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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the latest episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, J.T. O'Donnell crashes the party, diving headfirst into the chaotic whirlpool that is today's job market and recruitment tech. They start by roasting the good ol' resume, with J.T. proclaiming it's about as useful as a screen door on a submarine in this AI-driven world. Next up, they tackle the plight of Harvard MBA grads, who apparently can't even buy a job in this economy. One in four of these overachievers are sitting at home, probably wondering if their fancy degrees are just expensive wall decor. The show then takes a detour into corporate shenanigans, spotlighting DHI Group's Dice and ClearanceJobs, which are cutting costs like they're prepping for a zombie apocalypse. Layoffs? More like "strategic headcount adjustments," am I right? On the acquisition front, Shaker Recruitment Marketing gobbled up JobAdX, which might make Appcast lose sleep, assuming JobAdX goes on the offensive ... unlike Joe Shaker's beloved Chicago Bears this season. The tech talk doesn't stop there; LinkedIn's new AI tools are supposedly going to make job hunting as easy as swiping right on Tinder, plus help small to medium-sized businesses use LinkedIn for hiring where they looked to ZipRecruiter or Indeed previously. And then there's TikTok, teetering on the edge of oblivion, potentially turning all those TikTok millionaires back into regular folks with regular jobs. Lastly, they zero in on Mark Zuckerberg for some Big Meta Energy, whose recent decisions at Meta scream either "mid-life crisis" or "I've lost the plot" ... take your pick. They speculate on AI's future, with middle managers on high alert, fearing their cushy jobs might soon be as relevant as a fax machine. So, grab your popcorn (or your resume, for nostalgia), and tune in for a snarky, humorous breakdown of the job market's latest and greatest.
In the latest episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, J.T. O'Donnell crashes the party, diving headfirst into the chaotic whirlpool that is today's job market and recruitment tech. They start by roasting the good ol' resume, with J.T. proclaiming it's about as useful as a screen door on a submarine in this AI-driven world. Next up, they tackle the plight of Harvard MBA grads, who apparently can't even buy a job in this economy. One in four of these overachievers are sitting at home, probably wondering if their fancy degrees are just expensive wall decor. The show then takes a detour into corporate shenanigans, spotlighting DHI Group's Dice and ClearanceJobs, which are cutting costs like they're prepping for a zombie apocalypse. Layoffs? More like "strategic headcount adjustments," am I right? On the acquisition front, Shaker Recruitment Marketing gobbled up JobAdX, which might make Appcast lose sleep, assuming JobAdX goes on the offensive ... unlike Joe Shaker's beloved Chicago Bears this season. The tech talk doesn't stop there; LinkedIn's new AI tools are supposedly going to make job hunting as easy as swiping right on Tinder, plus help small to medium-sized businesses use LinkedIn for hiring where they looked to ZipRecruiter or Indeed previously. And then there's TikTok, teetering on the edge of oblivion, potentially turning all those TikTok millionaires back into regular folks with regular jobs. Lastly, they zero in on Mark Zuckerberg for some Big Meta Energy, whose recent decisions at Meta scream either "mid-life crisis" or "I've lost the plot" ... take your pick. They speculate on AI's future, with middle managers on high alert, fearing their cushy jobs might soon be as relevant as a fax machine. So, grab your popcorn (or your resume, for nostalgia), and tune in for a snarky, humorous breakdown of the job market's latest and greatest.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UKG made two big announcements this week in conjunction with their customer event UKG Aspire. First they announced the launch of the UKG Pro® Talent Marketplace solution, an AI-powered talent management application designed to fill critical labor gaps for the business while opening doors to new career opportunities for frontline employees and knowledge workers alike. https://hrtechfeed.com/ukg-launches-ai-powered-talent-marketplace/ UKG also announced several enhancements to make the all-in-one UKG Ready® HR suite more intelligent and even simpler to use. Recruit Co., parent company of Indeed and Glassdoor has released results for the Quarter ending Sept 30th. Revenue for Q2 FY2024 increased 10.0% and on a US dollar basis, revenue increased 6.3%. https://hrtechfeed.com/indeeds-latest-earnings-report/ SocialCrowd which automatically tracks employee progress towards goals, reminds them of the work they have left, and rewards them instantly – has raised $2.5M in new funding. https://hrtechfeed.com/workforce-engagement-tool-gets-2-5m/ DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE: DHX) announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights(1) Total revenue was $35.3 million, down 6% year over year. ClearanceJobs revenue was $13.4 million, up 6% year over year. Dice revenue was $21.9 million, down 12% year over year https://hrtechfeed.com/dhi-group-reports-2024-3rd-qtr-results-announces-cfo-transition/
