Recruiters remain the heartbeat of national security hiring. In a contracting environment where one cleared hire can make or break a program, talent acquisition isn’t just important—it’s mission critical. The 2025 ClearanceJobs Cleared Recruiting Guide reveals how recruiters are adapting to a year marked by budget cuts, hiring freezes, and shifting workforce demands.
Teams Under Pressure
62% percent of recruiters say their current team structure helps manage burnout, but inefficiencies persist. Nearly 40% report multiple recruiters contacting the same candidates, and more than a quarter say silos still slow collaboration. Clearly defined roles and centralized pipelines are proving key to faster hires.
AI and Automation Accelerate Hiring
Manual recruiting is fading fast. 66% percent of recruiters have automated at least part of their process, while 60% are using AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, or Jasper. These technologies are delivering faster timelines, better candidate communication, and increased screening accuracy.
The Recruiting Funnel
Hiring remains a numbers game. 30% of recruiters say they need 6–10 candidates in their funnel to make a hire, while more than a quarter succeed with just five or fewer. But technical and polygraph-required roles still stretch timelines, with only 3% filled in under 20 days.
Pain Points in 2025
The number one recruiting challenge remains the limited cleared talent pool—cited by 56% of recruiters. Remote work expectations add another hurdle, with many candidates rejecting roles that lack flexibility. And compensation remains a sticking point: 43% of offer rejections are due to competing offers, while 30% stem from unsatisfactory pay.
Moving Forward
Despite the challenges, most recruiters remain optimistic. Two-thirds report satisfaction with their work, citing mission focus and the impact they make in the defense sector. The bottom line: recruiters who leverage data, embrace automation, and adapt to candidate expectations will lead the way in one of the most complex hiring landscapes yet.
For the full data and insights, download the 2025 Cleared Recruiting Guide.
