I recently got a message from a candidate frustrated by rescinded tentative job offers while they were in the middle of the top secret clearance process. They wanted to know: was it something in their background? Was the security clearance to blame?
Here’s the truth: often, it’s neither. What you’re seeing is the messy overlap between employment timelines and the security clearance process.
Right now, the published average for a top secret clearance is 243 days — that’s more than half a year. Anecdotally, many are seeing it take even longer. So, when an employer makes you a tentative offer but then finds someone who already holds a clearance, or realizes they simply can’t keep the position unfilled for that long, that’s usually when the offer gets pulled.
It’s frustrating, but it’s not necessarily a reflection on you or your background. It’s the system. Employers may need to fill a slot quickly. Contract timelines shift. And while you’re waiting, someone else with the right clearance in hand can step right in.
So what can you do? First, make sure your own background and application are as clean as possible — no missing information, no avoidable red flags. Second, seek out employers who understand and are willing to go the distance with you. Transparency helps; recruiters should be upfront about how long they can realistically wait for a clearance to process.
At the end of the day, you can’t make a cleared hire without the clearance process. And until timelines shorten, patience and clear communication will be key for both candidates and recruiters navigating these delays.