Congress is currently looking to make it easier for prior marijuana users to get jobs with the federal government, but marijuana topics are nothing new over at ClearanceJobs and drug-related articles continue to trend on the site. Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer discuss why marijuana use remains a hot topic and why clearance holders still need to 'just say no.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On Monday, September 17, the INSA Foundation in partnership with ClearanceJobs and GDIT, hosted the second installment of the "Future of the IC Workforce: Technology and Talent Transformation" series. Speakers included Kimberly King, Career Service Manager for Analysis, DIA, The Hon. John Sherman, Dean, The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, and moderator Lindy Kyzer, Director of Content and PR, ClearnaceJobs. The program opened with speakers discussing the unique values that national security careers offer. Ms. King stated that there is merit in safeguarding the nation by being a part of something bigger than yourself. Joining the workforce there is an opportunity for “combination of mission and chance to drive your own career,” said Ms. King. Dean Sherman reflected on his career pivots and being at the forefront of technological advancement over the years. He noted that “being a trailblazer” in a discipline is distinctive from other career paths.The conversation shifted to the private sector's competitive strategy to retain and attract new talent. Ms. King highlighted DIA is building their talent pipeline through IC Centers for Academic Excellence. This initiative leverages DIA's connection with students across the country to onboard internships. The pay gap between the private sector and government presents a complex challenge for recruiting stem talent. Ms. King revealed the agency's new pay model is a proactive recruiting strategy that is attracting stem students to the DIA. Mr. Sherman responded, that students at the Bush School of Government and Public Service Texas A&M are attracted to the national security mission. To transform mission-focused students to employees; the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosts professors of the practice that extend “tangible real-world example” of careers in the workforce.Upskilling and training are focus areas of the DIA to ensure that employees are digitally- literature on emerging technologies. Kim noted that across-agency there are formal and informal training for employees. Continuing learning opportunities at DIA consist of technical training at universities, senior service schools, and speaker visits. Mr. Sherman urged that academia prepare the future workforce by enforcing effective and concise communication amongst students. “Getting them in a mindset that they're writing decision-makers,” said Mr. Sherman. The ability to write clearly and brief a policy is a critical skill the workforce values.The speakers agreed that to reach the future workforce there is a need for a flexible workspace. Improving retention and attraction strategies relies on the workforce to effectively track talent. Insufficient communication with applicants is resulting in the workforce losing skilled candidates during the process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The security clearance polygraph continues to generate a lot of questions from security clearance applicants. Jill Hamilton, senior editor at ClearanceJobs comes on the show to discuss the security clearance polygraph process and a recent series of articles that discussed the security clearance polygraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The United States Military Selective Service System is an independent federal agency that maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription. While the U.S. has not had an active draft since 1973, the Selective Service System ensures that the government can quickly and efficiently mobilize a military force if needed.Steve Leonard, ClearanceJobs contributor anda former senior military strategist who supported the Army for a number of years, joins the Security Clearance Careers podcast to debunk misinformation relating to a recent house bill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The last month at ClearanceJobs news highlights where security clearance and career advice topic intersect. The Content Team drills down on some of the top read news headlines last month.Simple Ways You Can Lose Your Security ClearanceBelow are five simple ways you might accidentally jeopardize your security clearance — and tips on how to prevent them.Giving your debt the cold shoulder.Keeping your foreign travel a secret from your FSO.Keeping the security violations song your singing on repeat.Maintaining a foreign relationship under the radar.Having a side hustle that is top secret.Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen: The Last Stand of Doctrine ManAfter 16 great years, ClearanceJobs contributor Steve Leonard (and the creative force behind America's favorite comic anti-hero, Doctrine Man) decided to sunset the project. “Like the Far Side creator, I was never quite comfortable with the attention the comic brought and generally preferred anonymity when I could manage it. For years, that meant maintaining a Clark Kent-like persona; I didn't advertise myself as the face behind the comic, but anyone who looked hard enough could figure it out.”Steve plans to spend his brain power doing other things...stay tuned.Tips from Booz Allen's Military Recruiting TeamBooz Allen Hamilton can assist service members as they transition from the military to their next opportunity. They have a dedicated military recruiting team to help folks find a new home at the company. By engaging with their hiring teams, you can land yourself a job, or use the skills learned through the process even further down the line in your career.No Technical Background? How to Pivot to a Career in CybersecurityIt's a common question with the demand for cybersecurity talent: “How do I pivot when I don't have a background that relates?”The Hacker in Heels organization is dedicated to supporting women in cybersecurity by offering resources, training, and networking opportunities. Through providing courses, mentorship, and fostering a supportive community, these initiatives aim to dismantle obstacles and promote inclusivity within the tech sector.This podcast episode will teach you what you need to do to get your foot in the door, and the experience the Hacker in Heels founders sometimes had being the only women in the room. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are you fully utilizing the capabilities of ClearanceJobs.com as a job seeker? Survey says likely not. Tune in to this podcast where we give you the nuts and bolts of navigating CJ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who's raised funds, who's been acquired and who's on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
Security threats are growing, and there is high demand for security professionals to work across the spectrum of security functions, from physical and personnel security to cybersecurity. Professional associations are a critical part of attracting and training the next generation of talent. NCMS is a non-profit professional security society, and they're gearing up for their annual seminar taking place in Nashville June 10-13. ClearanceJobs sat down with Stevie Dahl, NCMS board member and co-chair of the seminar planning committee. She discussed what to expect from this year's seminar, including keynote speakers Tracy Walder and John F. Edwards, and David Cattler and Matthew Redding with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. From keynotes to networking and professional development, the NCMS Seminar has a lot to offer the security profession. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Your favorite national security pop culture talk is back with Eric Pecinovsky, vice president of marketing at ClearanceJobs and resident documentary expert. He discusses the 2017 documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, now streaming on Netflix. While best known as a Hollywood starlet, she should be most remembered for her significant technical and scientific achievements. Lamarr coinvented a radio guidance system called frequency hopping, considered the forerunner to Bluetooth technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
National security headlines help us to remember recent events and shape what the DoD / IC landscape look like moving forward in the months to come.For this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, the content team runs through some of the top breaking news over the last month.Tech Layoffs Could Be the New Normal and the Hot, New Job in 2024The tech industry job cuts this year have puzzled many, given the substantial cash reserves of numerous firms. Despite a slowdown in the pandemic, layoffs continue, with 209 tech companies eliminating 50,312 jobs since January, as reported by Layoffs.fyi. Key players like Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft have also followed suit, driving tech sector job reductions to levels reminiscent of the dot-com bust. Though some anticipated relief this year, the high number of cuts persists, leaving employees struggling in what was once a thriving job market. The primary reason behind this trend? Stock prices. Layoffs can elevate share values, leading companies to sustain this pattern. This situation might become the new norm in tech employment, with workers growing accustomed to it and investors content. Only time will reveal if this trend endures.National Security Compensation Sets Record HighDuring a year characterized by inflation and budget uncertainties, companies made decisive moves by introducing substantial salary increases. In 2023, successful candidates saw a significant 6% rise in their compensation, raising the average cleared salary to a record high of $114,946. For the second consecutive year, 67% of respondents noted an increase in their base pay. “The state of the national security job market remains strong,” said Evan Lesser, Founder and President of ClearanceJobs.DoD AI Vision Offers New Opportunities for Job Seekers with Key SkillsetsDuring the recent DoD 2024: Defense Data and AI Symposium, led by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office in