In today’s national security market, cleared recruiting is moving faster than ever—while the talent pool feels tighter than ever. That’s the core message from our recent webinar, “How Cleared Recruiting Has Changed in the Last 10 Years: Insights from Amentum.” Hosted by Jill Hamilton, Content Director at ClearanceJobs, the session features Amentum leaders Jasmine Holmes, Jason Cerrato, and Keithon Corpening on what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what’s coming next.
Competition in a Shrinking Cleared Talent Pool
A decade ago, cleared recruiting was competitive. Today, it’s cutthroat. Corpening, a program manager with 15 years in the space, highlighted the “race to respond” as AI-powered search tools and more aggressive outreach compress timelines. Everyone is chasing the same core group of cleared professionals, and organizations that wait weeks to follow up are simply out.
Holmes, a recruiter, underscored another challenge: fewer candidates entering intelligence and national security roles. That’s pushing employers to “make cleared careers cool again” by emphasizing mission, growth, and the real-world impact of the work.
Tech Is Faster — But People Still Win
Cerrato, who leads global talent acquisition and strategic workforce planning at Amentum, described how AI, automation, and virtual recruiting have transformed processes. Tools streamline outreach, scheduling, and market intelligence, freeing recruiters to focus on deeper relationships, not just transactions.
Holmes cautioned, though, that over-automation can make candidates feel like “just another number.” Amentum deliberately uses AI for efficiency—not as a substitute for human connection. Phone calls, referrals, and real conversations still drive trust in a space where security, discretion, and mission matter.
Candidate Experience, Retention, and the Next Era
Today’s cleared candidates want more than a paycheck: they expect work-life balance, transparent communication, and clear career progression. That’s where culture becomes the differentiator. Corpening pointed to Amentum’s emphasis on mission support, leadership engagement, and professional growth as key to retention.
Looking ahead, the panel expects skills-based hiring, new clearance pathways, and continuous learning to define the next decade of cleared recruiting—alongside a continued push to attract veterans and new generations into national security careers.
For employers and recruiters, the takeaway is clear: in a tighter, faster market, the organizations that win will be those that pair smart technology with authentic, mission-driven relationships.
