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Security Clearance Careers Podcast
Space Squirrels, Uber Issues, Mushrooms at Work and Military Moves
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All topics were the top read news headlines over the last month (are you suprised?). From our flying squirrels in the race for space, side hustles and security protocols for uber journeys, ingesting the magic mushies at the encouragement of your benefits providers, and how to make your military move a seamless one. Sr. Editor Jill Hamilton and Content Marketing Manager Katie Helbling talk about all the implications.
This podcast is brought to you by the global defense team at Booz Allen.
From the Rocky Mountains to the bright lights of Japan, imagine yourself delivering technologies at the heart of defense missions at home or abroad. If you want to accelerate your career, explore global defense jobs at BoozAllen.com/DefenseCareers.
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The Future of the IC Workforce with the Intelligence and National Security Alliance
47:11|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.The Cleared Workforce and Maintaining an Edge in Defense and Intelligence Sectors
38:08|The ClearanceJobs Cleared Recruiting Guide is a comprehensive resource designed to assist recruiters and hiring managers in navigating the complexities of hiring candidates with security clearances. This guide offers insights into best practices, strategies, and tools for effectively sourcing, recruiting, and retaining professionals who possess the necessary clearances for sensitive or classified positions. It often includes:Understanding Security Clearances: An overview of different types of security clearances, the process for obtaining them, and the implications for both employers and employees.Recruitment Strategies: Tips on how to attract cleared candidates, including where to find them and how to market job opportunities effectively.Compliance and Regulations: Guidance on adhering to government regulations and ensuring that recruitment practices align with legal requirements for handling cleared candidates.Interviewing and Hiring: Best practices for interviewing cleared candidates, including questions to ask and how to assess their suitability for specific roles.Retention and Career Development: Strategies for retaining cleared employees and providing them with career development opportunities to ensure long-term engagement and satisfaction.Market Trends and Insights: Analysis of current trends in the cleared job market, including demand for certain skills and industries that are actively hiring.Overall, the guide serves as a valuable tool for organizations seeking to efficiently manage their cleared workforce and maintain a competitive edge in the defense and intelligence sectors.How to Negotiate a Higher Salary
18:47|Negotiating to get a high offer, whether it's for a job, a business deal, or any other opportunity, requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and communication skills. Malinda Coler Johnson, CEO and founder of Conversa AI (a software that allows you to identify qualified candidates quickly for your job openings) joins the podcast to talk all about money. We discuss things to avoid during money talks, how can recruiters identify candidates that are in their pay bands to avoid time wasting conversations, and how recruiters can negotiate requirements and/or better translate past candidate experiences to fill the current need and salary available.The 7 Second Resume Review Stat is a Lie
19:02|Every new year brings change, especially in the hiring process. To provide insights into what qualities hiring managers value in candidates this year, Resume Genius surveyed 625 managers across the United States to explore how each phase of the hiring process (such as applications, interviews, and skills assessments) impacts a hiring manager's decision to hire or not hire a candidate.Jill and Katie are going to touch on some of the factors that set candidates apart this year and into 2025.The survey and its results outline the latest criteria hiring managers use to determine the ideal job applicant — covering aspects such as the ideal resume length, interview red flags, and essential skills and qualifications they want to see in candidates this year.FTI's Holistic Approach to Hiring and Retaining Top Technologists with Tim Hinds
21:44|Tim Hinds, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, joined us on a recent episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, ClearedCast. We gained insights into FTI’s dynamic workplace culture and its focus on career development and individual success. Learn more about FTI and explore careers.Top Polygraph Questions from the Cleared Community
17:58|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.Will We See You at Connect on October 3?
22:20|ClearanceJobs Connect is now less than ONE MONTH away! The excitement is high and anticipation is building for the ONLY conference focused on cleared recruiting and security clearance process and policy on Oct. 3, at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, V.A.Hear all about it on this week's episode and click the link to register: https://about.clearancejobs.com/employers/events/clearancejobs-connect-2024Why You Don't Need to Impress Your Background Investigator
11:10|Applying for a security clearance is stressful. When you finally get in front of a background investigator, some applicants feel the pressure to impress that person and hopefully improve their clearance chances. Unfortunately, trying to butter up to your investigator won't make your process of getting a clearance any easier - and it could just make it more awkward.The 9/11 Generation: Still Coping with a Tragedy They Barely Understand
31:43|Although the September 11 terrorist attacks took place more than twenty years ago, their aftermath and impact are still being felt today. Yet few Americans are aware of how 9/11 continues to affect their lives, U.S. domestic and foreign policy, and the way the world views our country now. In his new book. CREATING AND FAILING THE 9/11 GENERATION (Routledge Press; July 2024), historian Matthew Warshauer presents a fascinating assessment of what he calls “the most momentous event in history since World War II,” framing his study on 9/11’s sustained impact on America’s youth. He joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to discuss.