Washington, D.C., the Pentagon presented the objectives required to sustain its "DoD AI Hierarchy of Needs." The strategy emphasizes quality data, governance, insightful analytics and metrics, assurance, and responsible AI.White House Pushes Pay Equity for Federal Employees and ContractorsOn January 29, 2009, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law by then-President Barack Obama. The act aimed to enhance the enforcement of equal pay laws. The Biden administration recently commemorated the 15th anniversary of a significant federal pay equity law. Additionally, they emphasized the need for new measures to address pay gaps among federal employees and employees of federal contractors. According to a statement released by the White House on January 29, women workers still earn an average of 84 cents for every dollar earned by men. The disparities are even more pronounced for many women of color, resulting in significant financial losses over their lifetimes. In a move to promote pay equity, the White House issued two Executive Orders targeting the federal workforce and employees of federal contractors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Remote, the leader in building, managing, and supporting globally distributed workforces, has completed the acquisition of Easop, a compliance solution for businesses with international talent to grant and manage equity to their teams across 70+ countries. https://hrtechfeed.com/remote-com-acquires-equity-compensation-tool/ ClearanceJobs, the leading online community for security-cleared professionals, has launched the ability to stream live videos to its platform with the introduction of ClearanceJobs Live. https://hrtechfeed.com/clearancejobs-adds-live-streaming-for-employers/ Employ Inc., the parent company of JazzHR, Lever, Jobvite and NXTThing RPO, announced the appointment of Steve Cox as CEO, effective April 1, 2024. Cox succeeds former CEO, Pete Lamson.- who decided to step down, the company told me. https://hrtechfeed.com/employ-inc-has-new-ceo/ SAN MATEO, Calif.,— Modal, a leading skills development platform for data and analytics professionals, today announced a $25 million Series A. The round is led by Left Lane Capital and Ensemble VC with participation from leading investment firms Signalfire and Learn Capital. https://hrtechfeed.com/modal-announces-25-million-series-a-to-upskill-employees-in-ai/ Indeed, the world's #1 job site1 and a global job matching and hiring platform, today introduces Smart Sourcing, a new AI-powered suite of products to make the hiring process faster, simpler and more efficient for both employers and job seekers. https://hrtechfeed.com/indeed-launches-ai-powered-smart-sourcing/ https://youtu.be/pduqHwS_J58?si=V9GzlMv16YHjjf4A
Today we are exploring inspiring tales of small businesses navigating the challenging landscape of national security. It's a game where the stakes are high and the challenges of recruiting are downright daunting, but today's guest, Katie Helbling, has nailed it down to a science! Katie is the Content Marketing Manager at ClearanceJobs – the largest career network for professionals with federal government security clearance – and she shares how working with multiple contractors in the DOD for over a decade has helped her in the work she does today. For Katie, work ethic is everything, and she describes how work ethic fits into “the best athlete” recruiting strategy before explaining the HR differences between the private sector and public sector, how she navigates the recruiting challenges that are specific to national security, how to enter the world of government contracts and how to manage those relationships, and the importance of building a compelling recruiting brand (and how to do it). We also learn about maintaining the equilibrium between competitors and strategic partners, the value of having adequate resources, and how Katie Helbling has turned tough recruiting odds into strategic advantages to thrive as a subcontractor in national security. Key Points From This Episode:Welcoming ClearanceJobs' Katie Helbling as she walks us through her GovCon story. Interesting facts and data points about the national security landscape. Katie's origins in recruiting and how she transitioned to national security. Her summation of “the best athlete” staffing strategy – a personal journey. How working in HR differs between the private sector and public sector. Navigating the recruiting challenges that are specific to national security.Getting into government contracts as a recruiter, and how to manage those relationships.Katie's advice for cultivating a compelling brand, and why it's important to do so. Why resources matter, and finding the balance between competitors and strategic partners.What the good people at ClearanceJobs are currently focused on. Sponsors:Withum: https://www.withum.com/Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm that offers a range of services including business advisory, forensic and valuation services, accounting and assurance, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and tax consulting.Twenty39 – helping small businesses be successful in GovCon: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and needs expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost-appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
