Security Clearance Careers Podcast

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.