   Security clearance for jobs
  While applying for jobs online, Im notince that a LOT of jobs, especailly government/military related ones, have requirements for security clearance.I must have seen about 20 different types so far, here are some:Nato Secret Security ClearanceTop SecretSecretLevel 1, 2, 3etc etc etcThey are just listed in the "requirements" section of the job posting, for example:- 2 years c++ experience- ability to work efficiently in a team setting- experience with MS SQLServer database- Nato Secret Security ClearanceDoes this mean that they dont provide the clearance tests for you? It seems like you are already supposed to have it before applying. But I always thought, that if you got accepted for the job, then they would test you to make sure, and give you the clearance. If this isnt the case, where /how are you supposed to get the clearance? You just go to some place and say "I want level 3 security clearance" ? It seems kind of wierd to have to do that if you dont have a job lined up that requires it first. Especially if it costs a lot of money to get the clearance. Because your not guaranteed to get the job at this point.Anyone know how this all works?Im in Canada by the way, if that makes a difference. 
  I don't know anything about Nato security clearances, but the employer will arrange for a security clearence check once you get the job.  It takes a while in some cases, a friend of mine made the mistake of going to Ireland after graduation but before job hunting, and his clearence has taken 8 months.Putting it on the requirements list just ensures that terrorists will know not to bother applying.*edit: I just saw your claim about Canadia.  The above applies to the US.CM   [edited by - Conner McCloud on February 19, 2004 3:24:27 PM];  Here''s the skinny.  If someone places a job listing a security clearance, they either want you to have that clearance already, or to be able to obtain it quickly.  Like say they want a Top Secret clearance, and you have secret (TS is one higher), then they might consider you since you already have a clearance and would probably be able to get the next one.  However, these things take alot of time to process, so if it''s a position they need immediately, you''re probably SOL if you don''t have any clearance currently.  I applied for clearance through my company about 14 months ago, and they''re just now processing my application.The other catch 22 is that if you don''t have clearance, it''s way too costly to try to pay for by yourself, so you need to get a job where the employer pays for it (all the ones that I know of that require it will pay for the processing fees).  But you can''t get the job unless you''ve got a clearance.  It can be a real pain in the butt, especially for employers.  That''s why people in DC who have clearance don''t have to worry about finding a job.  They''ll get snatched up in a heartbeat. ;  Thanks guys.So basically this sucks. ;quote:Original post by AndreTheGiant  Thanks guys.So basically this sucks.  Well, one thing you can try to do is get a job working at a company that hires people with clearance, at a position that doesn''t require one.  Then tell them that one of your goals is to apply for clearance, and they might be able to pay for your processing if they have a need for more people with clearance. ;  Hmm Considering how many jobs ive applied to in the last few months, and how many people have actually gotten back to me, Im thinking that I cant be picky AT ALL with what job I get. Im afraid one lifetime isnt long enough to be able to find a job with no clearance that is related to one that requires clearance, and then get job A, move to job B, and then find another job C that has one level higher clearance, and get that job, all the way up to job J so I can get level 10 clearance just so I can get the job I wanted in the first place. I''d be 80 years old by then. ;  Funny that this should come up because I was recently hired by a company that does contract work for the government and requires a security clearance.  My employer is paying the processing fee and I have spent the last couple of days filling out the form they sent me on a CD.  Its a pain to fill out they because they want you to list names/dates/addresses for things going back 10 years, I have a hard time remembering things from last year!  I remember talking to a couple of the employess when I interviewed and they said it takes about a year for them to process your info and issue a clearance.   "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, drown a man in the water and the fish will eat for a week! ;quote:Original post by Conner McCloud  It takes a while in some cases, a friend of mine made the mistake of going to Ireland after graduation but before job hunting, and his clearence has taken 8 months.Actually most cases nowadays. They do real checks, not just checking immigration/passport records. In fact, I know someone who worked in the white house pre-nixon and the WH security clearance was amazingly through...They dug up lists of magazine subscriptions from at least 10 years prior, they really know how to research a person. 