ClearanceJobs is the largest cleared career marketplace or networking platform for job seekers with an active security clearance and recruiters looking to hire cleared talent. In this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, the content team drills down on the top ten preferred fields or niches within the national security sector.IntelligenceMilitary and Law EnforcementIT - SecurityManagementAerospace and AviationIT - SupportLogisticsSecurityIT - SoftwareBusiness - Support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The federal government hiring process comes with unique challenges. What are simple steps that could be taken today to improve the process? ClearanceJobs chats with Michaela Flatau, chief unicorn collector (i.e. ‘putting the human back in human resources') for Defense Unicorns. Defense Unicorns is an innovative software development/delivery company, competing for the best tech talent with some of the hottest missions in government. Flatau shares her journey from government employee to government contractor, and what she sees as key struggles in the government hiring process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
AI is taking over every industry - but what about security. How could artificial intelligence be used in the security clearance process? Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs discuss the use of AI in the job search and application process, and how AI is already being discussed as a force multiplier to improve personnel vetting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
CISA's Veterans Program Manager Keith Cassant spoke with ClearanceJobs about his military transition and how CISA helped him reinvent himself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Military Officer Association of America (MOAA) is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. They are a great partner of ClearanceJobs in acting as a resource for our military community. MOAA's Senior Director, Career Transition and Member Services, Col. Brian D. Anderson, USAF (Ret), joins the podcast to chat about the power of networking as you are navigating your military (including spouses) transition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the inaugural episode of a four-part podcast series with the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency, ClearanceJobs speaks with Sandy Radesky. The Associate Director of Vulnerability Management at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) delves into the world of cybersecurity and the vital role CISA plays in safeguarding the nation's critical infrastructure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
UKG, a leading provider of HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions for all people, today introduced its second cohort of early-stage companies — from four different countries — as part of its fast-growing, in-house global startup ecosystem and virtual laboratory, UKG Labs. This newest class includes: Bites, based in Israel, which is on a mission to enable every organization to train, onboard, and engage with their frontline employees successfully and effectively; Denim, based in the U.S., with solutions to help employers improve performance while retaining talent and ensuring the deskless workforce feels valued, rewarded, and heard; Hop In Technologies, based in Canada, which works to address transportation and mobility barriers for organizations and their employees; and Mo, based in the U.K., which makes it easier for busy managers to meaningfully recognize and engage their employees. https://hrtechfeed.com/ukg-labs-adds-4-startups-to-program/ MilitaryConnected.org out of maryland announced it has raised nearly half-a-million dollars and is growing its team as it transforms how hiring managers in corporate America attract, support, and engage military-connected talent. https://hrtechfeed.com/military-job-board-raises-nearly-half-a-million-dollars/ Charlotte, North Carolina based Accounting Sprout announced the launch of their job board and solution for accountants across the United States. Accounting Sprout was founded by a longtime HR and recruitment veteran, and they aim to fill the talent gap in the industry. https://www.jobboardsecrets.com/2023/10/30/job-board-news-bytes-roaddogjobs-accountingsprout/ Espresa, a personal benefits platform designed for global enterprises, announced the completion of its Series A funding round totaling $23 million led by Clear Ventures. All existing investors participated, including Crosslink Capital, New Era Capital Partners, Moneta Venture Capital, Ridge Ventures and Westwave Capital. https://hrtechfeed.com/workplace-benefits-platform-raises-23-million-series-a/ DHI Group which is a public company (NYSE: DHX) that owns two niche job boards, Dice.com and ClearanceJobs.com has announced its latest earnings. Once again ClearanceJobs outperformed its bigger brother. https://www.jobboardsecrets.com/2023/11/02/dice-clearance-jobs-report-earnings/
