When a Veteran Lets Their Security Clearance Lapse

Carin Sendra is a US Air Force Veteran, has supported the defense industrial base as a contractor, and is currently seeking a new career in the uncleared job market. On this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, we discuss her past experience, the journey of the military transition, and tips for those currently job seeking and what your candidate online brand can do for you through the process.

Sendra is currently uncleared, and we also discuss the frustrations she has as a job seeker without a clearance.

Sendra’s experience in the service and contracting after separating

After separating in 2007 due to not passing  a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) which evaluated her airways at time of her TS/SCI evaluation, Sendra decided to move forward with transitioning out of the military and into the contracting world. She supported security operations for a few contractors until 2012. “When I got home from that last deployment, I said ‘I’m done’”.

Now, in a post 9/11 world without many deployed security officers overseas, her skillset may not be in demand as much as it was when she transitioned. And for someone who likes to be in the field and not restricted to a desk, finding the right career is tough.

Then her security clearance lapsed, which brought on new hurdles for the job search.

Tips for those that are transitioning out currently

Resumes: There is always some unconscious bias from the person reading your resume. Sendra notes that even though she had skills outside of her CV, she decided not to list them for fear of the pre-conceived notions the reader may have about her. Veterans should feel comfortable leaving some things out while tailoring their resume, especially if it doesn’t pertain to the job.

Creating your candidate brand: Be authentic while you are building your network and connections. Stay true to yourself, trust your own intuition, and build your own transition program if it doesn’t feel right to adopt the one given to you.

Applying to positions with an inactive clearance: Sendra notes that she has been told to apply to security clearance required positions, even though hers is inactive. She maintains that she can’t apply to contract roles, because hiring managers cherry pick candidates that already have a clearance. “It just caused more frustration,” she says – so manage your expectations as an applicant.

If you are looking for tips in the job search post military, both for cleared work as a current holder or one that is looking to get your clearance back, subscribe to our Security Clearance column at https://news.clearancejobs.com/category/security-clearance/.