If you already have a security clearance, you know it’s a sought-after attribute employers all over the country are looking for. Besides the skills and education you have, a security clearance tells employers you’re trustworthy and already vetted. And if they’re hiring for a position that requires a clearance, they know they’re not wasting their time with a candidate who might not get approved for a clearance at all.
But even though employers around the country might hope to hire you, you might have other plans in mind. Plans that don’t involve moving, and disrupting your life as little as possible while still pursuing new opportunities.
How to Find security clearance jobs in your area
Here are a few ways you can find security clearance jobs in your area (or the area you’d like to live in).
1. Lean on your existing local network
Networking is one of the best ways to find yourself in the position you want. Good working relationships with people who know people can help you find opportunities when you’re looking for a new job locally. And a recommendation from someone highly respected in your field can push your resume to the top of the stack.
2. Build a new network
If you know of a local company you’d like to work for, start by building connections with people within that company. Networking can be awkward whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, but it might just be your secret sauce to landing a new job. It doesn’t have to be in person, either. Networking often happens online, which can be more comfortable for some people especially if you’re reaching out to someone you haven’t met yet.
3. Company websites and social media
While you’re working on your relationships with individuals inside the company you hope to work with, go ahead and give the company a follow on social media and check their website. When there’s news about new contracts they’ve won or new projects they’re going to start working on which match your skills, you’ll be well-positioned to present yourself as an ideal candidate.
4. Use location filters
There are tens of thousands of job postings by employers looking to hire cleared candidates on ClearanceJobs, but you don’t need to sift through them to find one in your area.
Using the drop down menu under “State” at the top of the page, you can select your state to see only the cleared jobs available in your state. You can further narrow down your search by selecting a city from the “City” menu.
5. Search for remote work
Remote work is another option if you don’t mind working from home. While some employers might prefer you to come into the office, there are certainly thousands of employers offering remote positions as well.
To find them, select “Remote/Telecommute” under the “More” menu. You can still filter by clearance level, experience, and keywords to narrow down the list of available jobs.
New Job Doesn’t Have to Mean New Location
Getting a new job doesn’t mean having to change everything about your life, and it doesn’t have to mean moving to a new city, either. You can find cleared jobs in your area by networking and using technology to save time in your job search and help you find the best-fitting position for both your skills and your life choices