Will doing personal business on the government clock cause a security clearance issue? Sean Bigley, legal correspondent and Lindy Kyzer, ClearanceJobs.com, discuss the squishy separation between work and professional that can sometimes arise. Is the government tracking your time card, and can time card fraud affect your security clearance? On the other side, private contractors may also find themselves wondering what they can do during working hours and how that will affect their employment status. Some things are hard and fast rules - like not accessing pornography on a workplace device. Other things - like can you do your laundry - is definitely a gray area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A few members of the ClearanceJobs content team chat about five tips to get a response from a company or a recruiter while you're job seeking.This topic is important because as we've been attending a ton of career events and engaging with candidates, we've noticed that job seekers aren't necessarily familiar with all of the features the ClearanceJobs platform has to offer. We think it's time for a 101 on how to effectively use our website as a job seeker as we hear candidates say "I don't hear from a recruiter", "my applications must get lost", or "I can't get a job on your website". As a candidates, you can certainly upload their resume and let it hang there, which is fine if you have a very in-demand skillset or clearance. But across the board, likely you are not going to have many recruiters just reaching out immediately. So, if you are a motivated candidate seeking a new job, we're going to chat about what you should really be doing on the ClearanceJobs platform to get the most traction.This podcast is brought to you by the global defense team at Booz Allen Hamilton. Their experts leverage innovative technologies to aid work across the Department of Defense—delivering tomorrow's technologies at the heart of the mission. Interested in accelerating results across the warfighting lifecycle? Explore global defense careers at boozallen.com/DefenseCareers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More companies understand the risks of insider threats, but too many assume that addressing insider risk is a primarily government function. Trusted Workforce 2.0 has created continuous vetting and other solutions to help identify risks, sooner - but they're not the only options companies have today. Given the average insider risk incident will cost a company nearly 10 million, a small investment could provide big benefits. ClearanceJobs chats with Andrew Razumovsky, principal at CANDA Solutions, a security, risk management, and agile methodology company. Their Fresh Haystack solution creates integrated risk management. Andrew discusses the changing technology involved in addressing insider risk and why it's both a human and technology-centric problem. He also discusses the fallacy of assuming the government will address your insider threats for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 2023 Career Development Convention provides the resources and connections needed for successful employment and professional development. This completely free professional resource day for Veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members features a job fair, vendors, headshots, video profiles, and networking to help you advance your military transition and career. ClearanceJobs sat down with Jon Meadows and Jesse Sieff, the creative professionals behind this unique networking event, to discuss the importance of personal branding in your job search and what military veterans, spouses, and employers can expect from the event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's National Insider Risk Awareness Month, a month where companies and government agencies step out and look to step up their insider risk understanding. ClearanceJobs chatted with Dave Komendat, the former Chief Security Officer at Boeing, currently the president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, and recently named as an advisor for SIMS Software, a leading security information management system supporting the national security community and commercial sector in addressing insider risk.Insider threats are nothing new, and Komendat spent a career addressing security from a variety of levels. He learned the important art of not just understanding risk, but being able to convey it to the C-suite – which is a critical aspect of developing a successful security program. For too long, security was a stove-piped function without the proper crossover into other key company functions, like IT and human resources. Komendat talks about making the shift and other practical considerations for security programs and officers today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is there truly a rise in poppyseed related security clearance issues? Or is this another case of poppyseed subterfuge? A military memo from earlier this year warned service chiefs of the military branches of a rise in positive drug tests related to poppyseed consumption, noting some were being contaminated in harvest with morphine and codeine. Poppyseeds already have trace amounts of opium alkaloids which could cause a false positive. Security clearance legal correspondent Sean Bigley and ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer weigh the risks and possibilities of a poppyseed positive drug test. