At ClearanceJobs Connect San Antonio, Mount Indie Founder & CEO Tommy Weinert delivered one of the most talked-about sessions of the day — a high-energy, boots-on-the-ground look at what cleared recruiting really demands in 2025.
Weinert opened with the theme that echoed throughout the entire conference: trust is the competitive differentiator. With cleared candidates receiving multiple calls a day, recruiters must show real authority — not just transactional outreach. Candidates respond to those who are closest to the mission, understand the program, and communicate like insiders rather than salespeople.
But trust is no longer just about winning talent—it’s tied directly to national security. Weinert broke down the alarming rise of Jasper Sleet, a North Korean–backed campaign using deepfakes, stolen identities, and AI-generated resumes to embed operatives inside U.S. companies, including government contractors. According to Weinert, recruiters are now the front line of defense — and 25% of credible infiltration attempts begin with resume submissions.
His prescription: tighter identity verification, no virtual backgrounds during interviews, structured red-flag drills with security teams, and strong recruiter instincts. “If something feels off, it probably is,” he emphasized.
Weinert also highlighted the future of recruiting: multi-channel outreach, better messaging, and smarter systems. Declining response rates are driven by AI-generated spam, not candidate disinterest. He demonstrated how high-ROI tools — including ATS data, ClearanceJobs Pulse, Live, workflows, and job-post insights — help recruiters move faster and stand out.
The takeaway was clear: in a chaotic market shaped by Doge, layoffs, competing offers, and increased insider-threat activity, recruiters who embrace trust, data, authenticity, and creativity will be the ones who win.
