Whether your last vacation gave you a feeling of wanting to switch up your life or you have always had a more international approach to life, the pull to the OCONUS (outside the continents United States) life is different for every person. So while you may agree with the myriad of benefits, figuring out how to make the OCONUS life happen with a national security job can seem impossible. Although shifting overseas priorities and COVID-19 have impacted different opportunities, according to ClearanceJobs annual compensation survey, 5% of the cleared population are living the OCONUS life.
OCONUS Options in National Security
The reality is that there are many organizations in national security that offer a variety of positions. Companies like CACI, Booz Allen, and GDIT are just a few of the long list of employers offering candidates the opportunities to live life abroad and support U.S. national security.
So, if you want to take that next step, there are a few ways to go about making the switch. First, it is best to start where you are, especially if you are working for a larger defense contractor. All too often in life, we have not because we ask not. So, ask around at work about potential contract opportunities for an OCONUS position. It’s hard enough to start working for a new employer – let alone adding a move to a new country on to that transition. So, if your current position is a dead end for OCONUS work, use the search term “OCONUS” when looking on ClearanceJobs. The benefit of this search is that it will turn up positions that might offer a little of CONUS and OCONUS, giving you some flexibility. Otherwise, just navigate to the filter for country, and select all the different countries you could be drawn to, and then begin checking out the different opportunities. You might be surprised that you’re just a few searches away from the Bahamas or United Kingdom.
