In the complex world of cleared recruiting, collaboration isn’t optional—it’s mission-critical. During this ClearanceJobs Connect panel, experts Panos Dimitriades (Leidos), Cory Klein (Tru-Vetting), and Kristin Sargent (Sargent Initiatives) explored how recruiters, HR, and security teams can work together to eliminate bottlenecks and improve hiring outcomes.
Panos, a talent acquisition leader at Leidos, emphasized that recruiters must understand all players in the process—HR, security, and compliance—because “there are non-negotiables we just can’t get around.” He noted that training, upfront collaboration, and automation are key to reducing rework and ensuring candidate transparency.
Cory highlighted the importance of educating candidates early about the SF-86, adjudicative guidelines, and clearance timelines. He reminded recruiters that “the whole person concept” matters—past mistakes don’t automatically disqualify a candidate, but honesty and clarity do.
From a business development lens, Kristin, founder of Sargent Initiatives, revealed how BD teams and recruiters can shape proposals before RFPs even drop. She explained how incumbents often write qualification requirements to fit existing personnel—and urged recruiters to help level the playing field by surfacing diverse, qualified talent early.
Together, the panelists agreed: the future of cleared hiring depends on transparency, communication, and process integration. In a field where one missed step can derail a mission, partnership is the ultimate competitive advantage.
