A job seeker messaged me on LinkedIn Thursday after work hours and asked if I was recruiting for cleared roles. On Friday at 6:18PM I said I wasn’t a recruiter, but asked if they had a profile on ClearanceJobs. They sent 3 or 4 messages over the weekend with a final message on Monday asking to be referred to someone who can assist them. “Please and Thank You”. Patience can go a long way when interacting with recruiters or anyone working in the hiring sector of this space. While persistence is appreciated, understanding and respecting others’ time is equally important. That wasn’t even giving me a full business day to respond!
This reminded me about how in the high-stakes world of cleared recruiting persistence has long been a hallmark of success when it comes to recruiters. With specialized roles, strict security requirements, and a limited talent pool, recruiters often have to work harder and follow up more frequently than their counterparts in the commercial market. But while follow-up is critical with candidates, there’s an equally important skill that can make or break recruiter relationships when filling billets: patience.
Persistence with Purpose
Recruiters know the value of staying top of mind. A well-timed check-in can be the nudge a candidate or hiring manager needs to move a process forward. But there’s a fine line between showing interest and overwhelming a contact. In the cleared space, where hiring processes often involve extended timelines due to background checks, contract approvals, or government budget cycles, overzealous outreach can have the opposite effect, creating friction instead of momentum.
Persistence is absolutely important, but it has to be balanced with respect for the other person’s time and constraints. The best recruiters know when to push and when to step back.
For cleared candidates, communication overload can quickly sour their perception of an opportunity. Many are juggling demanding roles within the national security sector and may not be able to respond right away. Others are deep in the clearance process, where updates may be sparse for weeks or even months.
Understanding the pace of the cleared hiring process is crucial. Candidates will appreciate a recruiter who stays engaged without creating pressure. That builds trust, and trust is what leads to long-term relationships.
Hiring managers in the cleared space are also operating under unique constraints. Contract changes, security reviews, and agency approvals can all impact timelines. Recruiters who respect these realities and communicate them effectively to candidates can strengthen relationships on both sides.
Patience, paired with strategic follow-ups, signals professionalism and reliability…two traits valued highly in the security community.
Best Practices for Balancing Persistence and Patience
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Set Expectations Early – Let candidates and clients know about potential clearance or contract-related delays upfront.
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Use Quality Over Quantity – Make each follow-up meaningful by including updates, resources, or relevant industry news.
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Respect Time Boundaries – Avoid excessive calls or emails within short timeframes unless there’s a legit update.
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Track Touchpoints – Maintain a clear record of communications to prevent unintentional over-contact.
In the cleared recruiting arena, timing is everything. Persistence keeps you visible, but patience ensures you remain respected. The recruiters who master both will find themselves building stronger networks, closing more placements, and earning a reputation as trusted partners in the national security hiring ecosystem.
THE CLEARED RECRUITING CHRONICLES: YOUR WEEKLY DoD RECRUITING TIPS TO OUT COMPETE THE NEXT NATIONAL SECURITY STAFFER.
