employer devices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trusted Workforce 2.0 is well underway, and as we await further progress on the National Background Investigations Bureau it's worth asking what's next in reform, and why this transformation matters. This special podcast with the Honorable Susan M. Gordon, former Principal Deputy Director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and Andrew Razumovsky, Principal, CANDA Solutions centered on these crucial topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kanika Tolver is a renowned career coach, author, and speaker known for her innovative and empowering approach to career transformation. With a background in technology and a passion for helping individuals achieve their professional dreams, she has become a leading voice in the realm of career development - or career rehab.In this episode of the security clearance careers podcast, we discuss her journey to federal employment, her experience in the security clearance process, benefits of the federal goverment, and how to increase your earning potential in GovTech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carmen Medina is a distinguished figure in the U.S. intelligence community, known for her innovative thinking and transformative impact. Her career in the IC spanned over three decades, during which she challenged conventional practices and advocated for critical changes that have left a lasting legacy. She joins the podcast to talk about being a Latina woman at a time when the agency hallways were filled with men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.