Recruiting has always been hard, but in the cleared space it’s becoming nearly impossible. That was the message from Mount Indie Founder Tommy Weinert during his session at ClearanceJobs Connect, where he shared insights from more than 15 years of experience in government contracting and cleared talent acquisition.
Weinert highlighted how recruiting in national security has shifted dramatically. Salaries for technical roles have skyrocketed—sometimes reaching $250,000 for candidates with just a few years of experience. Meanwhile, recruiters are still tied to outdated contract labor categories, forcing them to navigate a widening gap between government budgets and candidate expectations.
But the biggest threats may come from outside the industry. Weinert detailed cases of synthetic operatives—remote workers using stolen identities, deepfake technology, and fake documentation—making their way into cleared companies. Overemployment fraud, where candidates secretly hold two full-time defense jobs, is also on the rise. Both pose risks not just to companies, but to national security itself.
Amid these challenges, Weinert stressed that recruiters must lean on instinct, process, and community. Spotting fraud often comes down to gut feelings—pauses in an interview, a monotone voice, or a detail that doesn’t add up. He also urged recruiters to think like marketers, building engagement and visibility to attract talent rather than relying solely on cold outreach.
Technology, too, has a role. AI tools can help recruiters clean up job descriptions, summarize interviews, and streamline candidate communication. But Weinert cautioned against overreliance: guardrails and human judgment remain essential.
His closing advice was clear: success in cleared recruiting isn’t about secrets—it’s about sharing knowledge, building community, and staying alert to a rapidly changing environment.