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you work in national security, you need to stay in the know on the changing government contracting landscape. Enter GovBrew, a free newsletter written by those in the know, to give you the news you need to know. Lindy Kyzer with ClearanceJobs chats with Shane Prosser, co-founder of GovBrew and co-founder and CEO of FalconTek. Prosser is a U.S. Army veteran who leveraged his security clearance to land a job working in national security, and then went on to co-found a company with his brother, Chad Prosser. The GovBrew newsletter was born out of their own efforts to gather the critical business intelligence they needed to be successful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Movie buff and security clearance aficionado Eric Pecinovsky, also known as the Vice President of Marketing for ClearanceJobs, joins Lindy Kyzer, director of content at ClearanceJobs and dedicated non-movie watcher to discuss the summer's hottest film, Oppenheimer. They ask such pivotal questions as - can you have spoilers in a movie made about the atomic bomb? Does a film like Oppenheimer help or hurt the world of national security recruiting? And is this the best film ever made by Christopher Nolan? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Security clearance topics remain in the news – but who are Special Security Officers (SSOs), and what role do they play in keeping classified programs safe? ClearanceJobs is joined by Mitch Lawrence, founder of Lawrence Solutions, and Peter Lapp, owner of PJ Lapp Consulting, to discuss their upcoming Special Security Officer Survival Course, why the role of SSO is important, and why it's critical for both government and industry to invest in the professionalization and advancement of the SSO.They offer a variety of tips for better understanding the role of SSO, from how it got its start in the Oppenheimer era, to why it remains a critical function today. Behind every cleared or classified program is a need for competent security professionals. With ongoing insider threats, data breaches, and an expanding catalog of counterintelligence issues affecting every company, big and small, investing in the people of security has perhaps never been more important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
ClearanceJobs chatted with Vince Virga, chairman and co-founder of Skillstorm. Skillstorm trains and deploys developers and tech talent to help assist companies and government agencies with their workforce needs. Skillstorm also works directly with talent to help them upskill or reskill into the most in-demand tech jobs, including working with service members through the Army and Air Force COOL programs, along with the Veterans Administration with the VET TEC program. Rather than simply focusing on certifications, Skillstorm focuses on outcomes, making sure veterans are matched into the right opportunity and that companies have the talent they need. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Alisha Jordan, education director at the National Cryptologic Foundation chats with ClearanceJobs about the role of the Foundation and their current efforts to help attract young people into cybersecurity and codebreaking careers. Cyber Saturday took place June 10, and brought together young people, mentors, and cybersecurity pros to help inspire the next generation. Learn more about the foundation and the history of cryptology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Every week, ClearanceJobs writes the Ask CJ column which answers questions asked on the ClearanceJobsBlog, an ecosystem where background investigators, Facility Security Officers (FSO) and other stakeholders in personnel vetting have discussed hot topics over the years. Today's episode of ClearedCast is a rundown on the highest viewed and engaged questions on the blog. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tune in to How Having the Freedom to Fail Makes the US Cyber Threat ReadyWhat does the future of the cyber threat landscape look like in the next year? Or decade? We don't know for sure how consequential it is, but we know the implications are heave with adversarial threats like China and Russia.To comment, ClearanceJobs welcomes ex-employee of the National Security Agency (NSA), William “Hutch” Hutchison, to the Security Clearance Careers Podcast (AKA ClearedCast). Hutch is the CEO and co-Founder of SimSpace. At US Cyber Command he was appointed through presidential order to create a team focused on defending US national infrastructure against state cyberthreats, training the 6000 Cyber Command operatives. Today he continues to serve as the Test Director for cyber operational assessments at the Department of Defense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Critics are saying there are too many people with access to classified information - but is that really the case? And when it comes to leaks, is creating fewer individuals who are close to classified information - but not vetted to see it - really the solution? ClearanceJobs sat down with Charles Phalen, former acting director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and current principal of CS Phalen & Associates. They discuss why personnel vetting is scrutinized following every major leak, why cutting the number of security clearances seems like a plausible solution (but isn't), and eApp and possible changes to the security clearance application process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
