ClearanceJobs recently sat down with Steve Cooper, senior VP of Government Services, Full Scope Government Solutions, a division of Softworld. We discussed the role of communication and partnerships when it comes to staffing in the defense industry, as well as how things have shifted in 2020. Softworld meets industry needs on the regular with technical staffing, recruiting, and project services. Softworld understands the staffing needs, engages key candidates, and provides pathways for success.

Communication and Partnership Pivotal Role in Staffing

The trust factor between customer and staffing firms is key. As time goes on and those relationships build, trust plays a key role in quality staffing options. Information and risk sharing helps to mature relationships. With communication at the core of the relationship, you can accomplish more together. A critical piece in the relationship is the level of understanding that Softworld has of its clients, as well as their understanding of Softworld. Knowing what challenges and priorities are being faced, helps those on “the other side” to adapt and work together better.

Forecasting is crucial – especially at the end of a calendar year. It’s important to understand upcoming needs and challenges. Knowing what’s coming up in the future helps staffing agencies to work to remain agile to meet the needs.

2020: The Year of Change

With the challenges of COVID-19 in 2020 and dealing with a full blown pandemic, it became clear that a defined approach was needed. For Softworld, that approach was one that focused on current customers and taking care of the people around them. It’s important to give current customers a great experience. In the year of trials and an ever changing environment, it became crystal clear how important it is to take care of who is in front of you. Often, when we do that, business still has a way of growing due to cared for customers and employees. Focusing on just taking care of each other can often lead to the rest of the details sorting themselves out.

Broadening customer bases can be important; however, 2020 helped to make the importance of supporting current customer bases crystal clear. The people are behind everything – even in business models. Remember the human element behind the work that we do, and 2020 has helped to define this.

Telework has also been a key change in federal agencies this year. Surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly, many projects are even ahead of schedule this year – despite the challenges of remote work. By adjusting the work-life balance challenges, people have been motivated to work and overcome challenges and setbacks. Adversity can be a driver for innovation. People can rise to the occasion to accomplish great work.

Trends and Themes in the Cleared Space

Cybersecurity continues to be an important issue that needs both leaders and tools to help us be on our game – offensively and defensively. Cyber attacks mutate every year, and businesses in the DoD continue to watch how Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) will affect contracts moving forward.

Steve shared, “Cybersecurity is now something that is baked into everything we do from analyzing threats, compliance, to building secure systems. The arrival of CMMC and the path to certification will only increase the need for these types of services in the Federal market.”

Cloud computing is also a key market. Steve said, “The dynamics of the federal cloud market continue to evolve as new players enter the market. We are seeing nearly every agency employ cloud strategy as a major component of their future landscape. While AWS continues to be the leader, we are seeing Azure level the playing field and new players with unique capabilities enter the game.” Many other companies are offering cloud services, which serves to advance capabilities with more companies entering the market with viable options.

Steve explained that artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics are growing areas, and Softworld is involved with programs that support NASA and the DoD. He says, “We are partnered with research institutions to test the validity of these approaches, of the delivery teams that bring them to life.”

Career Changes and Tweaks Welcome

This year has taught us all many things, and one of those lessons is that change is possible at any time. Softworld offers candidates the ability to explore possible career shifts at different points in their career. Some changes are easier than others, but there are steps you can take to bridge the gaps to make career adjustments and changes. Take what you already know and apply them to markets that are currently hot. You can build onto what you already have with certifications or added skillsets. Softworld supports education and can often help with acquiring certifications or pointing you in the right direction so you’re on the best path.

The key takeaway is to focus on tweaking as opposed to reinventing. Sometimes, a different angle is the needed ticket to finding a better career fit. Steve said, “Softworld’s commitment to Cloud, Cyber, and AI/ML offers unique opportunities for our consultants to take their careers to the next level using technologies that will shape the future of technology.”

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Jillian Hamilton has worked in a variety of Program Management roles for multiple Federal Government contractors. She has helped manage projects in training and IT. She received her Bachelors degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing from Penn State University and her MBA from the University of Phoenix.