ClearanceJobs offers security clearance holders the annual Security Clearance Compensation report where we survey 50,000+ clearance holders in a variety of jobs, locations, agencies, and fields, to inform you on what the market is offering for your next salary negotiation. Interested in learning what the top paying jobs are on ClearanceJobs.com are today? Tune in to learn what companies are offering salaries of $200,000+ a year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Security clearances are in the news - and not in a good way. Whether you know national security or don't know what eligibility to access classified information is, the Jake Teixeira leak created a new wave of questions and issues around the security clearance process. Some critics questioned why a 21-year-old had a security clearance. Others are wondering if it's time to start monitoring social media for security clearance holders. Lindy Kyzer with ClearanceJobs and Sean Bigley, security clearance legal correspondent discuss the latest leak case and all of the blowback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary Henry Schlesinger (Rare Bird Books) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss two of the most mysterious and alluring forces in human history: sex and spying. He is a journalist and author proudly based out of NYC. What You'll Learn Intelligence The impact of sexpionage on history Debunking common “honey trap” myths Examples of weaponized seduction and leveraged love Cyber honey traps and digital sexpionage Reflections Psychological implications of love and lies The relationship between pop culture myths and historical truth And much, much more … Episode Notes Sex. Espionage. Sometimes they both overlap by accident...but sometimes it's entirely intentional. From Samson and Delilah in the Bible to the Profumo Affair that rocked British society in the 1960's, they are a heady and dramatic combination. But how is sex used in modern espionage? How do the professionals combine them, if indeed they do? What myths surround the use of both? How have men and women used sex and seduction to spy? To answer these questions and more, Andrew sat down with Henry Schlesinger to discuss his newest book, Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal, and Weaponized Love, which explores the fascinating relationship between sex and spying. And… You know about Benjamin Franklin in Paris as a “bon vivant, wily diplomat and aging lion,” but read Henry's article about him as the “Founding Forger” engaged in disinformation and fake news during the Revolution! Quote of the Week “The thing about espionage is that it encompasses the best in human beings and the worst and everything in between.” – Henry Schlesinger. Resources SURFACE SKIM *Andrew's Recommendation* “Security Implications of Polygraph Derived Homesexual Fantasies” See how much social mores have changed since 1985 *Featured Resource* Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal, and Love, Henry R. Schlesinger (Rare Bird, 2022) *Beginner Resources* The Stasi Spies Who Traded Sex for Secrets, Oliver Moody, The Times (2022) [Article] Romeo Spies, CIA (2018) [Article] The Brilliant MI6 Spy Who Perfected the Art of the ‘Honey Trap', Hadley Meares, Atlas Obscura (2017) [Article] The History of the Honey Trap, Philip Knightly, Foreign Policy (2010) [Article] DEEPER DIVE *SpyCasts* Mata Hari, The Spy with Dr. Julie Wheelwright (2019) Sexpionage with H. Keith Melton (2009) *Books* The Last Goodnight: A World War II Story of Espionage, & Betrayal, H. Blum (Harper, 2017) In the Garden of Beasts, E. Larson (Crown, 2011) Stalin's Romeo Spy, E. Draitser (Northwestern, 2010) Femme Fatale: Love, Lies, and Mata Hari, P. Shipman (Harper, 2008) *Articles* MEA staffer ‘honey trapped': What's the role of sex in spying?, A. Bhaskar, The Indian Express (2022) The making of an iconic image: Christine Keeler, 1963, Victoria and Albert Museum (n.d.) Christine Keeler obituary: the woman at the heart of the Profumo affair, P. Sanford, The Guardian (2017) The Honeytrap That Ensnared One Marine in a Sexpionage Case, C. Burgess, ClearanceJobs (2022) How to Use Sex Like a Russian Spy, P. Sullivan, Foreign Policy (2010) *Video* Spy History: King Goujian and the Boiled Seeds (2021) [Short Story] Spies & Spymasters Happy Hour | Soviet Romeo Spy Dmitri Bystrolyotov (2020) [SPY Program] The Spy Who Loved Me: When East German Spies Broke Hearts In The Cold War (2017) [Documentary] *Primary Sources* Delilah Betrays Samson, Judges 16, The Bible Sexpionage: Why We Can't Resist Those KGB Sirens, M. Dobbs, The Washington Post (1987) CIA Cover Exposed in Ghana, S. Meddis, USA Today (1985) Spying Casts Shadow Over Talks, R. Beeston & B. Gertz, The Washington Times (1987) Soviets Still Employed at Embassy in Moscow, B. Gertz, The Washington Times (1987) Testimony of George Karlin aka Yuri Krotkov (1969) *Wildcard Resource* From Russia With Love (1963) Bond: Honey Trapped or Honey Trapper? A little bit of both!